A coloring page of rice planting, where two people in sedge hats set out young rice seedlings in a paddy field with Mt. Fuji in the background. Frogs and a snail peek out along the ridges between the paddies, giving the scene the warm, gentle mood of an early-summer country village. Enjoy it for care-facility activities or hobby time as you look back on fond memories of rice planting. Free to download and print.
Rice planting, Mt. Fuji, country village, Japanese style
Category
Landscapes, Events, Spring
File format
PDF (line art + color sample) and PNG
🗣 Conversation Starters — for care activities and family time
“Have you ever planted rice? Did you plant by hand or by machine?”
“How did the mud of the paddy feel when you planted rice?”
“Have you ever spotted frogs or snails in a paddy field?”
“Have you ever seen Mt. Fuji? From where did you see it?”
🌾 When is rice planting done?
Rice planting mainly takes place from early May to mid-June. The timing varies by region: in the warmer areas of western Japan and Kyushu it is done earlier, while in Tohoku and Hokkaido it is often done around June. In the past it was common for the whole family to plant by hand, but today it is mostly done with rice-planting machines.
🐸 Why are there so many frogs in rice paddies?
A paddy field is an ideal home for frogs. There is plenty of water and lots of insects to eat. When the rice-planting season arrives, the frogs all begin to call at once, and at night a chorus of croaking rings out across the paddies. Frogs eat harmful pests, so they are welcome creatures for farmers.
🗻 Where are the famous views of rice planting and Mt. Fuji?
Around Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture and Fujiyoshida City in Yamanashi Prefecture, the “upside-down Fuji” reflected in the flooded paddies is famous. It is especially beautiful during the rice-planting season when the fields are filled with water, drawing many photographers. It is a breathtaking view that could be called the quintessential landscape of Japan.
🎨 Any tips for coloring this rice-planting picture?
Color the paddy in pale blue to blue-green, and use yellow-green and light green for the seedlings to bring out the feel of early summer. For Mt. Fuji, leave the snow white and add a gentle gradient of pale blue-purple to give it depth. Bright yellow-green for the frogs and light brown to beige for the snail make for a charming finish.
🌾 How long does it take from planting to harvest?
It takes about four to five months from planting to harvest. Rice planted in May and June grows quickly through the summer and ripens into golden ears around September and October, when harvest time arrives. As the old proverb “the riper the ear of rice, the lower it bows its head” suggests, rice is a plant deeply rooted in the Japanese heart.
