Fragrant rice - Nioimai

Japanese: 香米 - においまい

This type of rice is considered to be a type of Indian rice, and is also known as "Kabashiko," "Mouse rice," or "Jaco rice" due to its distinctive fragrance. It was cultivated nationwide until the Meiji period, but now it is only grown by specific farmers in a few areas for their own use. The oldest reference to this type of rice in literature is found in Volume 7 of the Seiryoki (Shinmin Kangetsyu), which is said to have been compiled around 1630 (Kan'ei 7), and is referred to as "Nioi no Wase" (fragrant early rice) and "Nioi mochi" (fragrant rice cake).

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

インド型イネ系統の一種とされる米で，香りに特徴があることから，〈かばしこ〉〈鼠米（ねずみごめ）〉〈じゃこう米〉などとも呼ばれる。明治時代までは全国的に栽培されていたというが，現在はごく一部の地域の特定農家で自家用に栽培しているにすぎない。1630年(寛永7)ころに成立したといわれる《清良記（せいりようき）》第7巻(親民鑑月集)に薫早生（においのわせ）とか香餅（においもち）とあるのが，文献にみえる最古のものである。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Nioh - Ninno

>>: Scented sachet - Scented bag