72 Seasons: February

In Japan, there are 72 subdivision seasons called the shichijuni kou. The seasons are named after the birds, insects, plants, and weather of each change in nature every five days.

大寒 Daikan (Greater Cold)

• January 30–February 3: 鶏始乳 Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku (Hens Start Laying Eggs)

立春 Risshun (Beginning of Spring)

• February 4–8: 東風解凍 Harukaze kōri o toku (East Wind Melts the Ice)
• February 9–13: 黄鶯睍睆 Kōō kenkan su (Willow Warbler Starts Singing)
• February 14–18: 魚上氷 Uo kōri o izuru (Fish Emerge Out of the Broken Ice)

雨水 Usui (Rainwater)

• February 19–23: 土脉潤起 Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru (Snow Melts & Moistens the Soil)
• February 24–28: 霞始靆 Kasumi hajimete tanabiku (Fog Starts to Float)

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“鶏始乳” (Kei Hajimete Niou) is the final of the 72 micro-seasons in the Japanese calendar. It signifies the time when hens begin to lay eggs. Historically, hens would only produce eggs from spring to early summer, making eggs a highly valued and seasonal delicacy. This micro-season also marks the conclusion of the long, harsh winter.

Risshun, the beginning of spring, symbolizes renewal, warmth, and the promise of new life. The first micro-season of the year is “Eastern Wind Melts the Ice.” During this time, plum blossoms begin to bloom, their delicate fragrance carried by the gentle spring breeze. The season's first warbler song, called hatsune, resonates as the Willow Warbler, often referred to as the "spring bird," announces the arrival of spring. With the sun's warmth, the sounds of the season fill the air, evoking joy and anticipation.

By mid-February, frozen rivers and lakes start to crack as the ice melts. Fish can be seen swimming in the slightly warmer waters, and on occasion, they leap onto the thin ice. In many regions, this is when restrictions on mountain stream fishing begin to ease, signaling the season's transition.

The next seasonal phase, Usui (Rainwater), marks the melting of snow into rain. This period brings the awakening of nature as plants and trees begin to sprout, heralding the start of the farming season. Melting mountain snow nourishes the fields, while hibernating animals stir from their slumber. Spring fog, or haze, creates a dreamlike landscape unique to this time of year. The sudden burst of green buds breaking through the earth and budding on branches fills the air with excitement, offering a long-awaited glimpse of spring's vitality.

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鶏始乳 Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku (Hens Start Laying Eggs)

東風解凍 Harukaze kōri o toku (East Wind Melts the Ice)

黄鶯睍睆 Kōō kenkan su (Willow Warbler Starts Singing)

魚上氷 Uo kōri o izuru (Fish Emerge Out of the Broken Ice)

土脉潤起 Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru (Snow Melts & Moistens the Soil)

霞始靆 Kasumi hajimete tanabiku (Fog Starts to Float)