August 23rd – August 27th, 2026 is Autumn – Start of SHOSHO (manageable heat)-40th KOU “WATA (cotton) bursts forth.”
The season of 24 SEKKI (Major divisions) has progressed and now have entered SHOSHO. Although the first character in SHOSHO implies a “stopping” or “end” and the second refers to “heat,” the forecast for today’s high is a sweltering 35°C.
This time of year corresponds to the 40th KOU, a period when WATA bolls burst open, revealing the fluffy white WATA inside.
However, the WATA plants I tried to grow this year—using seeds harvested last season—failed completely; the sprouts withered halfway through, and none of them survived 😰
The safflowers I grew from last year’s seeds thrived (off course, naturally, they have withered by now), and the okra—also grown from last year’s ones—is doing well despite this heat. Okra flowers look quite similar to WATA flowers.
Recalling where I had spotted WATA before, I visited a few locations.
There it was! The WATA bolls were swelling up nicely.
2026/08/23