About Risshun, the beginning of spring
Spring is the period from Risshun (the first day of spring) to before Rikka (the first day of summer). According to the solar calendar, Setsubun is around the 3rd of February and Risshun is around the 4th. The first day of summer is around the 6th of May, so spring ends day before that. Even though it’s spring, it’s still cold in early February and it seems a long way off before the trees and plants start to bud and we can change into our spring clothes.
It’s the beginning of the year according to the lunar calendar too. When we the Japanese hear the word ‘Risshun’ we feel refreshed. Perhaps because of the anticipation of the beginning of spring, Risshun is the only one of the 24 solar terms which is often featured on TV. Others tend to be forgotten in modern times.
It’s the end of the cold season.
Rikka 24 divisions of the old calendar ‘Nijushi sekki’
Spring is the period from Risshun (the first day of spring) to the day before Rikka (the first day of summer), which corresponds to the months of January, February and March in the lunar calendar. In meteorology, however, spring falls in the months of March, April and May, and this is the more realistic sense of the seasons for people living in the modern world.
Spring ‘Haru’
The Japanese call spring ‘haru’.
There are many theories about the origin of the word ‘haru’. It would mean that the weather is ‘clear’ or the buds on the trees and plants are ‘put up’. Either conveys the anticipation of a warmer season. ‘Haru’ discribes the season precisely.
72 Divisions of the solar year ‘Shichijuni-ko’
The 72 divisions of the solar year is that the seasons are further divided into 5-day intervals to show the changes in the seasons.
1. Spring wind blowing, the 4th of February
It is the time of the year when the harsh cold suddenly eases and the wind blows from the east. The cold of the winter wind still lingers, but the soft breeze that heralds spring. The wind melts the ice that has been there all winter.
2. Japanese nightingale sings
The Japanese nightingale, the bird that heralds spring, begins to chirp. The kanji word for this division is not used in modern parlance, but it describe the beautiful sound of the birds’ singing. At the beginning of spring, the song of the Japanese nightingale is not melodious, but as spring progresses it improves. Even in the Sayama Hills you can hear the song.
3. The fish jump out of the broken ice
It represents the time of year when the ice on ponds and rivers melts and the fish jump out of the broken ice. As the cold gradually eases, we can see the creatures gradually becoming more active. It’s also time to start fishing.
Sweets for the first day of spring
Tsubaki Mochi
A charming rice cake sandwiched between two small camellia leaves is a classic early spring treat. Placing them on the leaves is very elegant.
Tsubaki Mochi is usually made from Domyoji flour. It is not available in all Wagashi shops, so it is recommended to preorder it at famous Wagashi shops even in Japan.
