★[2023 Rice] Naturally Grown Rice by Kazuhiro Matsumoto Asahi

[2023 Harvest] Naturally Grown Rice by Kazuhiro Matsumoto Asahi

Master rice craftsman of naturally grown rice, Kazuhiro Matsumoto

The Phantom Rice

Asakura City is located in the southeast of Fukuoka Prefecture, and Kazuhiro Matsumoto has been farming here for generations. After conventional farming and organic, pesticide-free farming, he began natural farming in 2007. Asahi is a very old variety of rice currently in production. It is the only native variety of rice that has not been artificially bred among those currently in circulation.
It is the root of Koshihikari, Sasanishiki, and Akitakomachi, and its deliciousness has been recognized by many people, so much so that there is a saying, "Kame no O in the east, Asahi in the west." Because it is difficult to grow in modern agriculture, the number of growers is decreasing, and some people call it a "phantom rice."

The roots of modern rice

As you can see from the rice genealogy, "Asahi" on the far left is the root of modern rice. It is said that all rice originated from "Asahi" and "Kamenoo". Compared to Sasanishiki, it is more suited to the climate of Western Japan, and because the shape of the rice plant and the base are sturdy and each stalk is thick, it will not fall over even when it grows tall. Matsumoto collects the seeds in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and grows it himself.

*The rice on the right is Asahi, and the one on the left is Sasanishiki. When I went to talk to Matsumoto about natural farming, he cooked the naturally grown rice in the stove. We waited patiently for several tens of minutes. When the lid of the stove was opened, a large cloud of steam rose up all over the place under the cold sky. The cooked rice was fresh and glossy, and when I took a bite, all I could think was, "It's delicious!"
With miso soup made with natural rice miso (containing Matsumoto's potatoes and carrots and onions grown by organic growers in other prefectures), naturally grown pickled radishes, and roasted seaweed that had been treated to make them acid-free in Izumi, the eight cups of cooked rice were gone in no time.

One Mind and One Technique

Matsumoto, who values ​​connections with consumers and personally hosts farming experiences and discussion meetings with consumers, strongly advocates that "natural farming should not become just about technology. Natural farming producers are consumers before they are producers. That is why I think it is important to live in harmony with nature not only in agriculture, but in all aspects of life, including food, clothing, and shelter."

Natural farming is said to be about "developing people, soil, and seeds." Matsumoto says, "Not only is it important to develop the soil and seeds, but the underlying idea - developing people - is the most important thing," and he lives his own life in harmony with nature.
"When consumers look at the fields and crops, they can tell how the producers live and think. Therefore, I would like to always think of myself as a consumer and continue to practice a life in harmony with nature." Matsumoto also values ​​interactions with the local community.
"Ultimately, I want to see a world where farming without the use of pesticides or fertilizers is the norm. To achieve this, it's important that change occurs not just in my own area, but on a community level as well. That's why I try to actively participate in local activities so that local people can get to know about us," he says.
I was impressed by the fact that he wasn't just satisfied with the quality of his own fields, but was instead thinking ahead several decades into the future.