The 72 Microseasons of Japan

## Finding Poetry in Nature's Subtle Changes

In Japan, the changing seasons have always held deep cultural significance. While most of us experience a typical four seasons, traditional Japanese culture recognizes a more nuanced progression of time: the **72 microseasons** (七十二候, *shichijūni kō*). I think it's this focus that leads to Japanese people asking visitors if they have seasons in their countries.

### A Calendar of Poetic Moments

The 72 microseasons divide the year into periods of roughly five days each. Unlike the Western calendar's rigid months, these divisions mark subtle natural phenomena: *Harukaze kōri o toku* ("East wind melts the ice"), *Sakura hajimete saku* ("First cherry blossoms"), *Higurashi naku* ("Evening cicadas sing").

This system originated in ancient China and was adapted for Japan's climate around the 8th century AD. It's built on top of the 24 solar terms ("*sekki*"), which themselves divide the year into ~15-day periods aligned with the sun's position.

### The Structure

```
Year → 4 Seasons → 24 Solar Terms → 72 Microseasons
(3 months) (~15 days) (~5 days)
```

Each solar term contains three microseasons:

| Solar Term | Meaning | Example Microseasons |
|------------|---------|----------------------|
| 立春 Risshun | Start of Spring | East wind melts ice, Warblers sing, Fish emerge |
| 夏至 Geshi | Summer Solstice | Self-heal withers, Irises bloom, Crow-dipper sprouts |
| 秋分 Shūbun | Autumn Equinox | Thunder ceases, Insects hole up, Farmers drain fields |
| 冬至 Tōji | Winter Solstice | Self-heal sprouts, Deer shed antlers, Wheat sprouts under snow |

### Why This Matters Today

In our age of climate control and supermarket seasons, we've largely disconnected from nature's rhythms. The microseasons offer a gentle invitation to pay attention again:

- **Notice the small things**: The first hint of plum blossoms, the return of swallows, the way morning dew appears differently through the year.

- **Embrace impermanence**: Each microseason lasts only five days. Like everything beautiful, it passes. This echoes the Buddhist concept of *mujō* (無常).

- **Live seasonally**: Traditional Japanese cuisine (*washoku*) emphasizes seasonal ingredients. The microseasons provide a framework for eating with nature's rhythm.

### The Microseasons in Practice

On this site, you'll see a microseason card in the sidebar showing the current period along with its poetic Japanese name. It's a small reminder that time moves not just in hours and days, but in the blooming of peonies and the flight of geese.

Some favorites throughout the year:

**Spring**
- 櫻始開 (*Sakura hajimete saku*) — First cherry blossoms (Mar 26-30)
- 虹始見 (*Niji hajimete arawaru*) — First rainbows (Apr 15-19)

**Summer**
- 腐草為螢 (*Kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru*) — Rotting grass becomes fireflies (Jun 11-15)
- 蓮始開 (*Hasu hajimete hiraku*) — First lotus blossoms (Jul 12-16)

**Autumn**
- 菊花開 (*Kiku no hana hiraku*) — Chrysanthemums bloom (Oct 13-17)
- 楓蔦黄 (*Momiji tsuta kibamu*) — Maple leaves turn yellow (Nov 2-6)

**Winter**
- 熊蟄穴 (*Kuma ana ni komoru*) — Bears retreat to their dens (Dec 12-16)
- 雪下出麦 (*Yuki watarite mugi nobiru*) — Wheat sprouts under snow (Jan 1-4)

## Further Reading

- [Nippon.com: Japan's 72 Microseasons](https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00124/)
- [Kyoto Journal: The 72 Micro Seasons](https://kyotojournal.org/uncategorized/the-72-japanese-micro-seasons/)
- [Kurashi no Gendai: 72 Seasons App](https://kurashikaru.com/72-seasons/)

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*The microseason card on this site updates daily, showing you where we are in this ancient cycle. Take a moment to notice what's happening in nature around you—you might be surprised how closely it matches these centuries-old observations.*

![A ripe persimmons fruit on a tree branch, surrounded by natural green foliage, under a sunny sky.](https://media.cogley.jp/microblog/2023/88f2c66b-9e60-4034-95ab-08ce09367938.jpeg)