'Otue' Rice Planting Ritual Takes Place

OSAKA, JAPAN - JUNE 14: Japanese shrine priests(L) hand over sacred rice seed to women in traditional costumes during the Otaue Shinji, sacred rice planting annual ceremony at paddy field of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine June 14, 2013 in Osaka, Japan. The Otaue Shinji, sacred rice planting ceremony dates back about 1800 years, and is held annually on June 14 that sacred rice will harvest annually on October 17. Firstly, Shrine priests and performers gather in the shrine main hall for pray to success of ceremony. Then shrine priests handed over rice seed to women called an Ueme, planting women. Next, Planting women are carrying scared rice plants with performers to field by parade. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)