also: わさだ
field of early-ripening rice
Refers to a paddy where rice is planted and harvested earlier than usual. Often used in place names, most famously Waseda University (早稲田大学).
In this area, they grow early-ripening rice varieties in the early-ripening paddies.
The name of Waseda University comes from the place name Waseda, meaning 'early-ripening rice paddy'.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading わせだ is the most common.
Alternate reading, less common. May appear in some place names or historical contexts.
Compound of 早 (early) + 稲 (rice plant) + 田 (field). The reading わせだ is a combination of 早生 (わせ, early ripening) and 田 (だ, field). The alternate reading わさだ is a variant.