July 28th – August 1st, 2025 is Summer – Middle of TAISHO (greater heat)-35th KOU “Earth is damp, air is humid.”
Now season is right in the middle of the Great Heat. The 35th KOU tells us that the soil is moist and the weather is humid. A sudden shower in the midst of full sunshine makes the Earth damp and humid.
On July 18, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the rainy season in the Shinshu region had ended (later, the date was revised to around June 28th). Since the start of TAISHO (greater heat) on the 22nd, the hottest days of the year have continued.
Yes, It’s the summer time. But too hot!
Normally, there would be a few showers, but this year there has been very little. Even if there was rain, it was not enough to moisten the soil. Even though they are “summer” vegetables, they will wither and die if they are not watered every two or three days.
Come to think of it, there was very little rain during the rainy season either. In the rice-producing city of IIYAMA and the neighboring city of JOETSU (NIIGTA Prefecture), water shortages appear to be beginning to affect rice growth.
