Early rice (Wase), Middle rice (Nakate), and Late rice (Okute) are terms related to types of rice cultivation in Japan. These categories are based on the length of the rice's growth cycle and are each suited to specific climatic and cultivation conditions.
Early Rice (Wase)
- Definition: Early rice refers to rice varieties that mature quickly.
- Growth Period: Generally, the period from sowing to harvest is short.
- Adapted Regions: Preferred in regions with relatively cool climates or areas where multiple harvests are conducted in a year.
- Characteristics: Early rice grows rapidly and can be harvested at an early stage. Therefore, it is suitable for farmlands that have multiple crop cycles annually.
Middle Rice (Nakate)
- Definition: Middle rice refers to rice varieties with a maturity period that falls between early and late rice.
- Growth Period: Has a standard maturity period.
- Adapted Regions: Cultivated in many areas of Japan and is the most common variety.
- Characteristics: Middle rice provides a stable harvest under typical climate conditions and plays a significant role in many aspects of Japanese rice culture.
Late Rice (Okute)
- Definition: Late rice refers to rice varieties that mature slowly.
- Growth Period: Requires a long maturity period.
- Adapted Regions: Suited for warm climates or regions where the temperature is relatively high during the growing season.
- Characteristics: Late rice grows slowly over a long growth period and has the potential to produce higher quality rice under certain conditions.
Types of Early, Middle, and Late Rice
There are various types of early, middle, and late rice, and there are also intermediate varieties. Moreover, even within the same type, the harvesting period can vary between colder and warmer regions.
The approximate order is as follows, listed from top to bottom: early rice, middle rice, and late rice.
Yamanoshizuku
Hitomebore, Sasanishiki
Minaminishiki
Koshihikari
Current Classification
Rice varieties' earliness or lateness is generally classified into five categories: extremely early, early, medium, late, and extremely late.
References
水稲の早晩性の標記について 農業試験場
