The Japanese Lunisolar Calendar
In addition to the four seasons familiar to Westerners, Japan and other East Asian countries observe 24 “solar terms” that mark off segments of the lunisolar calendar. In some ways, these shorter periods and their names are a closer reflection of the actual changes nature and the weather go through during the year.
The solar terms can be divided even more finely, into three 5-day periods each, called the 七十二候 (the “72 seasons”). This system of subdividing the year according to the motions of the sun and moon originated in ancient China but was revised by the Japanese court astronomer 渋川春海 (Shibukawa Shunkai). Possibly as a result of this, some of the 72 seasons differ from their Chinese counterparts.
We are currently enjoying the solar term 清明 (せいめい), “clear and bright season”, until April 20th, which will usher in 穀雨 (こくう), “season of grain rain”. We are in the middle period of 清明, which is called 鴻雁北 (こうがん きたす), the season in which geese (雁) fly north.
4 months ago