24 sekki four seasons

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24 Sekki

Climate and/or weather anywhere on the earth is determined by the
combination of physical characteristics such as rain/snow, winds and
temperature. In these circumstances trees, plants, insects, birds,
fish and all creatures on mother earth are very sensitive to their
environment. They can tell us the changes from season to season as if
they were "living weather instruments."
The ancient Chinese people learned about the climate through these plants
and creatures, so they invented a calendar to decide the best time for
farming. It was about BC 7th century. That is the "24 Sekki."
("24 Sekki is a kind of crop calendar used for agricultural business today.)

We must talk about the structure of "24 Sekki."
We are familiar to today's calendar in which one year is divided into
twelve months and four seasons. But the ancient people divided one solar
year into twenty four periods. And they decided that the origin of a year
was winter solstice. They named 4 seasons as spring, summer, autumn and
winter. Also they named each starting day as "Risshun", "Rikka", "Risshuu"
and "Rittou. Thus "24 Sekki" was born. Later in 17th century, they changed
the origin of a year from "Touji" to "Shumbun".

The calendar "24 SEKKI" was created based on the movement of the sun,
so it indicated the trends in climete for various time of the year.
Japan's climate is a little bit different from the old China's, however,
generally speaking it is true and useful for our daily life. It tells us
the time of firming and various events held in a year as well. You will
find the festivals and seasonal foods as well as the climate and legendary
stories in "24 Sekki" in the table below.

Now, we show you the descriptions of the calendar in a structure like this:
1. the literal meaning of Kanji characters
2. calendar information
3. legendary brief stories
4. Japanese climate
5. agricultural topics
6. seasonal foods
7. seasonal events.

"RISSHUN"
(315 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Start, Spring".
2. Calendar: It is around Feb.04.
RISSHUN is the first day of spring according to the calendar.
3. Legendary:
Warm east winds blow and the ice melts.
The nightingales start to sing at the foot of mountains.
Fish jump out through the cracks in the ice.
4. Climate: It feels still cold, but sometimes warm winds blow
from the east.
5. Agriculture: Farmers are praying for good days for rice planting.
6. Food: "Rice and Misoshiru(soup)" are our daily dishes.
7. Event: "SETSUBUN" festivals are held the day before at shrines.

"USUI"
(330 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Rain, water".
2. Calendar: It is around Feb.19.
USUI is the first day of rain falls in place of snow.
3. Legendary:
It rains and the earth absorbs rain.
A mist starts to drift over the fields and mountains.
Grass and trees start to sprout.
4. Climate: Snow fall at Kanto and Tokai area.
"Haru-Ichiban"(SE Wind) blows.
Snow and ice start to melt. It is getting warmer.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: "Shiro-zake" (white and sweet sake) is served at Hinamatsuri
festival.
7. Event: "MOMO-NO-SEKKU"(or "Hina-matsuri" festival) Small girls'
festival for their happiness.
"Ume-Matsuri" is held at Mito city.

"KEICHITSU"
(345 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Open, Calm".
2. Calendar: It is around Mar.06.
KEICHITSU is the final day of hibernation.
3. Legendary:
Insects come out of hibernation, and surface from underground.
Peach blossoms start to bloom.
Black caterpillar emerge from cocoons as butterflies.
4. Climate: Spring is just around the corner.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food:
7. Event: "OMIZUTORI" held at Nara Todaiji Temple has continued
for over 1250 years.

"SHUMBUN"
(000 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Spring, Divide".
2. Calendar: It is around Mar.21.
SHUMBUN is "Vernal equinox day" and declared a national holiday.
The sun passes the equinox point on it's ecliptic cycle.
3. Legendary:
Sparrows are busy making their nests.
Cherry blossoms start to bloom.
We hear the first sound of thunder faraway.
4. Climate: Winter is gone, spring is around us.
Day time become longer than night time.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food:
7. Event: We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors.
Graduation ceremonies are held at achools.

"SEIMEI"
(015 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Clear, Brilliant".
2. Calendar: It is around Apr.05.
SEIMEI is the first day of clear and transperant days.
3. Legendary:
Swallows migrate from southern islands,
geese return to the northern territories
and we see the first rainbows after rain.
4. Climate: It gives the air a crisp feeling.
It is still cold, but every thing is inspired by the
beginning of a new life. Grass and trees start to
sprout, birds fly high in the sky. We see cherry
blossoms in full bloom.
5. Agriculture: Farmers get to their rice fields.
6. Food:
7. Event: "HANA-MATSURI" festivals are held at temples to pray Budda.
"OHAMANI" parties are held under the cherry blossoms throught
Japan. We have much more events at this time of a year.
Ceremonies of joining companies, schools etc. are held.
"Taue-Matsuri"(Rice seeds planting festival) is held at Chichibu shrine.
"Seimei" festival are held in Okinawa and China.

"KOKUU"
(015 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Crops, Rain".
2. Calendar: It is around Apr.21.
KOKUU is the first day of good rainfall for plants.
3. Legendary:
Reeds start to sprout,
young rice begin to grow
and peonys start to bloom.
4. Climate: Gentle rain falls and gives life to all plants.
Given water, all plants grow.
5. Agriculture: Farmers are ready to plant rice seeds.
6. Food:
7. Event: April 29 was once the Emperor's birth day.

"RIKKA"
(045 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Start, Summer".
2. Calendar: It is around May 05.
RIKKA is the first day of summer according to the calendar.
3. Legendary:
Frogs start to croak,
earthworms surface,
and bamboo shoots grow.
4. Climate:
We see beautiful green and fresh leaves all-around us.
We usually feel the beginning of the summer season.
5. Agriculture: Farmers are busy harvesting tea leaves.
6. Food: Newly produced teas are delicious. "Chimaki"(A kind
of rice cake.) is eaten to pray boy's happiness.
7. Event: "Children's day" is declared a national holiday
for praying their happiness.
Carp streamers are hoisted at country side houses.
"Aoi-Matsuri" is held at Kyoto.

"SHOUMAN"
(060 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Small, Full".
2. Calendar: It is around May 21.
SHOUMAN is the first day of plants' growing.
3. Legendary:
Silkworms are fed mulberry leaves which they aggressively
feed on.
Wheat become ripe.
Safflowers start to bloom
4. Climate: Western part of Japan experience the early stage of
"BAIU"(rainy season). All things, grass and trees, begin to
grow and cover the ground.
5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to harvest ripe wheat.
6. Food:
7. Event: Jene 1st, we change clothes for the coming summer,
which is called "Koromogae".

"BOUSHU"
(075 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Seeds of plants".
2. Calendar: It is around Jun.05.
BOUSHU is the first day of sewing rice seeds.
3. Legendary:
Praying-mantis are born,
from grass firefly larva mature into adult fireflies
and plums(apricots) turn yelloe and become ripe.
4. Climate: Western part of Japan enters into "BAIU" season.
5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to sew rice seeds.
6. Food:
7. Event:

"GESHI"
(090 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Summer, Reach".
2. Calendar: It is around Jun.21.
GESHI is the summer solstice.
The sun reaches it's northern most position on it's ecliptic.
3. Legendary:
Grass die.
Irises start to bloom.
"Torieshaku" starts to grow.
4. Climate: We experience the longest day of the year.
A font called "Baiu-Zensen" lingers on Japan islands.
"Shoubu","Ajisai" flowers are in full bloom.
5. Agriculture: Farmers are at their busiest planting rice.
6. Food:
7. Event: Mt. Fuji is opened for climbing.

"SHOUSHO"
(105 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Small, Hot".
2. Calendar: It is around Jul.05.
SHOHSHO is the first day of hot days.
3. Legendary:
Warm winds blow,
lotus flowers start to bloom and
young eagles learn to fly.
4. Climate: The rainy season is approaching it's end.
Lotus flower starts to bloom. Casidas start to chorus.
5. Agriculture: Farmers watch their rice fields.
6. Food:
7. Event: "Gion-Maturi" is held in Kyoto city.
"Tanabata-matsuri" is held in Sendai city.
"Obon" is the period of returning to our native tountry or town to meet
our parents and friends and pray to our ancestors.

"TAISHO"
(120 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Big, Hot".
2. Calendar: It is around Jul.21.
TAISHO is the first day of hottest period of a year.
3. Legendary:
Paulownia flowers start to produce seeds.
Ground becomes wet and it's getting humid and hot.
Sometimes it rains heavily.
4. Climate: The rainy season is over.
We are into the hottest time of the year.
Cumulonibbus can be seen.
5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to
6. Food: "Unadon"(Rice topped by broiled eels) are popular food
in this season.
7. Event: Many school enter into summer vacation.

"RISSHUU"
(135 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Start, Autumn".
2. Calendar: It is around Aug.05.
RISSHU is the first day of autumn according to the calendar.
3. Legendary:
Cool breezes start to blow,
clear-toned casidas start to sing
and dense fog starts to appear.
4. Climate:
We experience the hottest days in a year.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: "Hiyayakko"(Cooled Tofu) and "Hiya-Somen"(Coold noodle) are
popular in this season.
7. Event:

"SHOSHO"
(150 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Stop, Hot".
2. Calendar: It is around Aug.21.
SHOSHO is the period when it feels a little bit cool.
3. Legendary:
Cotton flowers open,
the hottest period of the year is over
and rices become mature.
4. Climate: The temperatures stop rising.
The air is cool in the morning and evening.
5. Agriculture: Rices are growing under the sun and sufficient water.
6. Food: Pears and grapes are delicious.
7. Event: Fire work displays are held elsewhere in Japan.
"Daimonnji-Okuribi" is very famous festival in Kyoto city.
"Hassaku-matsuri" is held in Kyoto.

"HAKURO"
(165 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "White, Dew".
2. Calendar: It is around Sep.05.
HAKURO is the first day of forming dew drops.
3. Legendary:
Dew drops glisten clear on the grass,
wagtails start to sing
and swallows migrate south.
4. Climate: The temperature becomes cooler.
Typhoons come and land.
A font called "Shurin-Zensen" lingers on Japan islands.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food:
7. Event: "Otsukimi" party is held at each house to enjoy viewing
the moon with some autumn foods like "Tsukimi-dango"(a kind of
rice cake).

"SHUUBUN"
(180 deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Autumn, divide".
2. Calendar: It is around Sep.21.
SHUUBUN is the autumnal equinox day and declared a national
holiday, and also is the middle of a year.
3. Legendary:
The thunder stops roaring,
insects close the entrance to their nests
and rice fields are drained water.
4. Climate: Dew drops can be seen on the plants and grass.
5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to drain water from their
rice fields.
6. Food: Chestnuts and perssimons become ripe.
7. Event: We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors.

"KANRO"
(195 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Cold, dew".
2. Calendar: It is around Oct.05.
KANRO is the period when dew drops freeze due to cold
temperature.
3. Legendary:
Geese begin to fly back to their birthland,
crythanthemums bloom
and clickets chairp at the foot of the entrance door.
4. Climate: It is getting cold in the autumn.
5. Agriculture: Farmers are busy harvesting crops.
6. Food:
7. Event: October 10th is a national holiday declared as
"Gymnastic Day".
Athletic meetings are held throughtout Japan.

"SOUKOU"
(210 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Fall, frost".
2. Calendar: It is around Oct.21.
SOUKOU is the the first day of frost's forming.
3. Legendary:
Frost starts to fall,
it rains calmly
and maple leaves and ivies("TUTA") turn their color to yellow.
4. Climate: The autumn is over.
We have frosts on the ground and grass instead of dew drops.
5. Agriculture: farmers are busy for orange production.
6. Food: "Yaki-Nasu"(Baked egg plant) is very delicious.
7. Event: "Niinamesai" is held at Ise shrine.

"RITTOU"
(225 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Start, Winter".
2. Calendar: It is around Nov.05.
RITTO is the first day of winter according to the calendar.
3. Legendary:
Camellia("SAZANNKA") starts to bloom,
grounds starts to freeze
and daffodil("SUISEN", narcissus) starts to bloom.
4. Climate: We have the first snow fall in a year.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: "Imoni-Kai" This is a party to enjoy the autumn atmosphere
in the field or the river side. (Autumn vegetables and meat/port
are cooked together in a big pan and served.)
7. Event: Cultural exhibitions and meetings are held at various schools.

"SHOUSETSU"
(240 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Small, Snow".
2. Calendar: It is around Nov.21.
SHOSETSU is the first day of snow fall.
3. Legendary:
We do not see rainbow,
north winds blow off the tree leaves
and mandarin orange("TACHIBANA") leaves turn yellow in
their color.
4. Climate: We have a little snow fall. It is getting cold.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: We enjoy newly produced rice called "Shin-Mai".
7. Event: We celebrate a national holiday: "Labor's day".

"TAISETSU"
(255 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Big, snow".
2. Calendar: It is around Dec.05.
TAISETSU is the period of heavy snow fall.
3. Legendary:
Things are occluded and turns into winter,
bears hide in the hole for hybernation
and a lot of sermons come up in the river.
4. Climate: The very winter is approaching.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food:
7. Event:

"TOUJI"
(270 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Winter, Reach".
2. Calendar: It is around Dec.21.
TOHJI is the winter solstice.
We have the longest night time in a year.
3. Legendary:
"NATUGARESOU" starts to sprout,
deers lose their horn
and wheat start to sprout under the snow.
4. Climate: It is very cold.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: We eat pumpkin at Toji and "Zoni" at the first day of a year.
7. Event: We hit "Joya-no-kane" at the last day of a year and visit
shrine to pray for famly's happinessce at the first day of a year.

"SHOUKAN"
(285 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Small, Cold".
2. Calendar: It is around Jan.05.
SHOKAN is the starting day of getting colder.
3. Legendary:
Parsly("SERI") grows well,
frozen spring water start to move
and male pheasants("KIJI") start to cry.
4. Climate: North wind called "Kogarashi" blows over Japan.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: We eat "Shichigusa-Gayu".(Souped rice with seven kinds of
vegetables) "Oden" is popular in this season.
7. Event: "Dezomeshiki" is held.
(This is a fire fighters exihibition day.)

"DAIKAN"
(300 Deg.)

1. Kanji characters read "Big, Cold".
2. Calendar: It is around Jan.21.
DAIKAN is the period of the most severe cold days.
3. Legendary:
Butterburs("FUKINOTOU") starts to sprout,
ice becomes thick at the valley
and hens start to lay eggs.
4. Climate: We experience the most severe cold days in a year.
5. Agriculture:
6. Food: "Kori-Dofu","Sake" are produced in this freezing season.
7. Event: "Mamemaki" festivals at temples are held to drive away
evil gods.
Martial arts practice are popular in this coldest period.

Zodiac from Wikipedia
24 SEKKI vs Zodiac
24 SEKKI Kanji Characters and their pronunciations
24 SEKKI and 72 KOU (Written in Japanese.)
Crop Calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Crop calendar, Sudan
Crop calendar
Crop calendar
Sakura blossom front: Japan Environmental office, Internet natural research (Written in Japanese)
Maple leaf front: Japan Environmental office, Internet natural research (Written in Japanese)

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"RISSHUN" (315 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Start, Spring". 2. Calendar: It is around Feb.04. RISSHUN is the first day of spring according to the calendar. 3. Legendary: Warm east winds blow and the ice melts. The nightingales start to sing at the foot of mountains. Fish jump out through the cracks in the ice. 4. Climate: It feels still cold, but sometimes warm winds blow from the east. 5. Agriculture: Farmers are praying for good days for rice planting. 6. Food: "Rice and Misoshiru(soup)" are our daily dishes. 7. Event: "SETSUBUN" festivals are held the day before at shrines.
"USUI" (330 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Rain, water". 2. Calendar: It is around Feb.19. USUI is the first day of rain falls in place of snow. 3. Legendary: It rains and the earth absorbs rain. A mist starts to drift over the fields and mountains. Grass and trees start to sprout. 4. Climate: Snow fall at Kanto and Tokai area. "Haru-Ichiban"(SE Wind) blows. Snow and ice start to melt. It is getting warmer. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: "Shiro-zake" (white and sweet sake) is served at Hinamatsuri festival. 7. Event: "MOMO-NO-SEKKU"(or "Hina-matsuri" festival) Small girls' festival for their happiness. "Ume-Matsuri" is held at Mito city.
"KEICHITSU" (345 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Open, Calm". 2. Calendar: It is around Mar.06. KEICHITSU is the final day of hibernation. 3. Legendary: Insects come out of hibernation, and surface from underground. Peach blossoms start to bloom. Black caterpillar emerge from cocoons as butterflies. 4. Climate: Spring is just around the corner. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: 7. Event: "OMIZUTORI" held at Nara Todaiji Temple has continued for over 1250 years.
"SHUMBUN" (000 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Spring, Divide". 2. Calendar: It is around Mar.21. SHUMBUN is "Vernal equinox day" and declared a national holiday. The sun passes the equinox point on it's ecliptic cycle. 3. Legendary: Sparrows are busy making their nests. Cherry blossoms start to bloom. We hear the first sound of thunder faraway. 4. Climate: Winter is gone, spring is around us. Day time become longer than night time. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: 7. Event: We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors. Graduation ceremonies are held at achools.
"SEIMEI" (015 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Clear, Brilliant". 2. Calendar: It is around Apr.05. SEIMEI is the first day of clear and transperant days. 3. Legendary: Swallows migrate from southern islands, geese return to the northern territories and we see the first rainbows after rain. 4. Climate: It gives the air a crisp feeling. It is still cold, but every thing is inspired by the beginning of a new life. Grass and trees start to sprout, birds fly high in the sky. We see cherry blossoms in full bloom. 5. Agriculture: Farmers get to their rice fields. 6. Food: 7. Event: "HANA-MATSURI" festivals are held at temples to pray Budda. "OHAMANI" parties are held under the cherry blossoms throught Japan. We have much more events at this time of a year. Ceremonies of joining companies, schools etc. are held. "Taue-Matsuri"(Rice seeds planting festival) is held at Chichibu shrine. "Seimei" festival are held in Okinawa and China.
"KOKUU" (015 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Crops, Rain". 2. Calendar: It is around Apr.21. KOKUU is the first day of good rainfall for plants. 3. Legendary: Reeds start to sprout, young rice begin to grow and peonys start to bloom. 4. Climate: Gentle rain falls and gives life to all plants. Given water, all plants grow. 5. Agriculture: Farmers are ready to plant rice seeds. 6. Food: 7. Event: April 29 was once the Emperor's birth day.
"RIKKA" (045 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Start, Summer". 2. Calendar: It is around May 05. RIKKA is the first day of summer according to the calendar. 3. Legendary: Frogs start to croak, earthworms surface, and bamboo shoots grow. 4. Climate: We see beautiful green and fresh leaves all-around us. We usually feel the beginning of the summer season. 5. Agriculture: Farmers are busy harvesting tea leaves. 6. Food: Newly produced teas are delicious. "Chimaki"(A kind of rice cake.) is eaten to pray boy's happiness. 7. Event: "Children's day" is declared a national holiday for praying their happiness. Carp streamers are hoisted at country side houses. "Aoi-Matsuri" is held at Kyoto.
"SHOUMAN" (060 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Small, Full". 2. Calendar: It is around May 21. SHOUMAN is the first day of plants' growing. 3. Legendary: Silkworms are fed mulberry leaves which they aggressively feed on. Wheat become ripe. Safflowers start to bloom 4. Climate: Western part of Japan experience the early stage of "BAIU"(rainy season). All things, grass and trees, begin to grow and cover the ground. 5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to harvest ripe wheat. 6. Food: 7. Event: Jene 1st, we change clothes for the coming summer, which is called "Koromogae".
"BOUSHU" (075 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Seeds of plants". 2. Calendar: It is around Jun.05. BOUSHU is the first day of sewing rice seeds. 3. Legendary: Praying-mantis are born, from grass firefly larva mature into adult fireflies and plums(apricots) turn yelloe and become ripe. 4. Climate: Western part of Japan enters into "BAIU" season. 5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to sew rice seeds. 6. Food: 7. Event:
"GESHI" (090 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Summer, Reach". 2. Calendar: It is around Jun.21. GESHI is the summer solstice. The sun reaches it's northern most position on it's ecliptic. 3. Legendary: Grass die. Irises start to bloom. "Torieshaku" starts to grow. 4. Climate: We experience the longest day of the year. A font called "Baiu-Zensen" lingers on Japan islands. "Shoubu","Ajisai" flowers are in full bloom. 5. Agriculture: Farmers are at their busiest planting rice. 6. Food: 7. Event: Mt. Fuji is opened for climbing.
"SHOUSHO" (105 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Small, Hot". 2. Calendar: It is around Jul.05. SHOHSHO is the first day of hot days. 3. Legendary: Warm winds blow, lotus flowers start to bloom and young eagles learn to fly. 4. Climate: The rainy season is approaching it's end. Lotus flower starts to bloom. Casidas start to chorus. 5. Agriculture: Farmers watch their rice fields. 6. Food: 7. Event: "Gion-Maturi" is held in Kyoto city. "Tanabata-matsuri" is held in Sendai city. "Obon" is the period of returning to our native tountry or town to meet our parents and friends and pray to our ancestors.
"TAISHO" (120 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Big, Hot". 2. Calendar: It is around Jul.21. TAISHO is the first day of hottest period of a year. 3. Legendary: Paulownia flowers start to produce seeds. Ground becomes wet and it's getting humid and hot. Sometimes it rains heavily. 4. Climate: The rainy season is over. We are into the hottest time of the year. Cumulonibbus can be seen. 5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to 6. Food: "Unadon"(Rice topped by broiled eels) are popular food in this season. 7. Event: Many school enter into summer vacation.
"RISSHUU" (135 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Start, Autumn". 2. Calendar: It is around Aug.05. RISSHU is the first day of autumn according to the calendar. 3. Legendary: Cool breezes start to blow, clear-toned casidas start to sing and dense fog starts to appear. 4. Climate: We experience the hottest days in a year. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: "Hiyayakko"(Cooled Tofu) and "Hiya-Somen"(Coold noodle) are popular in this season. 7. Event:
"SHOSHO" (150 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Stop, Hot". 2. Calendar: It is around Aug.21. SHOSHO is the period when it feels a little bit cool. 3. Legendary: Cotton flowers open, the hottest period of the year is over and rices become mature. 4. Climate: The temperatures stop rising. The air is cool in the morning and evening. 5. Agriculture: Rices are growing under the sun and sufficient water. 6. Food: Pears and grapes are delicious. 7. Event: Fire work displays are held elsewhere in Japan. "Daimonnji-Okuribi" is very famous festival in Kyoto city. "Hassaku-matsuri" is held in Kyoto.
"HAKURO" (165 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "White, Dew". 2. Calendar: It is around Sep.05. HAKURO is the first day of forming dew drops. 3. Legendary: Dew drops glisten clear on the grass, wagtails start to sing and swallows migrate south. 4. Climate: The temperature becomes cooler. Typhoons come and land. A font called "Shurin-Zensen" lingers on Japan islands. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: 7. Event: "Otsukimi" party is held at each house to enjoy viewing the moon with some autumn foods like "Tsukimi-dango"(a kind of rice cake).
"SHUUBUN" (180 deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Autumn, divide". 2. Calendar: It is around Sep.21. SHUUBUN is the autumnal equinox day and declared a national holiday, and also is the middle of a year. 3. Legendary: The thunder stops roaring, insects close the entrance to their nests and rice fields are drained water. 4. Climate: Dew drops can be seen on the plants and grass. 5. Agriculture: Farmers get ready to drain water from their rice fields. 6. Food: Chestnuts and perssimons become ripe. 7. Event: We visit our family graves to pray to our ancestors.
"KANRO" (195 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Cold, dew". 2. Calendar: It is around Oct.05. KANRO is the period when dew drops freeze due to cold temperature. 3. Legendary: Geese begin to fly back to their birthland, crythanthemums bloom and clickets chairp at the foot of the entrance door. 4. Climate: It is getting cold in the autumn. 5. Agriculture: Farmers are busy harvesting crops. 6. Food: 7. Event: October 10th is a national holiday declared as "Gymnastic Day". Athletic meetings are held throughtout Japan.
"SOUKOU" (210 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Fall, frost". 2. Calendar: It is around Oct.21. SOUKOU is the the first day of frost's forming. 3. Legendary: Frost starts to fall, it rains calmly and maple leaves and ivies("TUTA") turn their color to yellow. 4. Climate: The autumn is over. We have frosts on the ground and grass instead of dew drops. 5. Agriculture: farmers are busy for orange production. 6. Food: "Yaki-Nasu"(Baked egg plant) is very delicious. 7. Event: "Niinamesai" is held at Ise shrine.
"RITTOU" (225 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Start, Winter". 2. Calendar: It is around Nov.05. RITTO is the first day of winter according to the calendar. 3. Legendary: Camellia("SAZANNKA") starts to bloom, grounds starts to freeze and daffodil("SUISEN", narcissus) starts to bloom. 4. Climate: We have the first snow fall in a year. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: "Imoni-Kai" This is a party to enjoy the autumn atmosphere in the field or the river side. (Autumn vegetables and meat/port are cooked together in a big pan and served.) 7. Event: Cultural exhibitions and meetings are held at various schools.
"SHOUSETSU" (240 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Small, Snow". 2. Calendar: It is around Nov.21. SHOSETSU is the first day of snow fall. 3. Legendary: We do not see rainbow, north winds blow off the tree leaves and mandarin orange("TACHIBANA") leaves turn yellow in their color. 4. Climate: We have a little snow fall. It is getting cold. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: We enjoy newly produced rice called "Shin-Mai". 7. Event: We celebrate a national holiday: "Labor's day".
"TAISETSU" (255 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Big, snow". 2. Calendar: It is around Dec.05. TAISETSU is the period of heavy snow fall. 3. Legendary: Things are occluded and turns into winter, bears hide in the hole for hybernation and a lot of sermons come up in the river. 4. Climate: The very winter is approaching. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: 7. Event:
"TOUJI" (270 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Winter, Reach". 2. Calendar: It is around Dec.21. TOHJI is the winter solstice. We have the longest night time in a year. 3. Legendary: "NATUGARESOU" starts to sprout, deers lose their horn and wheat start to sprout under the snow. 4. Climate: It is very cold. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: We eat pumpkin at Toji and "Zoni" at the first day of a year. 7. Event: We hit "Joya-no-kane" at the last day of a year and visit shrine to pray for famly's happinessce at the first day of a year.
"SHOUKAN" (285 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Small, Cold". 2. Calendar: It is around Jan.05. SHOKAN is the starting day of getting colder. 3. Legendary: Parsly("SERI") grows well, frozen spring water start to move and male pheasants("KIJI") start to cry. 4. Climate: North wind called "Kogarashi" blows over Japan. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: We eat "Shichigusa-Gayu".(Souped rice with seven kinds of vegetables) "Oden" is popular in this season. 7. Event: "Dezomeshiki" is held. (This is a fire fighters exihibition day.)
"DAIKAN" (300 Deg.)	1. Kanji characters read "Big, Cold". 2. Calendar: It is around Jan.21. DAIKAN is the period of the most severe cold days. 3. Legendary: Butterburs("FUKINOTOU") starts to sprout, ice becomes thick at the valley and hens start to lay eggs. 4. Climate: We experience the most severe cold days in a year. 5. Agriculture: 6. Food: "Kori-Dofu","Sake" are produced in this freezing season. 7. Event: "Mamemaki" festivals at temples are held to drive away evil gods. Martial arts practice are popular in this coldest period.