January
2026/01/05-01/09 SERI (Japanese parsley) flourishes
January 5th-9th, 2026 is Winter-SHOKAN (Lesser cold)-67th KOU “SERI flourishes”
The first day of the 67th KOU is KAN-NO-IRI (the beginning of winter). From here comes SHOKAN (Lesser cold) and DAIKAN (Greater cold), the coldest times of the year.
At this time of year, when almost all fresh vegetables are gone, it is an old custom to search for some vegetables/herbs that are still growing in the fields and eat them while thinking about spring, one of which is SERI (Japanese parsley).
I finally found wild parsley!
I’d actually been looking for it for ages. According to websites, it grows wild all over the country, from suburban areas and farmland to mountainous regions, but for some reason I’d never seen it around here.
January 7th is the day to take NANAKUSA (seven vegetables/herbs)-GAYU (rice porridge).
*****
2025/01/10-01/14 Springs thaw
January 10th, 2025 – January 14th, 2025 is Winter – SHOKAN (Lesser cold)-68th KOU “Springs thaw.”
This morning’s minimum temperature was -6.8°C. It was the coldest day of the winter. I went out wearing an extra layer of long sleeves.
As I walked, the frost pillars on the ground crunched. The sunlight on my back began to make me break out in a slight sweat.
On days like this when radiation cooling is strong, the temperature can rise during the day. The forecast says it will reach 13°C…
Water is flowing around the ice. Do you think the water is warm as the 68th KOU says? Umm… actually, it was cold.
*****
2026/01/15-01/19 Pheasants start to call
January 15th-19th, 2024 is Winter-Shokan (lesser cold)-69th KOU “Pheasants start to call.”
When searching for the meaning of this phrase, many explanations say that pheasants enter breeding season and begin courtship behavior. Many also say that the breeding season begins around April.
??? ???
The author must have been conveying a longing for spring in the midst of this coldest season through the pheasant’s first call.
Along the Sai River, you can hear them calling all year round. This season, I heard their calls often, especially from November to December, and I have also seen them more often than usual.
However, they seem to sense my presence from quite a distance, and will suddenly jump up and fly away or run away (apparently at speeds of over 30km/h).
Because they are so sudden, I’ve never been able to get a good photo of them until now. This is the first time I’ve managed to capture them flying✌️
*****
2026/01/20-01/24 Butterburs bud
ave been conveying a longing for spring in the midst of this coldest season through the pheasant’s first call.
January 20th-24th, 2026 is Winter-Daikan (Greater cold)-70th KOU “Butterburs bud.”
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel warm in the room. The fan heater should turn on automatically 10 minutes before 6 a.m…. Yes, it’s working well.
I see! we’ve entered the coldest period of the year, the Greater Cold.
The temperature outside at 6 a.m. this morning was -4°C. There’s also a light snowfall. It’s light and fine snow, the kind that falls when it’s quite cold.
These past few days, the maximum temperature has been 11°C or 14°C on some days, but also 2°C or 4°C on others, and the minimum temperature has been -5.5°C or -6.4°C on some days. There has been a lot of fluctuation.
FUKI-NO-TOU (butterburs bud) have started to appear, the temperature fluctuated greatly, and today it even snowed, though. They show up at the same place and at the same time of year as always❤️
*****
2026/01/25-01/29 Ice thickens on streams
January 25th-29th, 2026 is Winter-DAIKAN (Greater cold)-71st KOU “Ice thickens on stream.”
The 71st KOU represents the time when the water in streams and waterfalls also freezes.
The height of the DAIKAN season, it’s definitely cold, but perhaps because there’s less humidity, it feels not so heavy one. The crisp, piercingly cold air makes me feel clear-headed, and I actually like it.
I found footprints on the completely frozen river. It surely is now easier to meet friends on the other side, isn’t it 😉
*****
2026/01/30-02/03 Hens start laying eggs
January 30th-February 3rd, 2026 is Winter-Daikan (Greater cold)-72nd KOU “Hens start laying eggs.”
The lunisolar calendar has finally come to an end, marking the end of the coldest period and harsh winter. From now on, the weather will gradually get warmer, and we will move towards spring.
“Hens start laying eggs” symbolizes the birth of life, and so the season approaches the end of the year with hopes for the arrival of a new spring.
Even in the sub-zero cold, the rooters are crowing as always. And nearby sparrows are gathering and waiting for food left behind by the chickens.
*****
February
2026/02/04-02/08 Spring wind melts the ice
February 4th, 2026–February 8th is Spring – RISSHUN (Beginning of spring)-1st KOU “Spring wind melts the ice”
Now, the lunisolar calendar comes into “Spring.” The first of the 72 KOU (micro-season) starts with RISSHUN (beginning of spring). Spring breezes blow, thawing the frozen earth.
That said, the temperature just before 7 am was -7°C and the sky was completely clear.
The moon! Looks like perfectly round. As the sky brighten, it was disappearing at the Northern Alps (bottom of the image) shining in the morning glow.
The lunisolar calendar is based on the phases of the moon and the movement of the sun. This morning, which was close to a full moon, is roughly halfway through the lunar cycle, or around the 15th date.
*****
2026/02/09-02/13 UGUISU (Bush warblers) start singing in the mountains
February 9th, 2026 –February 13th is Spring – RISSHUN (Beginning of spring)-2nd KOU “UGUISU (Bush warblers) start singing in the mountains”
On the 4th, 5th, and 6th, the first several days of spring according to the lunisolar calendar, the temperature was between 7 and 11 degrees. It’s warm enough to be comparable to early March. However, since yesterday, it has suddenly returned to winter. With this cold, UGUISU have not yet come out.
Incidentally, the earliest I heard the first singing of UGUISU between 2022 and 2025 was on February 24, 2025. This was still one to two weeks earlier than usual.
Even though it’s so cold, the winter birds seem unfazed. Are they ONAGAGAMO (northern pintails) ? I don’t see such many of them around here. They’re searching for food with their rears completely exposed 😂
This year, there is a rich variety and number of winter birds.
In NIIGATA and HOKURIKU region, known as a popular spot for migratory birds, heavy snowfalls like this season often bury food under the snow, making it difficult to find food, so an increasing number of them are again migrating to SHINSHU.
*****
2026/2/14-2/18 Fish emerge from ice
February 14th, 2026 –February 18th is Spring – RISSHUN (Beginning of spring)-3rd KOU “Fish emerge from ice” The thick ice is gradually melting, then fish emerge from the ice.
The pond (an agricultural reservoir) I visited last year was still completely covered in ice.
Raccoon dogs?
The footprints continued all the way to the other side. The melted, larger ones signal that spring is just around the corner.
*****
2026/02/19-02/22 Rain moistens the soil
February 19th, 2026 –February 22nd is Spring – USUI (Rainwater)-4rd KOU “Rain moistens the soil”
USUI (Rainwater), one of 24-SEKKI, represents the time when warm spring rains moisten the earth and plants begin to sprout. So in lunisolar calendar, USUI is a sign to start field works.
I went to my vegetable garden that have had very little done over the winter. The snow that fell last night has melted, leaving the soil nice and moist.
The snow peas planted at the end of December are doing well in the winter tunnel. It’s also nice that the little bit of snow that fell this morning has melted and wetted the seat.
I’m worried because the tips of the onion seedlings, planted in early November, have turned yellow. The savoy spinaches, which can withstand cold, are still small to be picked, and the spring cabbage leaves have spread out too much and are not yet round, ummm 🤔
*****
2026/2/23-2/27 KASUMI to linger
February 23rd, 2026 –February 27th is Spring – USUI (Rainwater)-5th KOU “KASUMI (spring haze) starts to linger” This is a sprig scene where a thin layer of KASUMI (spring haze) hangs over the sky.
The photo shows the view from the window of a SHINKANEN train (Bullet train). You can see a thin plume of smoke drifting into the distance. It’s amazing how well balanced it is with the air. The SHINKANSEN train seems to be chasing after it.
This area is a major apple producing area, and now is the busy season for pruning. The smoke is likely coming from burning pruned branches and dead grass.
*****
2026/02/28-03/04 Grass sprouts, trees bud
February 28th, 2026 –March 4th is Spring – USUI(Rainwater)-6th KOU “Grass sprouts, trees bud.” At the end of the USUI season, the ground becomes moist with melting snow and warm spring rains. It’s time plants begin to sprout.
It was pretty warm last week. The minimum temperature was around 5°C, which was a big factor. There was also a nice amount of rain.
Then, the leaves at the top of the trees are turning a light green. There are also reddish leaves, a color often seen in the early stages of bud formation. Small plants whose names I don’t know are also blooming with tiny blue, reddish-purple and white flowers.
It’s not just the plants. I heard the first song of UGUISU (Japanese bush warbler) on February 28th, and YAMABATO (turtle dove) is cooing right now. I also saw a fox that it’s been years since I’ve seen one this close.
The forests and fields have suddenly been becoming lively.
*****
March
2026/03/05-03/09 Hibernating insects surface
March 5th, 2026-March 9th is Spring-KEICHITSU(Insects awaken)-7th KOU “Hibernating insects surface.” It depicts hibernating insects crawling out of the soil as they sense the warmth.
This includes not only insects but also frogs, lizards, and snakes, none of which I have seen yet this year (things in the lunisolar calendar are about a month earlier than that in this area). By the way, the frog egg mass was found on March 3rd in 2024, March 13th in 2025, and not yet this year.
There were many traces of the soil being dug up all over the field. Those were molehills. Moles don’t hibernate, but they become less active during the winter. Now that it’s warmer, they’ve probably started roaming around again. Strangely enough, this is the only place where there are so many hills, and it’s their favorite field.
*****
2026/03/10-03/14 First MOMO (peach) blossoms
March 10th, 2026-March 14th is Spring-KEICHITSU (Insects awaken)-8th KOU “First MOMO (peach) blooms.” The 8th KOU represents the cozy atmosphere of spring, warm enough for MOMO blossoms to bloom.
In reality, the minimum temperature around here has been below 0°C for the past few days.
Although it was sunny today, the strong wind made it feel considerably colder.
The MOMO trees have begun to bud. Their branches stretch towards the blue sky, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their real spring.
According to a report from the Nagano Prefectural Government, the blossoms are expected to bloom around mid-April in 2026. That’s about a month away from full bloom!
*****
2026/03/15-03/19 Caterpillars become butterflies
March 15th, 2026-March 19th is Spring-Last stage of KEICHITSU (Insects awaken)-9th KOU “Caterpillars become butterflies.” The 9th KOU represents the arrival of real spring. It gets warm enough for caterpillars to turn into butterflies.
Here’s my first cabbage white butterfly this year! The rapeseed flowers that they love haven’t bloomed, though.
Was it just a newborn? It would be more accurate to say it was blown away by the wind rather than fluttering around. I looked for where it had been blown and found it! It was staying on top of some broccoli that had been left out after harvesting.
Broccoli is the same kind of rapeseed. This butterfly is quite clever, isn’t it?
In the fields, TANETSUKEBANA have begun to bloom. Since these are wild rapeseed flowers, we can see many butterflies fluttering here and there soon.
*****
2026/03/20-03/25 SUZUME (sparrows) start to nest
March 20th, 2026-March 25th is Spring-First stage of SHUNBUN (Spring equinox)-10th KOU “SUZUME start to nest.” In the 10th KOU, SUZUME have begun to build their nests.
The usual SUZUME are gathered at the usual hut. It seems they intend to raise their young here again this year. Everything looks the same as the last year.
However, is something different happening over there? The noisy starlings that usually claim their territory are nowhere to be seen, though.
Today is March 20th, the spring equinox. The days will get longer from now on.
The season of “KEICHITSU (insect awaken)” is over, and larvae and insects that serve as food for them will begin to move. SUZUME, hurry up and start building your nests!
*****
2026/03/26-03/30 First SAKURA (cherry blossoms)
March 26th, 2025-March 30th is Spring-Middle stage of SHUNBUN (Spring equinox)-11th KOU “First SAKURA (cherry blossoms).”
SAKURA blossom reports are coming in from all over the country. And it’s also graduation season. At this time, it is “Farewell-SAKURA.”
SAKURA in SHINSHU haven’t bloomed yet. The predicted date for full bloom in NAGANO City is April 5th, which is still earlier than usual. This is “Welcome-SAKURA” that blooms to coincide with spring events such as school entrance ceremonies and company induction ceremonies.
We had some much-needed rain yesterday afternoon to this morning. Rain at this time of year in early spring encourages the blooming of flowers, including cherry blossoms. It nourishes the flower buds and moistens the roots.
Plum blossoms are in full bloom in SHINSHU-SHINMACHI, near NAGANO City. Also, the Apricot Festival is apparently starting from today in CHIKUMA City.
*****
2026/03/31-04/04 Distant thunder
March 31st, 2025-April 4th is Spring-Last stage of SHUNBUN (Spring equinox)-12th KOU “Distant thunder.” The last day of March is into the last stage of SHUNBUN, the 12th KOU represents the unsettled spring weather as the seasons change.
In the past few days, the temperature has felt about a month earlier than usual. There have been many cloudy or drizzly days, and today was no exception, with light rain falling all day, resulting in gloomy weather.
Rain at this time of year in early spring encourages blooming of flowers, nourishes buds and moistens roots.
The pussy willows growing along the riverbank are beginning to turn a deep green. The mountain in the distance is once again covered in white, not because of the rain.
*****
April
2026/04/05-04/09 TSUBAME (swallows) return
April 5th, 2025-April 9th is Spring-First stage of SEIMEI (pure and clear)-13th KOU “TSUBAME (swallows return).” The 24 solar terms (SETSU) of the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar have entered the “SEIMEI” period. This signifies a time when everything is pure and full of vitality.
It’s April 2nd that I personally spotted my first swallow around the neighborhood, apparently they had been flying around the Nagano Station area for two weeks prior to that, though.
It was unfortunately drizzling that day, but they were flying around energetically. When I pointed the camera at them, they would fly over to face level and then make sharp turns, as if to say, “How’s that?!”
So, I was worried about whether I’d managed to take a good picture, but it turned out to be a pretty good one. It’s a little blurry, but you can really get a sense of the sharp turn, right?
Swallows use mud to build their nests. Light rain often falls around the time they return.
*****
2026/04/10-04/14 Wild geese fly north
April 10th, 2026-April 14th is Spring-Middle stage of SEIMEI (pure and clear)-14th KOU “Wild geese.” Birds that have spent the winter (saying “winter birds”) are migrating north. This is one of the spring scenes.
It’s still chilly in the mornings, but we’re turning off the heating more often during the day. When this comes into the weather, the so-called “migration” of winter birds that spent the winter in SHINSHU is over.
I went to the place where I had previously seen winter birds. It seemed they had already flown away. The river was flowing rapidly with the melting snow. It must be difficult for the birds to stay here.
Nevertheless, swallows were flying lightly, just above the water’s surface. Some birds are heading to the north, while others are coming from the south.
*****
April 15th, 2026-April 19th is Spring-Last stage of SEIMEI (Pure and clear)-15th KOU “First rainbows.” As spring progresses, humidity rises and it becomes easier to rain. The “first rainbows” represents spring is in full-swing and implied unsettled weather at the same time.
As spring progresses, humidity increases and rainy days become more frequent. This means we might see the first rainbow of the season.
It seems that several weather conditions need to occur simultaneously for a rainbow to appear. It needs to be during times when the sun is low in the sky, such as in the morning or evening, and there should be raindrops floating on the sky after it has rained. Of course, sunlight is also necessary, so the sun must not be completely hidden by clouds. That’s quite a demanding combination.
As the sun began to sink behind the clouds, and I thought it had completely disappeared, a strange but beautiful sight appeared, it only lasted a few minutes. The weather has been unsettled these past few days, but there are good things about it too, just like this.
*****
2026/04/19 New SHINSHU’s SHICHIJYUNI-KOU: #1 The 28th NAGANO Marathon (Athletes run through the late spring around NAGANO City)
The NAGANO Marathon was first held in 1999, the year after the 1988 Nagano Olympics, as a commemorative event.
This year, once again, approximately 10,000 runners gathered in NAGANO City👏
The temperature at noon today when many runners were still out running was 22℃. It must’ve been a bit tough.
The foothills are enveloped in a soft, lush green. The peach blossoms are beginning to fall, their deep red color contrasting beautifully with the green of the newly emerged leaves.
Furthermore, the addition of the runners’ colorful attire makes the scene even more spectacular, creating a unique and magnificent spectacle that can only be seen today.
*****
2026/04/20-04/24 First reeds sprout
April 20th, 2026-April 24th is Spring-First stage of KOKUU (Grain rains)-16th KOU “First reeds sprout.” As the 24 solar terms (a division of the year into 24 seasons) progress further, this period is called “KOKUU” (Grain Rain). KOKUU is considered a season that promotes the growth of grains, and in the past, it was used as a guideline for preparing to plant various crops, including rice. However, in and around Nagano City, preparations to rice planting usually begin rather later than the KOKUU period.
The reeds along the CHIKUMA River are growing rapidly. They seem bigger than last year. Reeds and rice are the same species, right?
KOKUU is not just for plants. Where bodies of water expand, creatures gather as well.
My walking route includes a pond that usually appears in early March. But this year, perhaps due to the dry weather and lack of rain, the pond didn’t form until early April. As soon as the pond forms, frogs begin croaking and laying eggs. When I found eggs on April 11th, some babies of tadpole were already moving inside eggs. I also saw herons and turtles; they were there to get their hands on the frog eggs.
2026/04/25-04/29 Last frost, rice seedlings grow
April 25th, 2026-April 29th is Spring-Middle stage of SEIMEI (Pure and clear)-17th KOU “Last frost, rice seedlings grow.” According to the SHICHIJYUUNIKOU (72 micro seasonal divisions), it’s getting warmer, the frost is gone, and it’s time for seedlings (especially rice) ready to start farming.
Yesterday’s weather forecast predicted a low of 4°C this morning. I didn’t think there would be any frost, but I was worried about NAGANEGI (Japanese leeks) planted two weeks ago, as I was thinking it might be a little early.
I went to check on them. They’re fine, they look healthy. The tulips in the back have already lost most of their flowers.
The summer harvest HAKUSAI (Chinese cabbage) planted at the same time are also doing well, and the lettuce, beets, and KABU (turnips) I sowed last week are sprouting from between the multipurpose sheets.
Next week, we should be getting in seedlings of popular home garden vegetables like cherry tomatoes, NASU (eggplants), and KYURI (cucumbers).
It’s going to be a busy week!
*****
2026/04/29 LIFEnatureSHINSHU Special: #2 TAKENOKO-JIRU (Bamboo shoot MISO soup)
The time has come for soul food at the HOKUSHIN area of SHINSHU. It’s TAKENOKO-JIRU, where TAKENOKO is a bamboo-shoot and JIRU (or SHIRU) is a soup.
TAKENOKO-JIRU is a kind of miso soup by simmering young shoots of NEMAGARIDAKE bamboo and canned mackerel together. Some families cook to bind them with eggs. Each family cooks in the special way and enjoys its own dish.
They’re appearing earlier this year. When I found them at the supermarket, there were only two bags left. I managed to snag one! It seems like other wild vegetables are also arriving much earlier than usual.
*****
2026/04/30-05/04 Peonies bloom
April 30th, 2026-May 4th is Spring-Last stage of SEIMEI (Pure and clear)-18th Peonies bloom.” The 18 KOU is the end of the KOKUU period, which also means the end of spring. The BOTAN (peony) that blooms at this time of year is a flower that heralds the transition from spring to summer. So, in the SHICHIJYUNI-KOU calendar, summer will have arrived when BOTAN flowers finish blooming.
I visited SEISUIJI Temple (WAKAHO, NAGANO City) again. This temple is affectionately known as the “BOTAN Temple.”
Approximately 70% of the BOTAN bushes in the garden were in bloom, the flowering situation is better than last year, though.
Deep purple, vibrant red, pale pink, and pure white, they were all truly beautiful. There were even a few rare orange flowers in bloom.
Perhaps due to this morning’s light rain, there were only three visitors, including myself. But Golden Week (spring holiday week) starts tomorrow, the BOTANs are surely waiting for many visitors to see them.
*****
May
2026/05/05-05/10 Frogs start singing
May 5th, 2025-May 10th is Summer-First stage of RIKKA (Beginning of summer)-19th KOU Frogs start singing.” The SHICHIJYUNIKOU calendar has finally entered RIKKAA. Frogs’ increased vocalizations represents the transition from spring to summer.
There’s a pond that only appears when it rains around this time of year.
Usually, the pond forms in mid-March, and tadpoles can be seen by April at the latest. However, this year March was quite dry, and even when it rained, it dried up quickly, which worried me. But then it rained in early April, and just as I thought a proper pond had formed, I immediately heard the sound of frogs croaking. The frogs must have been eagerly awaiting the rain.
Today, when I went to check on the pond for the first time in a while, the tadpoles had already hatched from their eggs and were swimming around energetically.
*****
2025/05/10 YUKIGATA (Shape of the lingering snow on a mountainside)
YUKIGATA; YUKI is snow and GATA is shape or figure.
When the snow that covered the mountain surface begins to melt, the contrast between the white of the snow and the blue-black on the mountain surface creates a unique pattern. They can also look like people, animals, or agricultural tools. In the old days when there were no weather forecasts, changes in the shape served as a good guide for farming.
I went to see the “Seed-Sowing Grandpa” that appears on Mt. JIIGATAKE (OMACHI City) again this year.
I’ve been coming to see him since around 2022, but I didn’t actually know there were two “Seed-Sowing Grandpas.” The big YUKIGATA on the left is the “Southern” Seed-Sowing Grandpa. And the smaller one to just its right is the “Northern” Grandpa, that I was unaware of.
This spring was warm, so the snow melted quickly, and it seems the “Northern Grandpa” also came out to do some farm work.
After checking, it turns out I met “Northern Grandpa” in 2024 as well ^^;
*****
2026/05/11-05/15 MIMIZU (earthworms) surface
May 11th 2026-May 15h is Summer-Middle stage of RIKKA (Beginning of summer)-20th KOU “MIMIZU (earthworms) surface.” Now, it’s RIKA, enough warm for MIMIZU active.
MIMIZU are such an important creature for agriculture, as they eat various organic matter in the soil and create compost-rich soil. That’s why the 20th KOU featured MIMIZU.
Preparations for the rice paddies have begun.
As soon as the tractor started digging the soil, many birds gathered. They were following and walking just behind it, searching for earthworms and larvae in the dug-up soil.
*****
2026/06/16-05/20 TAKENOKO (Bamboo shoots sprout)
May 16th, 2026-May 20th is Summer-Last stage of RIKKA (Beginning of summer)-21st KOU “TAKENOKO (bamboo shoots sprout).”
“TAKENOKO” is a food ingredient in season at this time of year and is a HAIKU’s seasonal word for summer.
This spring was warmer than usual, so it seems that the harvest of wild vegetables is about three weeks earlier than usual. Speaking of which, I enjoyed TAKENOKO-JIRU cooked with NEMAGRIDAKE (a variety of TAKENOKO), traditional local food around the north area of SHINSHU, about a month earlier than usual.
Remembering HACHIKU that usually appear earlier than NEMAGARIDAKE, I went to check on them. I was hoping they would have grown bigger in this warm weather, but they hadn’t grown much. Maybe it’s because it hasn’t rained recently. They say bamboo shoots grow dozens of centimeters with every rain shower, you know.
The forecast for Thursday is rain. I’m looking forward to going to see the HACHIKU this weekend💛
*****
2026/05/21-05/25 KAIKO (silkworms) start feasting on mulberry leaves
May 21st, 2026-May 25th is Summer-First stage of SHOMAN (Lesser ripening)-22nd KOU
SHOMAN, one of the 24 major divisions of the years is the season when all creative things are given birth to new life and it’s lesser ripening now, then gradually grow.
The 22nd KOU features silkworms growing large by eating mulberry leaves, symbolizing hope for even more “ripening” in the future.
From the MEIJI era to the TAISHO era (mid-1800s to early 1990s), SHINSHU was Japan’s leading silk weaving region. The few mulberry trees remaining along the paths between the rice paddies still hold traces of its former glory.
This morning’s rain made the mulberry leaves look even more delicious, of course for KAIKO. The young leaves were almost translucent, looking like something they would happily eat.
Wow, I found some red berries among the mulberry leaves! These are mine. But it looks like it’s a little too early to eat them.
*****
2026/05/25 LIFEnatureSHINSHU Special: #4 HIYASHI-CHUKA
It’s unusually hot for May. Today it reached 28.4°C. This week’s weather forecast shows numbers like 28, 29, or 30.
On such a hot day, HIYASHI-CHUKA (chilled Chinese-style noodles) is perfect.
This restaurant always serves it earlier than other places. Seeing the sign on the window is truly reassuring!
But, when I arrived, it was already closed. I had to be back home just peeking the inside from beside the beautiful sign…
*****
2026/05/26-30 BENIBANA bloom
May 26th- 30th, 2026 is Summer – SHOMAN (Lesser ripening) -23rd KOU “BENIBANA (safflowers) bloom”.
BENIBANA cultivation and industry in SHINSHU were not particularly thriving, but because it was an expensive dye material and even small quantities could be profitable, the MATSUSHIRO domain encouraged its cultivation. Also, because the ZENKOJI Plain was located at a key point on the HOKKOKU KAIDO, a route used to transport safflower from the MOGAMI region (YAMAGAT Prefecture), the largest BENIBANA producing area, to KYOTO, it is said that there were BENIBANA merchants in the area around the ZENKOJI Temple.
I sowed the seeds again this year. These were saved from flowers that bloomed last year. They’re growing incredibly well compared to last year, although we have to wait to see the flowers a bit. Last year’s flowers were also grown from seeds from the year before, so they are grandchildren BENIBANA. As I sowed them directly in the field, they might have remembered the environment their parents and grand-parents grew, and are growing exceptionally well✌
*****
2026/05/31-06/05 MUGI ripens and is harvested
May 31st- June 5th, 2026 is Summer – SHOMAN (lesser ripening) -24th KOU “MUGI ripens and is harvested.”
The 24th KOU, end of SHOMAN, marks the time when MUGI turns golden, signaling the approaching harvest season.
MUGI, both barley and wheat, are cultivated in the ZENKOJI-DAIRA area, but wheat appears to be more widely grown in this region.
The wheat harvest season is a little later, usually in late June. The most common variety here is YUMESEIKI, which is used for UDON noodles. SHINSHU is famous for its SOBA (buckwheat) noodles, but UDON noodle culture is also deeply rooted around the CHIKUMA River.
Meanwhile, what’s shining golden at this time of year is barley. The variety is “SHUNRAI,” used for MUGI-CHA (barley tea). When you see the large, drooping ears of barley, you can’t help but say that it is the season of “DAIMAN” (great fullness) rather than “SHOMAN” (lesser ripening).
Anyway, both MUGI is indispensable in the traditional local cuisine of SHINSHU.
2026/06/01
*****
June
2026/06/06-06/10 KAMAKIRI hatch
June 6th- June 10th, 2026 is Summer – First stage of BOSHU (Grain beards and seeds)-25th KOU “KAMAKIRI (mantises) hatch.”
Exactly three weeks ago, I found a KMAKIRI egg ootheca. I kept going back into the bamboo thicket every week, wondering when I’d see the babies.
Two weeks after the initial discovery, on May 31st, I found something resembling molted eggshells hanging there. They were still transparent and shiny, so I thought newly hatched babies might still be around there and searched them, but found nothing!
This year, we’ve already had several days that felt like summer, and according to NAGANO Local Meteorological Office, the temperature in Nagano City in May was 1.8°C higher than average. Thinking that the hatching might have been earlier than usual, I checked the records on this blog. However, there were only two entries ^^;
The earliest I found KAMAKIRI babies was on April 25th, 2023, and the next time was on June 1st, 2022 (it was brown, so it might have been a few days after hatching). And this year, they hatched around the same time. This suggests their behavior hasn’t changed.
In other words, KAMAKIRI have managed to survive by coexisting with nature very well.
2026/05/31
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2026/06/11-06/15 Rotten grass becomes HOTARU
June 11th- June 15th, 2026 is Summer – BOSHU (Grain beards and seeds)-26th KOU “Rotten grass becomes HOTARU (fireflies).”
Is there any relationship between “rotten grass” and “HOTARU.”
HOTARU larvae emerge from the water and become adults in holes dug in the soil. People in the past who saw something with glowing crawl out might believe that rotten grass becomes HOTARU.
In fact, this symbolizes the start of the rainy season.
It’s the same spot again this year. Just one. While it’s beautiful when there are many HOTARU flying around, seeing just one is quite moving in its own way.
Now, it’s “BOSHU” as the 24 SEKKI (major seasonal points). “BO” refers to the hairy tip of the ear of grasses, especially rice. Rice planting has completed around here, that’s truly hard work,
Let’s take a short break and relax while watching HOTARU
The NAGANO Local Meteorological Office announced on the 7th that “the rainy season appears to have begun in the SHINSHU region.”
2026/06/12
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2026/06/16-06/20 UME turns yellow
June 16th- June 20th, 2026 is Summer – End of BOSHU (Grain bears and seeds) -27th KOU “UME turns yellow.”
There’s an old UME (plum) tree along my walking path. It’s almost forgotten, covered by other plants, but this year it still produced some fine fruit, though not a huge quantity. I thought they were still green, but before I knew that they had turned yellow.
When talking about representative Japanese foods, you can’t help but mention UMEBOSHI (pickled plums) and UMESHU (plum wine).
Both UMEBOSHI and UMESHU have different tastes and flavors depending on whether green or yellow UME are used.
In this area of NAGNO City, we often eat firm and crispy UMEBOSHI. Of course, green and firm plums are best. However, traditional, soft UMEBOSHI use slightly ripe yellow UME.
The same goes for MESHU. Green UME are suitable for a refreshing UMESHU, while yellow ones are better for making a rich and fragrant one.
As long as it’s delicious, that’s all that matters ^^
2026/06/16
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2026/06/21-06/25 NATSUKAREKUSA (Self-heal) withers
June 21st- June 25th, 2026 is Summer – Start of GESHI (Summer solstice) – 28th KOU “NATSUKAREKUSA (self-heal) withers.”
The NATSUKAREKUSA literally means “a plant (KUSA) that withers (KARE) in summer (NATAU)” in Japanese. It gets its name from the fact that its flower spikes wither around the summer solstice. Because the withered flower spikes have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, it is also called KAGOSO in herbal medicine.
Today, on the summer solstice, the NATSUKAREKUSA in my garden have finished flowering and are beginning to wither. Only two flowers are managing to bloom.
There’s a mountain nearby where NATSUKAREKUSA grows wild. Until last year, I was always curious to see when it would wither, so I went to check on it several times. However, since there have been reports of bears appearing in the nearby mountains this year, I’m making do by looking at them in my garden.
2026/06/21
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2026/06/26-07/01 HANASHOBU (Japanese (water) irises) bloom
June 26th- July 1st, 2026 is Summer-Middle of GESHI (Summer solstice)-29th KOU “HANASHOBU (Japanese (water) irises) bloom.”
HANASHOBU has been loved by Japanese people since old days. Particularly during the Edo period, it appears that large-scale selective breeding was carried out. Then, now, there are said to be as many as 5,000 different varieties.
I don’t see them very often in my neighborhood. What I do see frequently are AYAME (Japanese irises) and KAKITSUBATA (rabbit-ear irises).
These HANASHOBU here began blooming around late May without waiting for the 29th KOU, and reached full bloom in early June. However, as of yesterday, their peak viewing period looked already passed.
Many of the descriptions in the 72 KOU calendar tend to run about a month ahead of the actual seasonal progression in SHINSHU region. However, the 29th KOU “HANASHOBU” is an exception, as it occurred later than the actual timing.
I wonder if one of the reasons is that the average temperatures in NAGANO City during April and May were significantly higher than usual.
2026/06/25
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July
2026/07/02-07/06 HANGE (crow-dipper) sprouts
July 2nd- July 6th, 2026 is Summer – End of GESHI (Summer solstice)-30th KOU “HANGE (crow-dipper) sprouts.”
The literal meaning of “HANGE” is “half of summer.”
The plant in the photograph goes by this name. It is said to have been named this way because it sprouts and grows during the height of summer.
Actually, the HANGE plant here bloomed in early May. That’s more than a month earlier than the description of the 30th-KOU, just like the NATSUKAREKUSA appeared in the previous KOU. And most of them had withered by the end of June.
But look! New shoots have appeared again, and they already have their distinctive shape (spathe). The vitality is amazing!
The rice planting and wheat harvesting are finished, and the apricot harvest is in full swing. Hopefully, thinning the apples and grapes will be finished by the beginning of this month. And after that, tending to the peaches also awaits.
The roots of HANGE plant are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Now, let’s draw some energy from it and get to work on the remaining farm tasks!
2026/07/02
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2026/07/07-07/11 Warm winds blow
July 7th – July 11th, 2026 is Summer – Start of SHOSHO (lesser heat)-31st KOU “Warm winds blow.”
We have entered the “SHOSHO” season according to the 24 solar terms.
Starting yesterday, I switched to a “summer schedule” and began waking up at 5:00 a.m. The idea was to go for a walk before the heat really set in.
I thought it might be a bit chilly given the early hour, but the air was actually delightful, perfect weather for the season of “warm winds blow.”
Here is the sky just before 6 o’clock.
If the cloud cover stays like this, it looks like ORIHIME (Vega, young lady) and HIKOBOSHI (Altair, young guy) will be able to meet. This is the legendary story of TANABATA (the Japanese star festival), today on July 7th is the only day in the year when the two star-crossed lovers are allowed to cross the Milky way to meet each other.
2026/07/07
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2026/07/12-07/16 First HASU (lotus) blossoms
These are lotus flowers blooming in the HOSHO-IKE Pond at ZENKO-JI Temple (NAGANO City). Although they aren’t in full bloom yet, many flowers had opened up harmonizing with the shifting of the “32nd KOU micro-seasons.” Just two weeks ago when I took my friend here, they were nothing more than buds.
The HASU flower has a deep connection with Buddhist teaching, it is depicted in paintings of paradise, and the pedestal on which the Buddha sits or stands is made of HASU flowers.
After viewing the flowers and stepping out onto the temple’s main approach, I happened to encounter the head priest as she was returning from the morning service, and performed the OJUZU-CHODAI ritual, lightly touching my head with her JUZU (prayer beads).
It surely is going to be a wonderful day!
2026/07/12 6:47 a.m.
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2026/07/17-07/22 TAKA (hawks) learn to fly
July 17th – July 22nd, 2026 is Summer – End of SHOSHO (Lesser heat)-33rd KOU “TAKA (hawks) learn to fly.”
TAKA chicks have learned how to fly and hunt, and are now preparing to leave the nest.
TUBAME (swallows) are so busy bringing food to their chicks, though they know that children too will soon be leaving parents. We also see KARUGAMO (spot-billed ducks) and KARASU (crows) in rice paddies nearby with their young, likely teaching them how to hunt for food.
On the other hand, some birds don’t take care of their young at all. KAKKO (cuckoos) lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and leave the raising to them. If you wake up early, you can hear the call.
It’s almost time for NAKABOSHI, draining the water from the rice paddies for several days. Doing so encourages the rice plants to develop strong root systems, resulting in sturdy, healthy crops.
2026/07/17 0550 a.m.
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2026/07/23-07/27 KIRI (paulownia) trees produce buds
July 23rd – July 27th, 2026 is Summer – Start of TAISHO (Greater heat)-34th KOU “KIRI (paulownia) trees produce buds.”
The rainy season ended on the 21st, and according to the calendar, we have entered the TAISHO period.
The paulownia tree I always pass on my walk doesn’t seem to be bearing any buds. Usually, at this time of year, it would be covered in brown, bell-like clusters of buds. Although it looks a bit aged, the way it stands majestically in the middle of the field reveals that it is still full of vitality.
It is surprising where paulownia trees sometimes grow – places like the corner of a house, a gap in a hedge, or the edge of an asphalt parking lot. You find yourself wondering why they chose such cramped spots.
By the way, crows have a habit of hiding things they have picked up, such as walnuts. However, it is said that they often quickly forget where they hid them. This got me wondering: suppose there was a rather slopy crow. What would happen if it mistook a paulownia fruit for a walnut, carried it off, hid it in an inconspicuous spot, and then completely forgot about it?
I happened to see two crows. Behind them, the familiar, large paulownia tree, with a walnut tree right next to it.
2026/07/25
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2026/07/28-08/01 Earth is damp, air is humid
July 28th – August 1st, 2025 is Summer – Middle of TAISHO (greater heat)-35th KOU “Earth is damp, air is humid.”
Including the period just before the end of the rainy season on July 21st, it didn’t rain at all for almost a week. I watered the vegetables in my home garden many times, hoping for at least a little rain.
And finally, yesterday and the day before, the long-awaited rain came. However, it was a torrential downpour like a tropical squall, and the next day it rained lightly all day, as if the rainy season had returned. Perhaps this is typical weather for this time of year, as we transition into full-fledged summer.
This morning, the familiar mountain range looked hazy.
The explanation on the website said, “The main cause is Mie scattering, which occurs when extremely fine water droplets (moisture-absorbing particles attached to aerosols) or fine atmospheric particles (PM, sulfates, organic particles, etc.) absorb moisture and become larger in humid air.”
Hmm… This is just “Earth is damp, air is humid” as the 35th KOU is telling.
A swarm of red dragonflies was flitting around me. Many were still yellowish. Through coming true summer and approaching to autumn, they will change into the “familiar” red dragonflies.
2027/07/28 06:44 a.m.
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August
2026/08/02-08/06 Great rain sometimes fall
August 2nd – August 6th, 2026 is NATSU (Summer) – TAISHO (Greater heat)-36th KOU “Great rains sometimes fall.”
August is here. we are in the final phase of TAISHO, summer is now into full swing, though.
When one thinks of summer rain, the YUDACHI —a sudden, heavy afternoon downpour— comes to mind. Although the rain falls violently, it stops quickly, leaving the air feeling cool and truly pleasant.
It’s much like a large-scale version of UCHIMIZU (the traditional custom of sprinkling water on the ground to cool it down).
2026/08/02
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2026/08/07-08/12 Cool breezes begin to blow
August 7th – August 12th, 2025 is Autumn – Start of RISSHU (Beginning of autumn)-37th KOU “Cool breezes begin to blow.”
According to the traditional lunar calendar, autumn has already begun—a season when cool breezes start to blow.
In the quiet moments before dawn, I sometimes feel a faint, cool breeze drifting in through the open window of my bedroom. I occasionally encounter such a breeze during my early morning walks as well.
The cosmos flowers were already in bloom. Did you know that its Japanese name is AKIZAKURA—literally “autumn cherry blossoms”? The flowers swayed gently in the occasional cool breeze.
However, daytime temperatures are hovering around 35°C. The cool breeze only blows from the air conditioner.
2026/08/06 06:12 a.m.
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2026/08/13-08/17 HIGURASHI (evening cicadas) sing
August 13th – August 17th, 2026 is Autumn – Middle of RISSHU (Beginning of autumn)-38th KOU “Evening cicadas sing.”
“HIGURASHI is a seasonal word for autumn, and the SHICHIJYUNI-KOU lunisolar calendar is currently in the autumn phase.
Yesterday was the 13th—the day to light the welcoming fires for OBON. In SHINSHU, it is observed a month later than the standard calendar. During Obon, we have a custom of visiting ancestors’ graves to offer prayers while reflecting on their memory.
On our way to visit the family grave, I spotted an ABURAZEMI (large brown cicada) on an old cedar tree at the shrine—it wasn’t making a sound and motionless. And there was no singing of HIGURASHI (evening cicada) either. For some reason, cicadas simply weren’t singing. So, it was quite difficult to spot them.
There was a praying mantis on a cucumber leaf. From the grass came a chirping sound “lee, lee, lee….”—was it a cricket?
For me, it feels like OBON falls somewhere between summer and autumn.
2026/08/13
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2026/08/18-08/22 Thick fog descends
August 18th – August 22nd, 2026 is Autumn – End of RISSHU (Start of autumn)-39th KOU “Thick fog descends”
According to the 24 SEKKI (Major divisions), it’s RISSHU (Start of autumn) and the SHICHIJYUNI-KOU tells that thick fog descends.
For fog to form, high humidity, a drop in temperature to near the dew point, and light winds are required.
Lately, the early mornings have been dry (anyway absolutely no rain), with temperatures around 25°C and breeze was pleasant and moderate. In short, these days weather conditions have been not right for fog to develop.
Countless red dragonflies were darting about over the water’s surface, glittering in the morning sun. AKIAKANE (autumn darters) emerge in early summer and initially migrate to high mountains, then, as the autumn winds begin to blow, they descend to the lowlands.
I had thought the season of “Thick fog descends” was still a little way off, but the way these AKIAKANE travel to the lowlands has signaled that autumn is drawing near.
2026/08/18 06:15 a.m.
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2026/08/23-08/27 WATA (cotton) bursts forth
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
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2026/08/28-09/01 Heat starts to die down
August 28th – September 1st, 2026 is Autumn – Middle of SHOSHO (Manageable heat)-47th KOU “Heat starts to die down.”
The 47th KOU notices that summer season ended and enter Autumn, and the weather is manageable and comfortable.
The daytime high was quite low at 21.4°C, yet it felt remarkably pleasant. In fact, I felt as though the heat that had been trapped in my body was finally dissipating. The plants and the earth might well have felt the same way—after all, temperatures had remained above 30°C for nearly two weeks.
This rain is caused by a stationary front known as the autumn rain front. This front forms during the seasonal transition from summer to autumn, signaling the end of summer as the 47th KOU notices.
And the autumn rain front tends to remain stationary for an extended period. The sluice gate on the agricultural irrigation canals has remained closed this morning.
2026/08/28
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September
2026/09/02-09/06 KOME (rice) ripens
September 2nd – September 6th, 2026 is Autumn – End of SHOSHO (Manageable heat)-42nd KOU “KOME (rice) ripens.”
It’s a long-awaited KOME season for the Japanese.
As you pass by the rice paddies, the scent of ripening KOME grains drifts on the air—a distinctive aroma unique to the grain itself carrying a sensation that leaves a slightly lingering aftertaste clinging to the back of the throat. It’s exactly a rich seasonal fragrance.
It seems a little too early for the grains to have turned fully golden, yet the sparrows appear unable to wait. While I was watching a few of them flit about the stalks, a flock of dozens suddenly took flight in unison. Paying no heed to the bird-deterrent tape glittering in the light, they had been boldly deep into the heart of the paddy.
Rice harvesting around here is still a little way off—probably another two weeks or so. It looks like the battle of wits with the sparrows will continue for a while yet.
2026/09/03