How lovely to find your post. We visited Kami Katsu last spring after we finished walking the Shikoku 88. We were lucky and heading north so caught several peak Sakura days as we headed north and sometimes up in altitude. I personally liked following the strawberry season also.
which I might have to upgrade to, from their free newsletter, but would be interested in if you have any 72 seasons websites, apps, newsletters, or calendars to recommend.
Thank you for your comment, Carol! I had no idea that the app was discontinued. That makes me sad, but it also nudges me to observe and write about the microseasons. I haven't heard of the Spoon & Tamago site, but it seems very beautiful. An acquaintance also offers a journal based on the microseasons, which may be an interesting offering. https://www.momokonakamura.com/microseasonal-journaling
Hope you enjoyed your time in Japan and Kamikatsu! I'm so glad you had a chance to visit the village and see sakura!
I love the sensory experience of reading your post. I’ve never visited Japan and it helps me to understand the landscape and culture. Thank you for your beautiful insights 🌸
I read your post as I sat overlooking rice fields (Sawah) in Bali. It's getting more and more rare to have an unobstructed view of the rice fields. It's one of the most beautiful sights indeed.
The sight of the Sakura is so lovely - an ivory and shell-pink drift across the valley. The image of the houses emerging from that drift was beautiful (and quite emotional).
I appreciate the communal aspect of the rice farming as well. Sometimes broadacre farming just loses that community spirit. Thank you for a perfect newsletter.
You should write the captions for all the photos!! (I mean, 'an ivory and shell-pink drift across the valley' is so beautiful!!!) Thank you so much for this comment, it made me smile!
Thanks for sharing the vivid description and beautiful photos of early spring. We're seeing similar sights down in Kyushu.
As a transplanted city boy, I largely remain just an observer of all of the activities of the farmers. It would, therefore, be useful if you would provide an explanation of the various sequential steps necessary for rice cultivation along with an approximate timeline. Thanks!
If you get a chance you might enjoy reading Masanobu Fukuoka's 'The One-Straw Revolution'. He lived on the other side of the mountains from you, Ehime Prefecture, and explored non-tillage farming and such. Many of his thoughts align quite well with your village's zero-waste efforts.
I've read his book! It was very insightful (even radical!) While I wouldn't say that's the norm here, we have a friend who's a natural & organic farmer who follows many of his practices.
How lovely to find your post. We visited Kami Katsu last spring after we finished walking the Shikoku 88. We were lucky and heading north so caught several peak Sakura days as we headed north and sometimes up in altitude. I personally liked following the strawberry season also.
You mentioned seasonal changes in Japan. We used a beautiful free app 72 seasons, while we were in Japan https://www.kurashikata.com/72seasons/
but unfortunately it was discontinued this past February. Spoon and Tomago does have a 72 seasons email as a part of their annual membership ($50) https://www.spoon-tamago.com/japan-72-microseasons-newsletter/
which I might have to upgrade to, from their free newsletter, but would be interested in if you have any 72 seasons websites, apps, newsletters, or calendars to recommend.
Thank you for your comment, Carol! I had no idea that the app was discontinued. That makes me sad, but it also nudges me to observe and write about the microseasons. I haven't heard of the Spoon & Tamago site, but it seems very beautiful. An acquaintance also offers a journal based on the microseasons, which may be an interesting offering. https://www.momokonakamura.com/microseasonal-journaling
Hope you enjoyed your time in Japan and Kamikatsu! I'm so glad you had a chance to visit the village and see sakura!
I love the sensory experience of reading your post. I’ve never visited Japan and it helps me to understand the landscape and culture. Thank you for your beautiful insights 🌸
The countryside is definitely a different experience from the big/main cities, I hope you can visit one day, Lisa 🌸
Beautiful pictures Kana, thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much, Pennie!
I read your post as I sat overlooking rice fields (Sawah) in Bali. It's getting more and more rare to have an unobstructed view of the rice fields. It's one of the most beautiful sights indeed.
The rice fields in Bali must be so incredible, I would love to see it in person one day! Thank you!
The sight of the Sakura is so lovely - an ivory and shell-pink drift across the valley. The image of the houses emerging from that drift was beautiful (and quite emotional).
I appreciate the communal aspect of the rice farming as well. Sometimes broadacre farming just loses that community spirit. Thank you for a perfect newsletter.
You should write the captions for all the photos!! (I mean, 'an ivory and shell-pink drift across the valley' is so beautiful!!!) Thank you so much for this comment, it made me smile!
Thanks for sharing the vivid description and beautiful photos of early spring. We're seeing similar sights down in Kyushu.
As a transplanted city boy, I largely remain just an observer of all of the activities of the farmers. It would, therefore, be useful if you would provide an explanation of the various sequential steps necessary for rice cultivation along with an approximate timeline. Thanks!
That's such a wonderful suggestion. Thank you, Mark! I will try to share the timeline along the way this season. Enjoy the changing seasons in Kyushu!
Many thanks in advance. Please augment your writing with photos, if possible.
If you get a chance you might enjoy reading Masanobu Fukuoka's 'The One-Straw Revolution'. He lived on the other side of the mountains from you, Ehime Prefecture, and explored non-tillage farming and such. Many of his thoughts align quite well with your village's zero-waste efforts.
I've read his book! It was very insightful (even radical!) While I wouldn't say that's the norm here, we have a friend who's a natural & organic farmer who follows many of his practices.
A drip from the rain until the rice Japanese flower drops our grain bowl.💧🌧️🎴💮💦🌾🍚
A full circle 🌾