72 Seasons: March

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.

雨水 Usui (Rainwater)

• March 1–5: 草木萌動 Sōmoku mebae izuru (The Budding of Grass & Trees)

啓蟄 Keichitsu (Insects Awaken)

• March 6–10: 蟄虫啓戸 Sugomori mushito o hiraku (Hibernating Insects Surface)
• March 11–15: 桃始笑 Momo hajimete saku (First Peach Blossoms)
• March 16–20: 菜虫化蝶 Namushi chō to naru (Caterpillars Become Butterflies)

春分 Shunbun (Spring Equinox)

• March 21–25: 雀始巣 Suzume hajimete sukū (Sparrows Start to Nest)
• March 26–30: 櫻始開 Sakura hajimete saku (First Cherry Blossoms)

________________________________________________________________________________

It’s March, and we can truly feel the arrival of spring and the beginning of new life. The ground and tree branches awaken with small, fresh green buds, while tender shoots emerge beneath our feet and along the roadsides, filling the landscape with the soft promise of the season.

Keichitsu marks the awakening of dormant animals. As the sun continues to warm the earth, the season brings louder spring thunderstorms, a natural signal of renewal. The rumbling of these storms is said to stir hibernating creatures, while insects begin to emerge from the soil. Farmers view the first spring thunderstorm on Keichitsu as a fortuitous sign of a bountiful harvest to come.

Peach blossoms begin to bloom during this time, bridging the seasonal gap between the plum and cherry blossoms. Introduced to Japan from China during the Yayoi period (300 BCE–300 CE), peaches have long been considered sacred trees believed to ward off evil spirits. The tradition of decorating with peach blossoms for Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival) is rooted in this ancient belief. Meanwhile, caterpillars that survived the harsh winter are reborn as graceful butterflies, fluttering freely over vibrant spring fields.

Shunbun (Spring Equinox) is a national holiday in Japan dedicated to "honoring nature and respecting all living things." In ancient times, when agriculture was the cornerstone of life, the vernal equinox served as a critical marker for the start of planting and other agricultural work. Even today, this seasonal shift holds great significance as a symbol of balance and renewal.

This is also the time when sparrows begin building their nests. These small, lively birds, which live near fields and homes, are some of Japan’s most familiar wildlife and have inspired countless haiku and folktales.

By the end of March, cherry blossoms—the iconic symbol of Japan—are in full bloom across much of the country. Revered as the "national flower," cherry blossoms embody spiritual ideals such as nobility, transience, and beauty. The annual Hanami tradition celebrates this fleeting beauty, bringing families and friends together for picnics beneath the blossoms to share boxed lunches, drinks, and the joy of spring.

________________________________________________________________________________

草木萌動 Sōmoku mebae izuru (The Budding of Grass & Trees)

蟄虫啓戸 Sugomori mushito o hiraku (Hibernating Insects Surface)

桃始笑 Momo hajimete saku (First Peach Blossoms)

菜虫化蝶 Namushi chō to naru (Caterpillars Become Butterflies)

雀始巣 Suzume hajimete sukū (Sparrows Start to Nest)

櫻始開 Sakura hajimete saku (First Cherry Blossoms)