稲架掛け(ハザガケ) hanging rice on racks

　稲架掛けは、昔ながらの機械を使わずに行う、稲穂の乾燥方法です。刈り取った稲を束にして、逆さまに稲架（ハザ）と呼ばれる架台に、掛けて天日干しをする、手間の掛かる方法です。
　逆さまに吊るすことで、栄養分が米粒に下りるのと、日光を浴びて、アミノ酸や糖分が増えるので、味は美味しくなると言われています。

　稲架-掛け(Haza-Gake) is a traditional method of drying rice ears without the use of machinery. This is a labor-intensive method in which the harvested rice is bundled and hung upside down on a rack called a "Haza" to dry in the sun. "Gake" means to hook. 
　It is said that hanging the rice upside down allows nutrients to flow down into the grains, and exposure to sunlight increases the levels of amino acids and sugars, resulting in a more delicious flavor.