On the first Sunday of June, villagers, and cattle participate in the annual reenactment ceremony of the rice planting and transplanting in order to ask the rice deity for an abundant harvest. The cows are specially decorated with colorful features, the men and women wear their finest traditional clothes, and the whole village prepares for the ceremony with lots of rehearsals. Participants sing accompanied by special drums, flutes, and small gongs. Moreover, they do everything stunningly simultaneously! Everything is overseen by the elders and others not taking part in the main ceremony.
This rice planting tradition has been inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The ritual happens in Mibu and Kawahigashi communities in Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture.
