72 Seasons: January

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.

冬至 Tōji (Winter Solstice)

• January 1–4: 雪下出麦 Yuki watarite mugi nobiru (Wheat Sprouts Under Snow)

小寒 Shōkan (Lesser cold)

• January 5–9: 芹乃栄 Seri sunawachi sakau (Parsley Flourishes)
• January 10–14: 水泉動 Shimizu atataka o fukumu (Springs Start to Thaw)
• January 15–19: 雉始雊 Kiji hajimete naku (Pheasants Start to Call)

大寒 Daikan (Greater cold)

• January 20–24: 欵冬華 Fuki no hana saku (Butterburs Bud)
• January 25–29: 水沢腹堅 Sawamizu kōri tsumeru (Ice Thickens on Streams)

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Although January marks the beginning of the calendar year, it is not the first season in Japan. By the end of the year, wheat sprouts have already turned green. During winter, even when the land is blanketed in thick snow, these sprouts patiently await the warmth of spring, embodying a quiet sense of hope for the season to come.

Shōkan ushers in a period of even colder weather. It is customary for people to send winter greeting cards expressing concern for the recipient’s health. Starting January 5, Japanese parsley begins to sprout. As one of the seven traditional spring herbs, this plant thrives near cold water and is known for its distinct, strong aroma. It is believed to aid digestion, stimulate appetite, and reduce fever. By January 10, the frozen waters of springs begin to stir ever so slightly—a subtle but significant sign of nature’s resilience, encouraging us to attune ourselves to such delicate changes.

During this time, male pheasants begin their calls to attract mates. The green pheasant, Japan’s national bird, holds a special place in folklore. In old tales, it is celebrated for its role in vanquishing demons and is said to possess the ability to sense earthquakes. Daikan follows as the coldest phase of the year, yet it also signals the approaching end of winter and the long-awaited arrival of spring.

This period is marked by the emergence of butterbur buds, the first harbingers of spring. These resilient plants push through the snow, announcing the season’s change. Butterbur is also an essential winter vegetable, providing much-needed nutrition during this sparse time of year. By January 25, ice thickens on streams, and temperatures often reach their lowest of the year, dipping below freezing in many regions. Streams solidify, basins and buckets freeze over, and icicles hang from rooftops, creating a vivid tableau of winter’s grip.

As the days progress, the signs of spring grow more pronounced, reminding us of nature's enduring rhythm and the hope it carries with it.

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雪下出麦 Yuki watarite mugi nobiru (Wheat Sprouts Under Snow)

芹乃栄 Seri sunawachi sakau (Parsley Flourishes)

水泉動 Shimizu atataka o fukumu (Springs Start to Thaw)

雉始雊 Kiji hajimete naku (Pheasants Start to Call)

欵冬華 Fuki no hana saku (Butterburs Bud)

水沢腹堅 Sawamizu kōri tsumeru (Ice Thickens on Streams)