Scenes from the day
☀️Blog (English)
I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a family in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, during the traditional autumn rice drying method called “Hasa-gake” (稲架掛け) 📸
The golden ears of rice lined up under the sun, swaying gently in the wind, created a breathtaking scene! Each time I pressed the shutter, I felt like I was capturing not only the image but also the fragrance of rice and the crisp autumn air☺️🍁
🌾What is Hasa-gake?
“Hasa-gake” is a traditional method of drying rice. After harvesting, the rice is hung on wooden, bamboo, or metal racks called “hasa” and dried slowly by the power of the sun and wind✨ While machine drying has become mainstream today, rice dried using Hasa-gake is said to have better moisture balance, with richer sweetness and aroma🍚💖 It’s truly a delicacy filled with farmers’ care and love!
📷Highlights of the Shoot
- Golden rice ears × the warmth of a family working together🌞
- The rhythm and perspective of neatly arranged Hasa racks🌾
- The details of hands tying and hanging the rice bundles👩🌾👨🌾
Looking through the camera, I felt as if time had turned back a little. Capturing these seasonal traditions is one of the greatest joys of being a photographer💛
📝Summary
The Hasa-gake scenery I witnessed in Iida City was a beautiful representation of Japan’s autumn. I truly hope this traditional method continues to be passed down🌾
If you have the chance, I highly recommend experiencing it in person. It will surely warm your heart☺️✨
💬Notice
Although I mainly photograph newborns, I also capture many other family milestones: from shrine visits and half-birthdays, to first birthdays, Shichi-Go-San ceremonies, and even celebrations such as Kiju (77 years) and Beiju (88 years). Seasonal family traditions, like this Hasa-gake scene, are also a joy for me to photograph. If you’d like to capture your family’s precious moments, please feel free to reach out anytime via Instagram or LINE!