Hayashida of Harada (Selected for Documentation)

Rice-Planting Songs of Harada

The Hayashida of Harada (Selected for Documentation) (はやし田) is a rice-planting performance handed down at Harada, Takamiya-cho, Akitakata City (formerly Takata District), Hiroshima Prefecture, in which the whole village welcomes the field god Sanbai, selected in 1970 as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property Requiring Documentation.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists the Harada Hayashida Preservation Society as preservation body.

Selection for documentation is a separate system from designation. The Harada tradition was later also designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, with that of Shinjo, as the Hayashida of Aki.

How It Proceeds

According to the Agency's description at selection, it was held around 10 June during planting season, with many planting songs and much music, and is also called hana-taue.

Before planting come the planting women's field dance and the churning of the paddy by cattle and horses; then, to the song leader's lead and the sound of drums, flutes and gongs, the women sing planting songs in call and response with him as they plant.

What to Look For

The Agency notes a rich repertoire of planting songs, with morning, midday and evening songs as the work progresses. The words include not only planting themes but also popular songs of former times, valuable for both performing arts and literary history.

It also notes a regionally distinctive singing style, with melodies more intricate and beautiful than similar traditions elsewhere.

Visiting the Hayashida of Harada (Selected for Documentation)

Akitakata City says the Harada hayashida is performed on the last Sunday of May in the Harada paddies. Check details with the preservation society or the city.

The designated Hayashida of Aki is described on a separate page.