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3.Japan has 24 seasons

  We have twenty four mini seasons called "Nijyuushi Sekki" ("24 Sekki"). 
This is a kind of season-related calendar originally invented in ancient 
China for agricultural needs about 2600 years ago and imported to Japan 
in the 8th century. This calendar "24 Sekki" indicates the trends in climate 
for various times of the year as it is based on the movement of the sun. 
 
We have used the solar calendar since 1872 (Meiji Era), however the "24 Sekki"
is still used in our daily lives and activities as well. You can see and hear 
the words expressing each mini season at various occasions, for example on
TV, radio, in letter, haiku literature and so on. 

Below we show you a brief description of each mini season including it's name 
according to the sun's position, climate and popular seasonal events in Japan. 



Photo

[Starting date]
"NAME" of mini season
       the sun's position, climate and seasonal events.




 [Feb.04]
"RISSHUN"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 315 degree to 
       330 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the beginning of spring 
       according to the calendar. 

       "SETSUBUN" festivals are held at temples the day before.




 [Feb.19]
"USUI"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 330 degree to 
       345 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The rain falls in place of snow according to the calendar. 
       Snow falls at Kanto and Tokai area in this period of time.
       "Haru-Ichiban"(south-east wind) blows.

       "MOMO-NO-SEKKU"(or "Hina-matsuri") festival is held for
       Small girls' happiness. 
       "Ume-Matsuri" (plum flower viewing)festival is held at 
       Mito city.




 [Mar.06]
"KEICHITSU"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 345 degree to 
       0 degree on the ecliptic, 
       Insects open their exits and come out of hibernation. 
       They surface from the ground. 
       Peach blossoms begin to bloom. 
  
      "OMIZUTORI" festival is held at Nara Todaiji Temple, 
      has continued for over 1250 years.
      




 [Mar.21] 
"SHUMBUN"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 0 degree to 
       15 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The sun crosses the equator from the south hemisphere to 
       the north hemisphere. 
       The period of "Shumbun" starts at the "vernal equinox day" 
       which is the beginning of a year according to the calendar.
       The first day of "Shumbun" period is declared a national holiday.
      
       We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors.




 [Apr.05]
"SEIMEI"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 15 degree to 
       30 degree on the ecliptic, 
       It feels clear and brilliant.
       Swallows migrate from southern islands, geese return to 
       the northern territories according to the calendar.  

       "Hana-matsuri" is held at temple to pray to Budda.




 [Apr.20]
"KOKUU"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 30 degree to 
       45 degree on the ecliptic, 
       It rains for crops.
      
       A front is stationed alongside southern Japan. 




 [May.05] 
"RIKKA"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 45 degree to 
       60 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the beginning of summer 
       according to the calendar. 

       We celebrate "Children's day" especially for small boys.
       carp streamers are high over the roofs of country side houses.  




 [May.20]
"SHOUMAN"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 60 degree to 
       75 degree on the ecliptic, 
       All things, grass and trees, begin to grow 
       and cover the ground. 

       Farmers get ready to harvest ripe wheat. 




 [Jun.05]
"BOUSHU"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 75 degree to 
       90 degree on the ecliptic, 
       It is time to begin to plant rice seeds.
 
      "Baiu zensen" (a kind of stationary front) becomes active 
       over Japan island. 




 [Jun.21]
"GESHI"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 90 degree to 
       105 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the summer solstice.
       The sun reaches it's northern most position on it's ecliptic.
 
       We experience the longest day of the year.
       Farmers are at their busiest planting rice.




 [Jul.05]
"SHOUSHO"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 105 degree to 
       120 degree on the ecliptic, 
       It is getting hotter. 
       The rainy season has reached an end. 
       Lotus flowers start to bloom according to the calendar.




 [Jul.21]
"TAISHO"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 120 degree to 
       135 degree on the ecliptic, 
       It is the hottest period of a year according to the calendar.
       (The actual hottest dates come one month later.)




 [Aug.05]
"RISSHUU"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 135 degree to 
       150 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the beginning of autumn 
       according to the calendar.

       "Tanabata festival" is held at Sendai city to celebrate the
       two stars Vega and Alatir.
       Many people return to their home town during a nation wide 
       event "Obon" to meet their parents and ancestors as well.




 [Aug.21]
"SHOSHO"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 150 degree to 
       165 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The air temperature stops to rise according to the calendar. 





 [Sep.05]
"HAKURO"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 165 degree to 
       180 degree on ecliptic, 
       Wagtails start to sing and swallows migrate south
       according to the calendar.




 [Sep.21]
"SHUUBUN"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 180 degree to 
       195 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The sun crosses the equator from the north hemisphere 
       to the south on the first day of this period. 
      
       The period of "Shuubun" starts at the "autumnal equinox day" 
       which is declared a national holiday.
       We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors.

       Farmers get ready to drain water from their rice fields.
       "Akisame zensen" or "Shurin zensen" (a kind of stationary front) 
       becomes active over Japan island.




 [Oct.05]
"KANRO"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 195 degree to 
       210 degree on the ecliptic, 
       Crythanthemums start to bloom. 
      
       October 10th is a national holiday declared as "Gymnastic Day" 
       when athletic meetings are held throughtout Japan.




 [Oct.21]
"SOUKOU"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 210 degree to 
       225 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The ground and grass are frosted.
 
      "Niinamesai" is held at Ise shrine.



 [Nov.05]
"RITTOU"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 225 degree to 
       240 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the beginning of winter 
       according to the calendar.

       Cultural exhibitions and meetings are held at various schools.




 [Nov.21]
"SHOUSETSU"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 240 degree to 
       255 degree on the ecliptic, 
       Snow falls according to the calendar.

       We celebrate "Labor thanksgiving day" declared as a national 
       holiday.




[Dec.05]
"TAISETSU"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 255 degree to 
       270 degree at the ecliptic, 
       Snow falls heavily according to the calendar.





 [Dec.21]
"TOUJI"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 270 degree to 
       285 degree on the ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the winter solstice.

       We hit "Joya-no-kane" at the last day of a year and visit 
       shrine to pray for famly's happiness at the first day of 
       a year.




 [Jan.05]
"SHOUKAN"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 285 degree to 
       300 degree on the ecliptic, 
       North wind called "Kogarashi" blows over Japan.
       It is getting cold day by day.  

       "Dezomeshiki" exihibitions are held by fire fighters. 




 [Jan.21]
"DAIKAN"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 300 degree to 
       315 degree on the ecliptic, 
       We experience the most severe cold days in a year.
 
      "Mamemaki" festivals at temples are held to drive evil 
       gods away.


The indicated date for each mini season varies year by year.
The reason why is the "Vernal equinox day" depends on the sun's 
movement on the ecliptic.

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Links:
Zodiac(from Wikipedia)
The sun and the ecliptic
For more details

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Photo [Starting date]	"NAME" of mini season the sun's position, climate and seasonal events.
[Feb.04]	"RISSHUN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 315 degree to 330 degree on the ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of spring according to the calendar. "SETSUBUN" festivals are held at temples the day before.
[Feb.19]	"USUI" is the period of time when the sun moves from 330 degree to 345 degree on the ecliptic, The rain falls in place of snow according to the calendar. Snow falls at Kanto and Tokai area in this period of time. "Haru-Ichiban"(south-east wind) blows. "MOMO-NO-SEKKU"(or "Hina-matsuri") festival is held for Small girls' happiness. "Ume-Matsuri" (plum flower viewing)festival is held at Mito city.
[Mar.06]	"KEICHITSU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 345 degree to 0 degree on the ecliptic, Insects open their exits and come out of hibernation. They surface from the ground. Peach blossoms begin to bloom. "OMIZUTORI" festival is held at Nara Todaiji Temple, has continued for over 1250 years.
[Mar.21]	"SHUMBUN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 0 degree to 15 degree on the ecliptic, The sun crosses the equator from the south hemisphere to the north hemisphere. The period of "Shumbun" starts at the "vernal equinox day" which is the beginning of a year according to the calendar. The first day of "Shumbun" period is declared a national holiday. We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors.
[Apr.05]	"SEIMEI" is the period of time when the sun moves from 15 degree to 30 degree on the ecliptic, It feels clear and brilliant. Swallows migrate from southern islands, geese return to the northern territories according to the calendar. "Hana-matsuri" is held at temple to pray to Budda.
[Apr.20]	"KOKUU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 30 degree to 45 degree on the ecliptic, It rains for crops. A front is stationed alongside southern Japan.
[May.05]	"RIKKA" is the period of time when the sun moves from 45 degree to 60 degree on the ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of summer according to the calendar. We celebrate "Children's day" especially for small boys. carp streamers are high over the roofs of country side houses.
[May.20]	"SHOUMAN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 60 degree to 75 degree on the ecliptic, All things, grass and trees, begin to grow and cover the ground. Farmers get ready to harvest ripe wheat.
[Jun.05]	"BOUSHU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 75 degree to 90 degree on the ecliptic, It is time to begin to plant rice seeds. "Baiu zensen" (a kind of stationary front) becomes active over Japan island.
[Jun.21]	"GESHI" is the period of time when the sun moves from 90 degree to 105 degree on the ecliptic, The first day of this period is the summer solstice. The sun reaches it's northern most position on it's ecliptic. We experience the longest day of the year. Farmers are at their busiest planting rice.
[Jul.05]	"SHOUSHO" is the period of time when the sun moves from 105 degree to 120 degree on the ecliptic, It is getting hotter. The rainy season has reached an end. Lotus flowers start to bloom according to the calendar.
[Jul.21]	"TAISHO" is the period of time when the sun moves from 120 degree to 135 degree on the ecliptic, It is the hottest period of a year according to the calendar. (The actual hottest dates come one month later.)
[Aug.05]	"RISSHUU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 135 degree to 150 degree on the ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of autumn according to the calendar. "Tanabata festival" is held at Sendai city to celebrate the two stars Vega and Alatir. Many people return to their home town during a nation wide event "Obon" to meet their parents and ancestors as well.
[Aug.21]	"SHOSHO" is the period of time when the sun moves from 150 degree to 165 degree on the ecliptic, The air temperature stops to rise according to the calendar.
[Sep.05]	"HAKURO" is the period of time when the sun moves from 165 degree to 180 degree on ecliptic, Wagtails start to sing and swallows migrate south according to the calendar.
[Sep.21]	"SHUUBUN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 180 degree to 195 degree on the ecliptic, The sun crosses the equator from the north hemisphere to the south on the first day of this period. The period of "Shuubun" starts at the "autumnal equinox day" which is declared a national holiday. We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors. Farmers get ready to drain water from their rice fields. "Akisame zensen" or "Shurin zensen" (a kind of stationary front) becomes active over Japan island.
[Oct.05]	"KANRO" is the period of time when the sun moves from 195 degree to 210 degree on the ecliptic, Crythanthemums start to bloom. October 10th is a national holiday declared as "Gymnastic Day" when athletic meetings are held throughtout Japan.
[Oct.21]	"SOUKOU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 210 degree to 225 degree on the ecliptic, The ground and grass are frosted. "Niinamesai" is held at Ise shrine.
[Nov.05]	"RITTOU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 225 degree to 240 degree on the ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of winter according to the calendar. Cultural exhibitions and meetings are held at various schools.
[Nov.21]	"SHOUSETSU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 240 degree to 255 degree on the ecliptic, Snow falls according to the calendar. We celebrate "Labor thanksgiving day" declared as a national holiday.
[Dec.05]	"TAISETSU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 255 degree to 270 degree at the ecliptic, Snow falls heavily according to the calendar.
[Dec.21]	"TOUJI" is the period of time when the sun moves from 270 degree to 285 degree on the ecliptic, The first day of this period is the winter solstice. We hit "Joya-no-kane" at the last day of a year and visit shrine to pray for famly's happiness at the first day of a year.
[Jan.05]	"SHOUKAN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 285 degree to 300 degree on the ecliptic, North wind called "Kogarashi" blows over Japan. It is getting cold day by day. "Dezomeshiki" exihibitions are held by fire fighters.
[Jan.21]	"DAIKAN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 300 degree to 315 degree on the ecliptic, We experience the most severe cold days in a year. "Mamemaki" festivals at temples are held to drive evil gods away.