★【2023 Rice】Kawachi Kazukazu's Naturally Grown Rice Minaminishiki

 Kazuichi Kawachi


Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Kazuichi Kawachi is engaged in natural farming on this land, which is permeated by the clear waters of the Yoshimuta water source. He has 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."

 There are always smiles around Kawachi-san


Some people may mistakenly think that natural cultivation is a method of cultivation where crops are left unchecked without fertilizer. However, Kawachi says that in fact, "natural cultivation is the most labor-intensive method."
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-san's favorite newt



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.


The Yoshimuta Water Source, one of the 100 Best Waters in Kumamoto Prefecture, is a rich, clear stream that flows through Mifune Town.


 I went with Kawachi to the source of the Yoshimuta River to collect water! It was a very pleasant place with good energy flowing through it.


 Kawachi's naturally cultivated rice field 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 newts, frogs, diving beetles, water striders, and everything else here. We haven't used any pesticides for about 20 years."
When I walked over to the side of the rice field, I was told, "This is an irrigation canal just for newts."
Amazingly, they even built an irrigation channel so that the newts that live there can survive the winter.
Kawachi farms with newts in mind.
I truly 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.


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.

 Kawachi-san's masterpiece, the dinosaur Nebuta, 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.


 


 On the rice harvesting tour, you can ride on a rice harvester. After the harvest, we were treated to rice balls made with newly harvested rice.



Minami-ni-shiki rice has a taste close to the original rice variety

Kawachi continues to collect Minami Nishiki seeds through natural cultivation every year.
Minami-Nishiki is a type of rice that is characterized by its light flavor, and like Sasanishiki, it is said to be close to the variety of rice that Japanese people have been eating since ancient times.
It originally originated in Miyazaki Prefecture, and was also widely cultivated in Kumamoto until about 30 years ago.
However, it has been gradually overshadowed by the popularity of "sweet and chewy" rice, and has almost disappeared in recent years.
Kawachi's naturally grown Minami Ni Shiki rice is the result of Kawachi himself carefully collecting the seeds over a period of seven years.
Kawachi is now the only farmer in Mifune Town who grows Minaminishiki rice.
Kawachi continues to grow the crop every year with a sense of mission that "we must not let the precious Minami-Ishiki seeds disappear."

 Minaminishiki is a naturally grown rice. It has a light taste and is said to be close to traditional rice varieties.


Kawachi's naturally grown Minami Nishiki rice has a rich aroma and luster the moment it is cooked, and a natural sweetness spreads in the mouth.
When you eat it, it has a very clean taste and goes straight into your body, giving you a pleasant feeling.

Minaminishiki, a naturally grown rice produced in Kumamoto Prefecture, has now become extremely rare.
Although the quantity is very small, please give it a try.