April 20th, 2025-April 24th is Spring-First stage of KOKUU (Grain rains)-16th KOU “First reeds sprout.” The 24-SEKKI (24 major divisions of season in the year) has progressed one step further to become “KOKUU” (Grain rains). The rain of “KOKUU” is said to irrigate all kinds of grains. In the old days when weather forecasting was not well developed, The telling about KOKUU season has been used as a guide for preparing such as rice planting. Under the spring rain, reeds also start to sprout all at once.
The reeds around the CHIKUMA River are withering away, but you can see new green leaves sprouting if you look closely. The reeds have withered remaining in their original shape, so it is hard to see, but you can see new green leaves sprouting if you look closely.
Even though they are withered, the stems re quite hard. Moreover, the surface of the stem is smooth and repels water well. This is why they have been used as a roofing material and for SUDARE (shading screens). As shown in the photo, the larger ones can grow to over 3 meters in total length, so they are very useful.
It can also be used as fertilizer, and in the past people would cut reed-like grass and spread it on rice fields.
In vegetable fields along the CHIKUMA River, I saw crops covered with reeds to protect against late frost. Perhaps they were also used as fertilizer after that.
It’s so easy to get them nearby the river and free, so it’s a waste not to use it✌️
