Rice Day; A Celebration of Japan's Staple Grain

Today, and August 18th annually, is Rice Day 米の日 in Japan. It is a small but meaningful commemoration rooted in the kanji for rice 米, which can be broken down into 八十八, which forms the number 88. Traditionally, it's said that growing rice requires 88 separate tasks, hence August 18th was deemed a suitable day for a celebration of Japan's Staple Grain. 

The commemoration is no longer officially registered with the Japan Anniversary Association, but it doesn't matter. The commemoration has become ingrained due to the symbolic connection between language and labor. The commemoration is marked in different ways around the country. For example, in Mie Prefecture the 18th of every month is Rice Food Day, created by the Mie Prefectural Government, to encourage people to eat more local Omi Rice. 

Rice has been central to Japanese culture for centuries, shaping communities, diets and even things like taxation. Today, it remains Japan's biggest staple grain.