On May 31, 2026, a rice planting ceremony for ancient rice varieties took place at the Tsukinowa Rice Field in Mineyama-cho, Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, a place said to be the birthplace of rice cultivation. Former three-division world boxing champion Koki Kameda (39 years old), who serves as a sports exchange strategy advisor for Kyotango City, also participated.
The Tsukinowa Rice Field is shaped like a crescent moon and covers an area of approximately 10 square meters. Legend says that Toyouke-no-Okami, the goddess of food, began rice cultivation there for Amaterasu-Omikami. Although it had not been cultivated for many years, the local community revived it in 2013, and a preservation society now plants rice annually.
Approximately 40 people, including residents and women dressed as rice-planting maidens, hand-planted three varieties of ancient rice—red, black, and purple—in the Tsukinowa Rice Field and adjacent fields.
Former world boxing champion Koki Kameda learned about the Tsukinowa rice paddy tradition last year, marking 10 years since his retirement, and offered to participate. He carefully planted each seedling, saying, "I'm happy to have had the opportunity to experience something I wouldn't normally get to experience."
