〈 Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture 〉 Kazuichi Kawachi
★ [2023 Rice] Hinohikari, naturally grown rice by Kazukazu Kawachi
★ [2023 Rice] Hinohikari, naturally grown rice by Kazukazu Kawachi
[2023 harvest] Hinohikari rice grown naturally by Kazukazu Kawachi
"Kumamoto's natural farming is based on riverbeds"
Decision made 30 years ago
Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. Kazukazu Kawachi practices natural farming in this land where the clear waters of the Yoshimuta spring flow.
We have been practicing pesticide-free farming since 1987, and natural farming since 2004.
In addition to rice, Purely also receives a constant supply of naturally grown vegetables throughout the year.
We have been working with Purely since its founding, and they are one of Kumamoto's leading natural farming farmers, so much so that it is said that "Kumamoto's natural farming is all about the river."
The reason why Kawachi started farming without pesticides was because of his father's death.
"My father passed away at a young age. I thought there was no way that using pesticides as a matter of course had no effect on him. Thirty years ago, I made the decision that I would never use pesticides when growing crops."
Delicious rice grown from the Yoshimuta water source, one of Japan's 100 famous water sources
Mr. Kawachi has been a farmer for generations at the foot of the Yoshimuta water source in Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, which has been selected as one of the 100 famous waters in Japan.
The Yoshimuta Water Source is a water source that was created during the Edo period through the planting of 2.4 million trees.
The abundant spring water that gushes forth irrigates the local town of Mifune, and is a famous source of water that many people from the surrounding area come to collect.
Spring water from the Yoshimuta water source flows directly into Kawachi's rice fields, and the mineral-rich water helps to grow delicious rice.
Kawachi's naturally grown rice plants When people hear the term "natural cultivation," some may mistakenly think it means a cultivation method that involves no fertilizer and is left unchecked.
However, Kawachi says that in fact, "natural cultivation is the most labor-intensive."
Because it does not use pesticides or fertilizers, this farming method is very difficult for farmers.
Pesticides not only kill pests, they also kill beneficial microorganisms that live in the soil.
This causes the soil to become depleted and more fertilizer must be applied.
Applying extra fertilizer introduces new diseases and pests, and leads to further pesticide use.
And Kawachi says that crops grown in such a environment, soaked in pesticides and fertilizers, "may look good, but the vegetables have weak resistance to diseases and insects."
That's why Kawachi is so particular about "soil preparation."
If vegetables are grown in rich soil, they do not require pesticides or fertilizers.
Every day they work to prepare the soil so that it drains well, retains water, and is warm.
Kawachi's naturally grown rice fields in summer.
Newts, frogs, diving beetles, water striders...
The rice fields are located on terraced mountain slopes, with Mt. Iida, Kawachi's favorite mountain, towering before him.
"There are all kinds of animals here, including newts, frogs, diving beetles, and water striders. We haven't used any pesticides for about 20 years." When I went to the side of the rice field, I was told, "This is an irrigation channel just for newts."
Amazingly, they even built an irrigation channel so that the newts that live there can survive the winter.
Mr. Kawachi thinks about the newts when he farms. I really feel the kindness of nature.
You can also see Japanese snails, which are now in decline.
This place is also the starting point of Kawachi's picture book "Gao."
They happily explained the scenes from the picture book to us, and we all couldn't help but smile.
Rice and vegetables grown using natural farming methods are easily affected by the condition of the soil and the weather, and there can be variations in how they grow.
"Even so, I'm moved by the way they put down roots and try so hard to live and grow," says Kawachi. "Naturally grown vegetables are, frankly, a little pale in color, small in size, and unattractive to look at, but when you eat them, they're completely different. They have no bitterness or harshness, and the natural sweetness of the vegetables really stands out." It was impressive to hear Kawachi talk happily, holding the harvested vegetables in his hands.
Artists and organic farmers
Mr. Kawachi is also actively involved in revitalizing the Mifune town area.
For the local festival held every summer in Mifune town, Kawachi has been taking the lead in creating a dinosaur Nebuta that is four meters long.
As of last year, a total of three Nebuta have been made.
A masterpiece by Kawachi, a dinosaur Nebuta.
It was very impressive.
Before and after the festival, they are exhibited at various facilities within the prefecture, making them highly sought after in all areas.
He also created a picture book called "Grrr!", which is based on that dinosaur, and handled everything from illustrations to text, making his debut as a picture book author.
Mr. Kawachi is both a "natural farmer" and an "artist." This year's naturally grown rice, which survived the earthquake, is especially delicious, with Mr. Kawachi's thoughts even more infused into it.
Hinohikari, home-grown seeds for over 10 years
Kawachi continues to collect the seeds of naturally grown Hinohikari rice every year.
Hinohikari is a rice variety that has excellent flavor, with fluffy cooked rice and a subtle sweetness. It is a representative variety of Kumamoto.
Hinohikari seeds have been harvested for over 10 years.
It is characterized by its fluffy cooked rice and delicious taste.
Kawachi's naturally grown Hinohikari rice, which is made using spring water from the Yoshimuta water source and terraced rice fields in the mountains, has a unique aroma when cooked.
It has a nice natural rice aroma.
First, try eating it with just the rice.
You will surely be surprised at how delicious it is. Please give it a try.
Varieties
Varieties
Hinohikari
Producer
Producer
Kazuichi Kawachi
Producing area
Producing area
Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture
Farming method
Farming method
Natural cultivation (for over 10 years)
Species Information
Species Information
Home-grown seeds from Hinohikari
Size and Capacity
Size and Capacity
3kg and 5kg
Special Packaging-Kraft Paper Rice Bag
For customers who have chemical sensitivities or are concerned about odor transfer, we offer special packaging (for a fee).
If you would like, please also add the following items to your cart:
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[Special packaging] Inner and outer plastic bag packaging, no newspaper used (craft paper and air packing used)
Regular price ¥660Regular priceUnit price / per -
[Special packaging] No cellophane tape or back sealing tape used + inner and outer plastic bag packaging, no newspaper used (craft paper and air packing used)
Regular price ¥990Regular priceUnit price / per