The 72 Seasons - June

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

Midway through the summer, the rice is planted in the wet paddy fields of Japan, their little stalks looking almost like the praying mantis. Fireflies start to dart around in the early evening.  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.

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. Selfheal wither has purple flowers, it wilts in summer and enters the fruiting period. It has been used as an important medicine.

Iris is a vivid purple flower that blooms in early summer. Their overwhelmingly beauty changes to greater life and have a healing effect on cloudy or rainy days.

芒種 Bōshu (Grain beards and seeds)

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

夏至 Geshi (Summer solstice)

乃東枯 Natsukarekusa karuru Self-heal withers

菖蒲華 Ayame hana saku Irises bloom