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The 72 Seasons - June 2023

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The 72 Seasons - June 2023

Jun 1, 2023

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.

小満 Shōman (Lesser Ripening)

  • May 31–June 5: 麦秋至 mugi no toki itaru (Wheat Ripens)

芒種 Bōshu (Grain Beards & Seeds)

  • June 6–10: 蟷螂生 kamakiri shōzu (Praying Mantises Hatch)
  • June 11–15: 腐草為螢 kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru (Rotten Grass Becomes Fireflies)
  • June 16–20: 梅子黄 ume no mi kibamu (Plums Turn Yellow)

夏至 Geshi (Summer Solstice)

  • June 21–26: 乃東枯 natsukarekusa karuru (Self-heal Withers)
  • June 27–July 1: 菖蒲華 ayame hana saku (Irises Bloom)

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Midway through the summer, the wheat fields can be clearly seen from a distance, as they are dotted with golden fields amidst the rice paddies filled with water. The early summer, when wheat is ready for harvest, is called "Mugi-Autumn" and after wheat harvesting comes rice planting, which is a busy time for farmers. The rainy season will soon begin. At the same time, hundreds of tiny praying mantis begin to emerge one by one from the spongy eggs laid in the fall. The other interesting thing is, the rice’s little stalks in the wet paddy fields look almost like the praying mantis. One of the most exciting scenes in summer is waiting to see the fireflies flowing through the rice paddies at night. What a beautiful and fantastic sight! The fruit of Plum was believed to be more effective against all diseases and was introduced from China as a medicinal plant in the Nara period (710-794). During the rainy season, when the body's immune system is weakened, plum fruits rich in citric acid, have long been valued for their ability to relieve fatigue and stimulate the appetite.

The summer solstice is the day with the longest day and shortest night of the year, from now on, the heat will increase day by day. The rainy season will soon arrive. The rainy season is called Tsuyu meaning plum rain, the rain that falls when the plums are ripe for the picking. Selfheal has purple flowers, it wilts in summer as if it were dying, but actually, it enters the fruiting period. It has been used as an important medicine. Another purple flower also blooms at this time, that is Iris. Their overwhelming beauty changes to greater life and have a healing effect on cloudy or rainy days. In addition to the common purple color, Iris has other colors such as white, yellow, blue, and pink.

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麦秋至 mugi no toki itaru (Wheat Ripens)

 

蟷螂生 kamakiri shōzu (Praying Mantises Hatch)

 

腐草為螢 kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru (Rotten Grass Becomes Fireflies)

 

 

 梅子黄 ume no mi kibamu (Plums Turn Yellow)

 

乃東枯 natsukarekusa karuru (Self-heal Withers)

 

菖蒲華 ayame hana saku (Irises Bloom)

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