CAMJ　24 season

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3.Japan has 24 seasons

  We have twenty four mini seasons called "Twenty Four Sekki". The system was 
invented in ancient China about 2600 years ago and introduced to Japan in the 
8th century. It was especially useful for agriculture, because it's based on the 
movement of the sun, and indicates the trends in weather for various time of the year. 
 
Although we have used the solar calendar since 1872 (Meiji Era), the 24 Sekki
is still used in our daily lives and activities. You can see it on many  
Japanese style calendars.  We would like you to take a look at it if you have a 
chance to visit Japan or to get one.
These mini seasons are woven deeply into the Japanese way of life and activities. 
You can see the brief description of each mini season below. 



Photo

[Starting date]
"NAME" of mini season
       the sun's location and brief description.




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

       "SETSUBUN" festival is held just before this day at shrine.




 [Feb.19]
"USUI"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 330 degree to 
       345 degree on ecliptic, 
       The rain falls in place of snow according to the calendar. 
       Snow falls at Kanto and Tokai area. 
       "Haru-Ichiban"(SE Wind) blows.
       "MOMO-NO-SEKKU"(or "Hina-matsuri") festival 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 ecliptic, 
       Insects open their exit and come out of hibernation. 
       They surface from the ground. Peach blossoms start to 
       bloom. 
  
      "OMIZUTORI" festival is held at Nara Todaiji Temple, 
      continues over 1250 years.
      




 [Mar.21] 
"SHUMBUN"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 0 degree to 
       15 degree on ecliptic, 
       The sun crosses the equator from the south 
     　hemisphere to the north hemisphere. 
       The period of "Shumbun" starts at the "vernal equinox day." 
       This day is the beginning of a year according to the calendar,
       and 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 ecliptic, 
       It feels clear and brilliant.
       swallows migrate from southern islands, geese return to 
       the northern territories according to the calendar.  




 [Apr.20]
"KOKUU"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 30 degree to 
       45 degree on 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 ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the beginning of summer 
       according to the calendar. 

       We see beautiful green and fresh leaves all-around 
       us. We usually feel the beginning of the summer season.




 [May.20]
"SHOUMAN"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 60 degree to 
       75 degree on 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 ecliptic, 
       The farmers get ready 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 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.
       Irises start to bloom according to the calendar.
       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 ecliptic, 
       It is getting hotter. 
       The rainy season has reached an end, warm winds blow, 
       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 ecliptic, 
       Paulownia flowers start to produce seeds, 
       Sometimes it rains heavily according to the calendar. 




 [Aug.05]
"RISSHUU"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 135 degree to 
       150 degree on ecliptic, 
       The first day of this period is the beginning of autumn 
       according to the calendar.
       Cool breezes start to blow, clear-toned casidas start 
       to sing according to the calendar.




 [Aug.21]
"SHOSHO"       is the period of time when the sun moves from 150 degree to 
       165 degree on ecliptic, 
       The air is cool in the morning and evening.
       Cotton flowers open and rices become mature 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 ecliptic, 
       The sun crosses the equator from the north hemisphere 
       to the south hemisphere on the first day of this period. 
      
       The period of "Shuubun" starts at the "autumnal equinox day." 
       This day 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 ecliptic, 
       Crythanthemums start to bloom. 
      
       October 10th is a national holiday declared as 
       "Gymnastic Day". 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 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 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 ecliptic, 
       Snow falls according to the calendar.

       We celebrate a national holiday: "Labor's day".




[Dec.05]
"TAISETSU"
       is the period of time when the sun moves from 255 degree to 
       270 degree at 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 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 ecliptic, 
       North wind called "Kogarashi" blows over Japan.  

       "Dezomeshiki" (fire fighters exihibition) is held. 




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


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.

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



Contact us

Photo [Starting date]	"NAME" of mini season the sun's location and brief description.
[Feb.04]	"RISSHUN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 315 degree to 330 degree on ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of spring according to the calendar. "SETSUBUN" festival is held just before this day at shrine.
[Feb.19]	"USUI" is the period of time when the sun moves from 330 degree to 345 degree on ecliptic, The rain falls in place of snow according to the calendar. Snow falls at Kanto and Tokai area. "Haru-Ichiban"(SE Wind) blows. "MOMO-NO-SEKKU"(or "Hina-matsuri") festival 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 ecliptic, Insects open their exit and come out of hibernation. They surface from the ground. Peach blossoms start to bloom. "OMIZUTORI" festival is held at Nara Todaiji Temple, continues over 1250 years.
[Mar.21]	"SHUMBUN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 0 degree to 15 degree on ecliptic, The sun crosses the equator from the south 　hemisphere to the north hemisphere. The period of "Shumbun" starts at the "vernal equinox day." This day is the beginning of a year according to the calendar, and 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 ecliptic, It feels clear and brilliant. swallows migrate from southern islands, geese return to the northern territories according to the calendar.
[Apr.20]	"KOKUU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 30 degree to 45 degree on 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 ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of summer according to the calendar. We see beautiful green and fresh leaves all-around us. We usually feel the beginning of the summer season.
[May.20]	"SHOUMAN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 60 degree to 75 degree on 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 ecliptic, The farmers get ready 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 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. Irises start to bloom according to the calendar. 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 ecliptic, It is getting hotter. The rainy season has reached an end, warm winds blow, 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 ecliptic, Paulownia flowers start to produce seeds, Sometimes it rains heavily according to the calendar.
[Aug.05]	"RISSHUU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 135 degree to 150 degree on ecliptic, The first day of this period is the beginning of autumn according to the calendar. Cool breezes start to blow, clear-toned casidas start to sing according to the calendar.
[Aug.21]	"SHOSHO" is the period of time when the sun moves from 150 degree to 165 degree on ecliptic, The air is cool in the morning and evening. Cotton flowers open and rices become mature 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 ecliptic, The sun crosses the equator from the north hemisphere to the south hemisphere on the first day of this period. The period of "Shuubun" starts at the "autumnal equinox day." This day 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 ecliptic, Crythanthemums start to bloom. October 10th is a national holiday declared as "Gymnastic Day". 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 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 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 ecliptic, Snow falls according to the calendar. We celebrate a national holiday: "Labor's day".
[Dec.05]	"TAISETSU" is the period of time when the sun moves from 255 degree to 270 degree at 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 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 ecliptic, North wind called "Kogarashi" blows over Japan. "Dezomeshiki" (fire fighters exihibition) is held.
[Jan.21]	"DAIKAN" is the period of time when the sun moves from 300 degree to 315 degree on ecliptic, We experience the most severe cold days in a year. "Mamemaki" festivals at temples are held to drive away evil gods.