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Komorebi木漏れ日

The 72 Seasons七十二候

Japan’s old calendar splits the year into 24 solar terms, and each of those into three. Seventy-two seasons of about five days, each named for something small that happens: rainbows appear, frogs begin to sing.

Today:  

Verify: Names, readings and dates to be verified against a reliable source before launch.Dates are approximate and shift by a day from year to year.

Spring春

  1. No. 1 · Beginning of spring4–8 Feb

    東風解凍

    East wind melts the ice

    Tōfū kōri o toku

    In nature
    Still the coldest stretch of the year, but the light has turned. Ice on temple ponds goes thin at the edges by noon.
    On the table
    Last of the winter yellowtail, kanburi, and the first bitter fuki-no-tō shoots fried as tempura.
  2. No. 2 · Beginning of spring9–13 Feb

    黄鶯睍睆

    Bush warblers sing in the mountains

    Kōō kenkan su

    In nature
    The uguisu tries out its song, badly at first. Plum buds swell on the branches in Kyoto and Nara.
    On the table
    Sweet winter strawberries, shijimi clam soup and new-season sake pressed in the winter brewing.
  3. No. 3 · Beginning of spring14–18 Feb

    魚上氷

    Fish rise from beneath the ice

    Uo kōri o izuru

    In nature
    Ice on northern lakes cracks and shifts. In the south, the first plum blossom opens, white before red.
    On the table
    Wakasagi smelt fished through the ice, eaten as tempura, and early nanohana.
  4. No. 4 · Rainwater19–23 Feb

    土脉潤起

    Rain moistens the soil

    Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru

    In nature
    Snow turns to rain on the lowlands, and the fields darken and soften. Plum gardens are near their best.
    On the table
    Nanohana dressed with mustard, hamaguri clams and sakura-mochi appearing early in the sweet shops.
  5. No. 5 · Rainwater24–28 Feb

    霞始靆

    Mist starts to linger

    Kasumi hajimete tanabiku

    In nature
    A soft spring haze hangs over the hills in the mornings. Distant mountains lose their winter edges.
    On the table
    Hamaguri clam soup ahead of the Hinamatsuri doll festival, and chirashi-zushi.
  6. No. 6 · Rainwater1–5 Mar

    草木萌動

    Grass sprouts, trees bud

    Sōmoku mebae izuru

    In nature
    A faint green comes into the verges and the willows. Okinawa is already in early summer.
    On the table
    Hishi-mochi for Hinamatsuri, wild udo and the first sansai mountain vegetables.
  7. No. 7 · Insects awaken6–10 Mar

    蟄虫啓戸

    Hibernating insects surface

    Sugomori mushito o hiraku

    In nature
    Warm days bring out the first insects and frogs. Water in the paddies begins to move again.
    On the table
    Hotaru-ika, the firefly squid from Toyama Bay, and young wakame seaweed.
  8. No. 8 · Insects awaken11–15 Mar

    桃始笑

    First peach blossoms

    Momo hajimete saku

    In nature
    Peach trees flower pink in the orchards. The old texts say they smile, and they do.
    On the table
    Sayori halfbeak as sashimi, shirasu whitebait and new-season cabbage.
  9. No. 9 · Insects awaken16–20 Mar

    菜虫化蝶

    Caterpillars become butterflies

    Namushi chō to naru

    In nature
    Cabbage whites drift over the rapeseed fields. In Kyushu, the first cherry blossoms open.
    On the table
    Botamochi for the spring equinox, sakura-mochi and young bamboo shoots from the south.
  10. No. 10 · Spring equinox21–25 Mar

    雀始巣

    Sparrows start to nest

    Suzume hajimete sukuu

    In nature
    Day and night stand level. Sparrows carry straw under temple eaves, and Tokyo's cherries begin to open.
    On the table
    Takenoko bamboo shoots simmered with wakame, sakura-dai sea bream and nanohana.
  11. No. 11 · Spring equinox26–30 Mar

    櫻始開

    First cherry blossoms

    Sakura hajimete saku

    In nature
    Somei-yoshino comes into full bloom across Kyoto and Tokyo. Petals sit on the canals by the end of the week.
    On the table
    Sakura-dai sea bream, takenoko gohan and salt-pickled cherry blossom steeped as tea.
  12. No. 12 · Spring equinox31 Mar – 4 Apr

    雷乃発声

    Distant thunder

    Kaminari sunawachi koe o hassu

    In nature
    The first spring thunder rolls over the mountains. Blossom falls in the rain and the moss turns pink.
    On the table
    Takenoko dug that morning, kinome leaves, and hotaru-ika with miso and vinegar.
  14. No. 14 · Pure and clear10–14 Apr

    鴻雁北

    Wild geese fly north

    Kōgan kaeru

    In nature
    Geese leave the northern wetlands in long skeins. Takayama's cherries and the Kanazawa castle trees are in flower.
    On the table
    Wild sansai: kogomi, taranome and fuki, as tempura in mountain inns.
  17. No. 17 · Grain rain25–29 Apr

    霜止出苗

    Last frost, rice seedlings grow

    Shimo yamite nae izuru

    In nature
    The last frosts lift and rice seedlings stand in their nursery trays. Sapporo's cherries are about to open.
    On the table
    Shincha, the first green tea of the year, and soramame broad beans grilled in the pod.
  18. No. 18 · Grain rain30 Apr – 4 May

    牡丹華

    Peonies bloom

    Botan hana saku

    In nature
    Tree peonies open in temple gardens, each flower the size of two hands. Fresh maple leaves glow in the morning light.
    On the table
    Kashiwa-mochi wrapped in oak leaves, broad beans and first-season katsuo.

Summer夏

  1. No. 19 · Beginning of summer5–9 May

    蛙始鳴

    Frogs start singing

    Kawazu hajimete naku

    In nature
    The paddies are flooded and the frogs begin at dusk. Irises stand along the streams.
    On the table
    Chimaki rice dumplings for Children's Day, new-season tea and grilled bamboo shoots.
  3. No. 21 · Beginning of summer15–20 May

    竹笋生

    Bamboo shoots sprout

    Takenoko shōzu

    In nature
    Bamboo groves grow loud with new shoots, some a hand's width taller each day. Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri passes in early-summer silk.
    On the table
    Late takenoko, iwashi sardines and fresh shiso coming into the markets.
  4. No. 22 · Lesser ripening21–25 May

    蚕起食桑

    Silkworms start feasting on mulberry leaves

    Kaiko okite kuwa o hamu

    In nature
    In the old silk villages, mulberry leaves are picked for the worms. The countryside is green from end to end.
    On the table
    Isaki grunt fish, new potatoes and early loquats.
  5. No. 23 · Lesser ripening26–30 May

    紅花栄

    Safflowers bloom

    Benibana sakau

    In nature
    Safflowers, once grown for red dye and rouge, flower in the fields. Fireflies are a week or two away.
    On the table
    Aji horse mackerel, broad beans and the first ume being picked for umeshu.
  6. No. 24 · Lesser ripening31 May – 5 Jun

    麦秋至

    Wheat ripens and is harvested

    Mugi no toki itaru

    In nature
    Barley and wheat turn gold while everything else is green. Hydrangeas colour up ahead of the rains.
    On the table
    Green ume steeped for umeshu, aji and the first young ginger.
  7. No. 25 · Grain in ear6–10 Jun

    螳螂生

    Praying mantises hatch

    Kamakiri shōzu

    In nature
    Tiny mantises spill from their egg cases. The rainy season, tsuyu, settles over most of Japan.
    On the table
    Ayu sweetfish, salt-grilled whole once the river season opens, and new-season loquats.
  8. No. 26 · Grain in ear11–15 Jun

    腐草為螢

    Rotten grass becomes fireflies

    Kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru

    In nature
    Fireflies rise over clear streams after dark. The old belief was that they grew from rotting grass.
    On the table
    Ayu, junsai water shield in cold dashi, and minazuki sweets ordered ahead.
  9. No. 27 · Grain in ear16–20 Jun

    梅子黄

    Plums turn yellow

    Ume no mi kibamu

    In nature
    Ume ripen and yellow in the rain. Hydrangeas are at their deepest blue in the temple gardens.
    On the table
    Ripe ume salted for umeboshi, the year's first hamo pike conger in Kyoto, and kisu whiting.
  10. No. 28 · Summer solstice21–26 Jun

    乃東枯

    Self-heal withers

    Natsukarekusa karuru

    In nature
    The longest days, often under grey rain. The self-heal flowers fade as everything else grows.
    On the table
    Tako octopus, edamame and cold somen noodles.
  11. No. 29 · Summer solstice27 Jun – 1 Jul

    菖蒲華

    Irises bloom

    Ayame hana saku

    In nature
    Irises flower in purple drifts in the wet gardens. Lavender and lupins open in Hokkaido.
    On the table
    Minazuki sweets on 30 June, eaten to ward off the summer, and hamo in Kyoto.
  12. No. 30 · Summer solstice2–6 Jul

    半夏生

    Crow-dipper sprouts

    Hange shōzu

    In nature
    The hangeshō plant whitens half its leaves as if dipped in paint. Farmers traditionally finished planting rice by now.
    On the table
    Octopus in the Kansai, said to help the rice take root, and new-season sudachi.
  13. No. 31 · Lesser heat7–11 Jul

    温風至

    Warm winds blow

    Atsukaze itaru

    In nature
    Hot, damp winds arrive as the rains thin out. Tanabata bamboo is hung with paper wishes.
    On the table
    Cold somen on Tanabata, edamame, cucumbers and hamo with plum sauce.
  14. No. 32 · Lesser heat12–16 Jul

    蓮始開

    First lotus blossoms

    Hasu hajimete hiraku

    In nature
    Lotus flowers open at dawn on temple ponds and close again by noon. Gion Matsuri fills Kyoto's evenings.
    On the table
    Hamo, the dish of Gion Matsuri, and cold kuzu sweets.
  15. No. 33 · Lesser heat17–22 Jul

    鷹乃学習

    Hawks learn to fly

    Taka sunawachi waza o narau

    In nature
    Young hawks practise over the forests. The rainy season ends and the cicadas begin in earnest.
    On the table
    Unagi eel for the midsummer ox day, peaches and watermelon.
  16. No. 34 · Greater heat23–28 Jul

    桐始結花

    Paulownia trees produce seeds

    Kiri hajimete hana o musubu

    In nature
    The paulownia, whose wood becomes kimono chests, sets seed. Afternoons are heavy with heat and cicadas.
    On the table
    Unagi, grilled over charcoal, and chilled goya, eggplant and tomatoes.
  17. No. 35 · Greater heat29 Jul – 2 Aug

    土潤溽暑

    Damp earth, humid heat

    Tsuchi uruōte mushi atsushi

    In nature
    The ground steams after rain and the air hardly moves. The mountains and Hokkaido offer the cool.
    On the table
    Kakigōri shaved ice, Hokkaido sea urchin and sweetcorn.
  18. No. 36 · Greater heat3–7 Aug

    大雨時行

    Great rains sometimes fall

    Taiu tokidoki furu

    In nature
    Sudden thunderstorms break the heat in the late afternoon. Summer festivals light the riversides.
    On the table
    Watermelon, peaches and iwagaki rock oysters from the Sea of Japan coast.

Autumn秋

  1. No. 37 · Beginning of autumn8–12 Aug

    涼風至

    Cool winds blow

    Suzukaze itaru

    In nature
    Autumn in name only, but the evening wind carries a first cool thread. Obon lanterns go up.
    On the table
    Figs, nashi pears beginning, and cold summer vegetables for the Obon altar.
  2. No. 38 · Beginning of autumn13–17 Aug

    寒蝉鳴

    Evening cicadas sing

    Higurashi naku

    In nature
    The higurashi cicada calls at dusk, a falling, ringing note. Kyoto's mountains are lit with the Gozan bonfires.
    On the table
    Shōjin vegetable dishes for Obon, peaches and the first nashi.
  3. No. 39 · Beginning of autumn18–22 Aug

    蒙霧升降

    Thick fog descends

    Fukaki kiri matō

    In nature
    Mornings in the mountains and on the northern coasts wrap in dense fog. Rice heads begin to bow.
    On the table
    Kurodai black sea bream, Kyoto manganji peppers and kamonasu eggplant.
  4. No. 40 · Heat recedes23–27 Aug

    綿柎開

    Cotton flowers bloom

    Wata no hana shibe hiraku

    In nature
    Cotton bolls split open. The heat holds, but the cicadas are quieter and the crickets louder.
    On the table
    Sudachi squeezed over everything, grapes and nashi pears.
  5. No. 41 · Heat recedes28 Aug – 1 Sep

    天地始粛

    Heat starts to die down

    Tenchi hajimete samushi

    In nature
    Heaven and earth begin to settle. The first typhoons of the season brush the coasts.
    On the table
    Figs, the first Pacific saury and new-season grapes from Yamanashi.
  6. No. 42 · Heat recedes2–7 Sep

    禾乃登

    Rice ripens

    Kokumono sunawachi minoru

    In nature
    The paddies turn from green to gold. In Hokkaido, the nights are already cool.
    On the table
    Sanma, Pacific saury, grilled with grated daikon, and early chestnuts.
  14. No. 50 · Cold dew13–17 Oct

    菊花開

    Chrysanthemums bloom

    Kiku no hana hiraku

    In nature
    Chrysanthemums open in pots outside temples and houses. The air is clear and the mountains look close.
    On the table
    Chrysanthemum petals in vinegar, shishamo smelt and kaki persimmons.
  17. No. 53 · Frost descends28 Oct – 1 Nov

    霎時施

    Light rains sometimes fall

    Kosame tokidoki furu

    In nature
    Brief, cold showers pass through, then sun. Maples in the middle hills begin to colour.
    On the table
    Kaki persimmons, new soba from the autumn buckwheat and Echizen snow crab soon.
  18. No. 54 · Frost descends2–6 Nov

    楓蔦黄

    Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow

    Momiji tsuta kibamu

    In nature
    Maples and ivy turn across Honshū. Hakone and Nikkō are at their peak while Kyoto waits.
    On the table
    Shinsoba, snow crab from the Sea of Japan coast and roasted chestnuts.

Winter冬

  1. No. 55 · Beginning of winter7–11 Nov

    山茶始開

    Camellias bloom

    Tsubaki hajimete hiraku

    In nature
    Sasanqua camellias open along garden hedges. The first ro hearth of winter is lit in the tea rooms.
    On the table
    Kaki, yuzu coming into season and the year's first zenzai at the tea-room opening.
  2. No. 56 · Beginning of winter12–16 Nov

    地始凍

    Land starts to freeze

    Chi hajimete kōru

    In nature
    Frost hardens the ground in the north. In Kyoto, the maples begin their last, best fortnight.
    On the table
    Kabu turnips, Kanazawa's kōbako crab and new-season yuzu.
  3. No. 57 · Beginning of winter17–21 Nov

    金盞香

    Daffodils bloom

    Kinsenka saku

    In nature
    Early daffodils show on the warm coasts. Kyoto's temple gardens are red and gold.
    On the table
    Fugu blowfish season opens, with daikon simmered in dashi and shungiku greens.
  4. No. 58 · Lesser snow22–26 Nov

    虹蔵不見

    Rainbows hide

    Niji kakurete miezu

    In nature
    The sun sits low and rainbows are rare. Fallen maple leaves cover the moss in Kyoto.
    On the table
    Kani crab hotpot, Kyoto vegetables like ebi-imo and shōgoin turnip.
  5. No. 59 · Lesser snow27 Nov – 1 Dec

    朔風払葉

    North wind blows the leaves from the trees

    Kitakaze konoha o harau

    In nature
    The north wind strips the last leaves. Snow settles on the peaks above Takayama.
    On the table
    Kan-buri winter yellowtail, mikan oranges and oden.
  6. No. 60 · Lesser snow2–6 Dec

    橘始黄

    Tachibana citrus tree leaves start to turn yellow

    Tachibana hajimete kibamu

    In nature
    Tachibana and other citrus ripen to yellow. Winter light comes in low across the tatami.
    On the table
    Mikan, yuzu and buri daikon, yellowtail simmered with radish.
  7. No. 61 · Greater snow7–11 Dec

    閉塞成冬

    Cold sets in, winter begins

    Sora samuku fuyu to naru

    In nature
    Heavy skies close in over the Sea of Japan side. Snow begins to settle in Hokkaido for the season.
    On the table
    Daikon boiled at temple daikon-daki ceremonies, oysters and nabe hotpots.
  8. No. 62 · Greater snow12–15 Dec

    熊蟄穴

    Bears start hibernating in their dens

    Kuma ana ni komoru

    In nature
    Bears go into their dens in the northern forests. The mountains go quiet under new snow.
    On the table
    Fugu, anko monkfish hotpot and winter-sweet hakusai cabbage.
  9. No. 63 · Greater snow16–20 Dec

    鱖魚群

    Salmon gather and swim upstream

    Sake no uo muragaru

    In nature
    The last salmon crowd upriver to spawn. Red-crowned cranes gather in the Kushiro marshes.
    On the table
    Salted salmon, kegani hairy crab and winter yuzu.
  10. No. 64 · Winter solstice21–25 Dec

    乃東生

    Self-heal sprouts

    Natsukarekusa shōzu

    In nature
    The shortest day. Self-heal sends up green, and every bath in Japan has yuzu floating in it.
    On the table
    Kabocha pumpkin and adzuki for the solstice, and a hot bath with whole yuzu.
  11. No. 65 · Winter solstice26–30 Dec

    麋角解

    Deer shed antlers

    Sawashika no tsuno otsuru

    In nature
    Stags drop their antlers. Households clean, pound mochi and hang pine at the gate for the new year.
    On the table
    Toshikoshi soba on New Year's Eve, and osechi dishes being prepared.
  12. No. 66 · Winter solstice31 Dec – 4 Jan

    雪下出麦

    Wheat sprouts under snow

    Yuki watarite mugi nobiru

    In nature
    Under the snow, winter wheat is already growing. Temple bells ring 108 times at midnight.
    On the table
    Osechi in lacquer boxes, ozōni soup with mochi and spiced otoso sake.
  13. No. 67 · Lesser cold5–9 Jan

    芹乃栄

    Parsley flourishes

    Seri sunawachi sakau

    In nature
    Water dropwort grows thick in cold streams. The year's coldest month begins.
    On the table
    Nanakusa-gayu, rice porridge with seven spring herbs, on 7 January.
  14. No. 68 · Lesser cold10–14 Jan

    水泉動

    Springs thaw

    Shimizu atataka o fukumu

    In nature
    Under the ice, spring water starts to move. Breath shows white in the onsen towns at dawn.
    On the table
    Kagami-mochi broken and eaten in zenzai, kanburi and winter strawberries.
  15. No. 69 · Lesser cold15–19 Jan

    雉始雊

    Pheasants start to call

    Kiji hajimete naku

    In nature
    Cock pheasants call from the frozen fields. Wintersweet flowers yellow and fragrant in the gardens.
    On the table
    Azuki-gayu for Koshōgatsu, kanburi and hot sake by the hearth.
  16. No. 70 · Greater cold20–24 Jan

    款冬華

    Butterbur sprouts

    Fuki no hana saku

    In nature
    Butterbur buds push up through the snow. Okinawa's kanhizakura cherries come into flower.
    On the table
    Fuki-no-tō buds, kan-shijimi clams and sake brewed in the cold season.
  17. No. 71 · Greater cold25–29 Jan

    水沢腹堅

    Ice thickens on streams

    Sawamizu kōri tsumeru

    In nature
    Streams freeze thick and icicles hang from the eaves. Drift ice reaches the Okhotsk coast.
    On the table
    Kanburi, oysters and anko hotpot, eaten with the doors shut.
  18. No. 72 · Greater cold30 Jan – 3 Feb

    雞始乳

    Hens start laying eggs

    Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku

    In nature
    Hens begin to lay again as the days lengthen. Setsubun beans are thrown to drive the winter out.
    On the table
    Ehōmaki rolls and roasted soybeans for Setsubun, and the first nanohana.

Source note: names and dates follow the commonly published modern table of the 72 kō. Verify against a reliable source before launch. Readings vary; some kō have more than one accepted romanisation.