It will soon be blossom season in Japan! By far the most famous of Japanese blossoms are cherry blossoms, but they’re not the first spring flower to bloom. Plum blossom usually start appearing as early as mid-February. Although not as dramatic as the more-famous cherry blossoms, they are well-loved for their subtle beauty. The imageContinueContinue reading “梅 (umé) plum”
Category Archives: Months and Seasons
如月 (kisaragi) “February” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month One”, February is “Month Two”, etc: 一月 = January 二月 = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinueContinue reading “如月 (kisaragi) “February” (archaic)”
鬼 (oni) “Demon”
Sometimes translated as “demon”, “devil” or “ogre”, an oni is a traditional Japanese monster typically depicted as wearing a tiger pelt and carrying an iron club. They usually have red or blue skin and horns. They are popular characters in Japanese fairy tales and legends. In early February the annual bean-throwing festival is practiced toContinueContinue reading “鬼 (oni) “Demon””
冬 (fuyu) “winter”
睦月 (mu-tsu-ki) “January” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month One”, February is “Month Two”, etc: 一月 = January 二月 = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinueContinue reading “睦月 (mu-tsu-ki) “January” (archaic)”
午 = “Horse”???? 🐎
The usual kanji for horse is 馬, so does this mean there are two ways of writing “horse”? Kind of! Japan uses the Chinese Zodiac system in which each year is assigned one of 12 animals. When referring to these animals in the context of the Chinese Zodiac (and not as just regular animals), aContinueContinue reading “午 = “Horse”???? 🐎”
馬 (uma) “horse” 🐴
Japan uses the Chinese Zodiac system in which each year is assigned one of 12 animals. 2026 is the Year of the Horse 🐴
書初め (kakizomé) The First Calligraphy of the New Year
New Year’s is the biggest festival in Japan. As a time for new beginnings, it is often observed by doing activities “for the first time in the new year”. The first calligraphy of the new year is called 書初め (kakizomé). The kanji: 書 = writing (as in 書道 – Japanese calligraphy, or “the way ofContinueContinue reading “書初め (kakizomé) The First Calligraphy of the New Year”
熊蟄穴 When bears begin to hibernate
The Japanese year used to be divided into 72 “micro-seasons”. These seasons were based on natural events such as the weather and the appearance of various plants and animals. Next week is the start of 熊蟄穴. The kanji: 熊 = bear 蟄 = hibernation 穴 = hole, den = the time when bears start theirContinueContinue reading “熊蟄穴 When bears begin to hibernate”
師走 (shiwasu) “December” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month one” 一月, February is “Month two” 二月, etc. However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar to the French Revolutionary calendar).ContinueContinue reading “師走 (shiwasu) “December” (archaic)”
Calligraphy by Vicky 