Category Archives: Nature

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”

紅葉 (kō-yō) “Red autumn leaves”

Japan is famous for its annual “cherry blossom season”. 🌸 Less well known is that autumn leaves are also widely celebrated. 🍁 Many people take trips to famous temples and shrines, parks and forests, in order to see the beautiful autumn colours. 🍂

一葉知秋 (ichi-yō-chi-shū) “from just one leaf one can know that autumn has come”

一 = one 葉 = leaf 知 = to know 秋 = autumn This phrase is about understanding the essence, changes, or decline of things from noticing slight signs or phenomena. It refers to realising the arrival of autumn by observing a single leaf fall.

霜月 (shimotsuki) “November” (archaic) (literally “the month of frost”)

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 “霜月 (shimotsuki) “November” (archaic) (literally “the month of frost”)”

秋 (aki) autumn

Anyone who’s lived in Japan will know that they have many, many national holidays. The autumn and spring equinoxes are national holidays too. Japanese people seem to really like acknowledging the changing of the seasons. Restaurant menus (even cheap places) will have autumn-themed menus with pumpkin, chestnuts and mushrooms, and many people enjoy going toContinueContinue reading “秋 (aki) autumn”

森林浴 (shin-rin-yoku) “forest-bathing”

森林 = forest (look at all the 木 trees in these 2 kanji!) 浴 = bathing Literally translating as “forest-bathing”, 森林浴 shin-rin-yoku refers to spending time in a forest for mental and physical relaxation.

葉月 (hazuki) “August” (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 “葉月 (hazuki) “August” (archaic)”