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〈 Shichijocho, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture 〉 Tomita Chikayoshi

★ [2023 Rice] Hinohikari, naturally grown rice by Tomita Chikayoshi

★ [2023 Rice] Hinohikari, naturally grown rice by Tomita Chikayoshi

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[Harvested in 2023]

Chikayoshi Tomita: Hinohikari rice grown naturally

A pioneer of Kumamoto's naturally grown rice


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


Shichijocho, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture.


This area is nationally famous as one of Japan's leading rice-producing areas, and here you can find Tomita Chikayoshi, who has been engaged in natural rice and field farming for many years.


Inspired by the teachings of Mokichi Okada, the founder of natural farming, he has been growing rice without fertilizer or pesticides for the past 40 years.


Due to its high quality, it is well known nationwide and sells out quickly when it goes on regular sale.


In addition, as chairman of the Kyushu block of the National Natural Farming Extension Association, Mr. Tomita is also working hard to promote natural farming in rice and field crops.


Naturally grown rice, midsummer gifts, and rice for the elderly


Tomita's naturally grown Hinohikari rice is densely packed with grains.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


When the time came to harvest, the naturally grown rice had produced bountiful grains.


Tomita's naturally grown rice fields and farm are located near the Melon Dome, a famous attraction in Shichijo Town.


The Hasama River, a tributary of the Kikuchi River, flows nearby, and in autumn it is a pleasant place where cosmos flowers bloom all over the place.


The Tomita family, including his daughter Saki and son Kazutaka, are the successors of his farming and rice cultivation and are engaged in natural farming.


He works on the naturally grown rice fields together with his son, Kazutaka.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


Mr. Tomita checks on the growth of the rice. He visits the rice fields every day to check on the condition of the rice.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


Mr. Tomita talks about his efforts in organically grown rice. The words of someone with 30 years of experience carry weight.


It was more than 40 years ago that Tomita decided to cultivate his crops without fertilizer or pesticides.


"What was the trigger? If I may sound arrogant, I guess it was because I was scared of what the future holds for the Earth due to environmental pollution. When I was around 20 years old, I felt a sense of crisis about the fact that agriculture, which uses pesticides and chemical fertilizers as a matter of course, is polluting the Earth. So I asked an instructor at the agricultural cooperative, 'How can we grow rice without using fertilizers or pesticides?' But he made fun of me (laughs)."


Nowadays, the terms pesticide-free, organic, and natural farming have become common, but back then, in the midst of Japan's rapid economic growth, pesticides and chemical fertilizers were in their heyday, and people who thought like Tomita were very few and far between.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


A rice field with a rich, clear stream. In the babbling stream, there were beetles and pond snails.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


Mr. Tomita is engaged in lively conversation in front of the naturally grown rice fields.


"It's not good to act like you've come a long way. I am who I am today thanks to the efforts of my predecessors. I must never forget those words. There's a saying that goes, 'The more rice ripens, the more it bows its head.' I want to always carry myself with a sense of gratitude and humility."


Even though he is a pioneer of natural farming and always at the forefront, he speaks with an endless humility. Many people are attracted to his personality. I was reminded that this is why there are always smiles around Mr. Tomita.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


Many people come to learn at Tomita's naturally cultivated rice fields every year.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


A pleasant breeze passes through Tomita's naturally cultivated rice fields.


Tomita's naturally grown rice has a light taste with a natural sweetness, and the more you chew it, the more delicious it becomes. The grains of the rice themselves are firm, and the rice as a whole has a strong flavor.


It goes down easy on the stomach, so you can eat as much as you want without feeling bloated afterwards.


Please try eating it with salt first. You will surely be able to fully enjoy the deliciousness of Tomita's naturally grown rice.


Rice grown naturally without fertilizer or pesticides by Tomita, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu


The rice balls are made using only Tomita's naturally grown rice and sun-dried lake salt. A real treat.


Currently, the rice that he has grown in his own fields for many years is sold out to regular home delivery subscribers (customers who have a year-round contract). It is also very popular nationwide, and there is a waiting list for cancellations.


The rice we are selling this time is Hinohikari, grown in newly expanded rice fields.


The rice is grown from Hinohikari seeds that have been grown and harvested in his own rice fields for many years, and is now planted in a new field, so the quality and deliciousness of the rice remains unchanged.


"It was well received last year, and it's only the second year for the rice field," said Tomita, and thanks to his generosity, the product will be sold at a "trial price."


We hope that anyone who has never tried naturally grown rice will take this opportunity to try it and experience its delicious taste and strong vitality.


◇Purely's commitment to naturally grown rice◇


At Purely, we only deliver naturally grown rice from trusted natural farms in Kyushu.


All naturally grown rice we deliver meets the following three conditions.


1. No pesticides or fertilizers (chemical or organic) are used.


2. The seeds used are all naturally grown rice that farmers continue to collect themselves.


3. We only use naturally grown rice that has a history of 3 years or more in natural cultivation fields (natural cultivation history in rice fields).


Our production staff meets with each farmer, sees the rice fields in person, and checks the field and production history.


After repeated quality checks and investigations into production history, we purchase directly from Kyushu contracted farmers who we can trust for their safe and reliable natural farming practices. In addition to simply purchasing produce, we also serve as the Kyushu Block Secretariat for the National Association for the Promotion of Natural Farming, and regularly hold study sessions, discussion meetings, and lectures on natural farming for farmers.


We also offer agricultural tours and natural life schools for consumers, including rice planting, rice harvesting, mochi pounding, and other agricultural support tours, in an effort to promote natural farming and natural lifestyles.


At Purely, we aim to spread the worldview of natural farming by working together as a trinity of consumers, producers, and distributors, and to realize a sustainable society in harmony with nature.


Varieties

Hinohikari

Producer

Tomita Chikayoshi

Producing area

Shichijocho, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Farming method

Natural cultivation

Species Information

Home-grown seeds (over 10 years)

Size and Capacity

3kg,5kg

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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).

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