Japanese Emperor Naruhito harvested rice at the Imperial Palace on September 4.

Harvested at the paddy field were 20 stalks of two kinds of rice: the Japonica rice variety “Nihonmasari” and the glutinous variety “Mangetsumochi.” 

Rice cultivation at the palace was started by Showa Emperor Hirohito and has been passed down to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and now to the current Emperor.

The Emperor engages in this annual activity out of a desire to cherish rice cultivation, which is at the heart of Japan’s agricultural culture.

When he took the fully ripened rice in his hands, he skillfully harvested it with a sickle.

The rice was grown from seeds sown and planted by the Emperor himself.

This year, they grew well and are said to have a yield comparable to an average year.

The rice will be used in imperial ceremonies, such as the Niiname-sai, an annual Shinto ritual where the Emperor offers the first rice of the year to the gods, expressing gratitude for the harvest and praying for the prosperity of the nation.

Some of the rice plants will be sent to Ise Jingu, meaning Ise Shrine, in Mie Prefecture, which is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and mythological ancestor of the Japanese Imperial family.