The annual “Scarecrow Contest” is held in September every year at the Tanada (the terraced paddy fields) in the “Inabuchi District” of Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, which is famous for the Takamatsuzuka Tomb. The terraced paddy fields, which are one of the most famous spots for Higanbana (cluster amaryllis) in the prefecture, are lined with Scarecrows who applied from all over the country, and many tourists come to see the “original scenery of rural areas”. However, this year, as in the case of the whole country, both the “Scarecrow Contest” and the “Higanbana Festival” have been canceled to prevent the infection of the new coronavirus. Last night, I had a dream of having an online date with Scarecrow by means of ZOOM which became a hot topic this year.

高松塚古墳で有名な奈良県明日香村の「稲渕地区」の棚田では、毎年9月になると恒例の「かかしコンテスト」が開かれます。県下有数の「彼岸花」の名所でもある棚田には、全国から応募した案山子が並び、「農村の原風景」を見るために多くの観光客が押し寄せます。しかし今年は全国の例に漏れず、新型コロナウイルスの感染防止のため、「かかしコンテスト」も「彼岸花祭り」も中止になりました。昨晩は、今年一気に話題になったZOOMで案山子とオンラインデートする夢をみました。