Tanbo, or rice paddies feature in many of my images.
It may be surprising, but one of the first reasons I got interested in tanbo was the simplicity of the rows of rice, and how strong the colour contrasts were in Summer. 

Tambo Path

They make interesting subjects for abstract images, and when I first came to Chiba I spent many hours exploring the valleys looking for interesting colours.

Tambo Lines II

At the start of the season, the rice rows are green, like in the photo above.
But as the rice plants grow and the seeds develop, they become light green,
and then eventually turn yellow.

In the few weeks before harvest, anxious farmers can be seen frequently checking their rice plants, and it is in fact this colour that they are checking.
When the rice seeds turn golden brown, it's time to harvest.  

Between Two Paddies

Throughout the season farmers regularly trim the grass growing on the aze (畦), the thin walls that separate the rice paddies. This regular mowing keeps the grass low so that wind passes through the fields preventing disease, and it stops the grass from making its own seedheads, which would spread into the paddies and spoil the crop.

But most importantly, this regular trimming keeps the aze a lush dark green, making perfect tanbo lines for my hungry eyes!

Pattern hunting

Thanks and Enjoy!
 

If you enjoyed this, follow me on facebook
Check out some of my other photography:

Mt Fuji here

The amazing Jewel Beetle here

Perfect rainbows here

Hilarious Frogs here

Follow me on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/DamonBayPhotography

フェイスブックで「いいね！」をしたら、新しくアップする写真や記事を見れるよ！

Please help me out by clicking this blog vote button.

いつも見てくれてありがとうございます。ブログランキングもやっています↓