Japanese Microseasons

Within the Western context, the year is split into quarters – winter, spring, summer, and autumn. This macro-view on nature’s annual evolutions often glosses over the minute details each season offers. Alternatively, Japan’s 72 microseasons note each subtle shift in the surrounding environment. Every five days, the calendar moves to the next season, based on nature’s signals. Each season includes a poetic description of the flora and fauna’s constant evolutions throughout the year.

Originally, the 72 microseasons were developed around the environment of Northern China, but in 1658 the calendar was adapted to match the archipelago of Japan. These traditional seasons, called 候 kō, were used as the primary calendar until 1873 when Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar commonly used today.

The 72-season calendar is still referenced as an important part of Japanese culture and used by specific groups such as farmers and fishers.

While the seasons outlined in the calendar won’t align with your environment, the practice of close observation of nature’s changes can apply to anywhere in the world. Notice nature's changes as we move from winter to spring. Flowers bud, ferns uncoil, bird eggs hatch – the new season unfolds before us.