In ancient times Japanese people divided the year into 72 “micro-seasons”. These seasons were based on natural events such as the weather and appearance of various flora and fauna.
Today marks the start of 熊蟄穴
熊 = bear
蟄 = hibernation. (It traditionally refers to the hibernation of insects; the more common word for animal hibernation is 冬眠 – literally “winter sleep”.)
穴 = hole, den
So, the time when bears start hibernating in their dens.
Calligraphy by Vicky 