December 22nd – December 25th, 2025 is Winter – TOJI (Winter solstice)-64th KOU “Self-heal sprouts”
It’s the winter solstice.
Interestingly, on the SHICHIJYUNIKOU calendar, a plant appears that is said to “sprout” at this time of year when the days are shortest, and then withers and dies at the summer solstice, when the days are longest (in fact, the purple flower spikes turn brown towards the end of summer, which is why they appear to wither).
It is the NATSUKAREKUSA (Self-heal) meaning NATSU (summer)-KARE (withered)-KUSA (plants).
I planted two NATSUKAREKUSA in my garden last year, they are still very fresh as you can see the image, even at this time of year! If you look closely, some of the flower spikes still retain their purple color.
They seem to know how to enjoy the sunlight, even though it becomes at its lowest during this season.
