Rice Field Art Created in Paddies in Shiga Prefecture

The Suikei Yumenosato Iinkai, a group promoting local development of the Suikei area in Maki-cho, Omihachiman City in Shiga Prefecture, has been creating rice field art since 2007. They plant two types of rice--regular rice and Kodaimai rice--having different colors on the ears and leaves in patterns of pictures and letters in rice fields approximately 0.4 hectares in size, which subsequently emerge as beautiful works of art as they grow. With support from local farmers and residents, the group has worked on various patterns such as dragonflies, giraffes and yearly animal symbols associated with the Chinese zodiac signs. Perspective techniques were incorporated into the design-making to provide a better view from higher ground.

In 2010, rice planting is scheduled for late May, which will allow the art to be viewed from mid-June through late October. This has become one of the area's annual events along with scarecrow-making, the harvest festival and rice harvesting, all of which provide the community with opportunities to experience farming and interact with people of various ages. They have also launched a business to utilize the rice field art as an eco-friendly advertisement tool and are currently seeking sponsors interested in publicity as a supporter of environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.

The Suikei Yumenosato Iinkai was formed in 2005, mainly by the members involved in the reclamation development project in the Suikei area with a mission of local development and regional planning to build an attractive community. The group has been addressing global warming issues through efforts such as developing a small-scale hydroelectric system at an existing water pumping facility which is operated year-round, and planting trees in unused lands to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Posted: 2010/04/27 06:00:15 AM