The 72 Seasons - July 2024

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.

夏至 Geshi (Summer Solstice)

• June 27–July 1: 菖蒲華 ayame hana saku (Irises Bloom)
• July 2–6: 半夏生 hange shōzu (Crow-Dipper Sprouts)

小暑 Shōsho (Lesser Heat)

• July 7–11: 温風至 atsukaze itaru (Warm Winds Blow)
• July 12–16: 蓮始開 hasu hajimete hiraku (First Lotus Blossoms)
• July 17–22: 鷹乃学習 taka sunawachi waza o narau (Hawks Learn to Fly)

大暑 Taisho (Greater Heat)

• July 23–28: 桐始結花 kiri hajimete hana o musubu (Paulownia Blossoms)
• July 29–August 2: 土潤溽暑 tsuchi uruōte mushi atsushi (Earth is Damp, Air is Humid)

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In July, warm winds from the southern area start to blow, and the days become hot and humid. The heat will be increasing day by day. A beautiful Milky Way can be seen when the plum rain season ends. Tanabata is the night of July 7, when Orihime and Hikoboshi cross the Milky Way and meet only once a year. People write their wishes on tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches

At this time, the earth is damp, the air is humid, and some summer plants have started. A water-loving plant called “hangesho (Crow-dipper)” starts to turn half-white, just as Geisha artists paint their faces with white makeup in Gion, Kyoto. Shōsho is the time of year when the heat is in full swing. The cicadas begin to sing, and warm and moist air is coming. In the pond, the "pure heart" and "sacred" lotuses slowly open their buds and begin to bloom with grace and purity. Young hawks begin to learn how to fly, hunt, and prepare to leave the nest for solitude during this season.

Taisho is the hottest time of the year. During this period, people wear traditional Japanese yukatas to participate in festivals and see fireworks. Paulownia blooms in early summer with light purple bell-shaped flowers, and now, they start to bear egg-shaped fruits. In the forest, trees, plants, and flowers enjoy the abundant moisture by growing greener and greener.

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半夏生 hange shōzu (Crow-Dipper Sprouts)

温風至 atsukaze itaru (Warm Winds Blow)

蓮始開 hasu hajimete hiraku (First Lotus Blossoms)

鷹乃学習 taka sunawachi waza o narau (Hawks Learn to Fly)

桐始結花 kiri hajimete hana o musubu (Paulownia Blossoms)

土潤溽暑 tsuchi uruōte mushi atsushi (Earth is Damp, Air is Humid)