御銘 Gomei

In Japanese tea ceremony, gomei are poetic names that imbue utensils with meaning, often referencing seasons, literature, Zen concepts, or historical events, to contribute to a theme for a gathering and deepen guests' appreciation.

漢字 Pronunciation Meaning
January
書初 kakizome First Calligraphy of the Year
老松 oimatsu Old Pine Tree
初酒 hatsuzake First sake tasted in year
結び柳 musubi yanagi Knotted Willow
笑門 shōmon “Laughing gate” bringing fortune
好日 kōjitsu A Good Day
龍門 ryūmon Dragon Gate
羽子板 hagoita Battledore
初春風 hatsuharukaze First spring breeze
初旅 hatsutabi First trip of the year
初湯 hatsuyu First bath of the year
氷柱 tsurara Icicle
寒梅 kanbai Winter Plum
風花 kazahana Snow Flurry in a Clear Sky
鏡開 kagamibiraki Mirror Opening
恵比寿 ebisu Ebisu
初鶯 hatsuuguisu First warbler song
白梅 hakubai White plum blossoms
万両 manryō Ardisia with red berries
恵方巻 ehōmaki Sushi roll eaten facing lucky direction
三友 sanyū Three Friends
氷上 hyōjō On the Ice
初凧 hatsudako First kite flown in the year
初詣 hatsumōde First shrine/temple visit of the year
初空 hatsuzora First sky of the year
雪晴 yukibare Clear Weather After Snow
若菜摘 wakanatsumi Picking young greens
福海 fukukai Sea of Fortune
不老 furō Immortality / Eternal Youth
立春 risshun Beginning of Spring (Risshun)
佳日 kajitsu Fine Day; Auspicious Day
若松 wakamatsu Fresh young pine
金銀 kingin Gold and silver
福笑い fukuwarai “Lucky-laugh” face-making game
千年翠 sennen no midori Green for a Thousand Years
黒豆 kuromame Sweet simmered black soybeans
薄氷 usugōri Thin Ice
寒光 kankō Winter Light
初夢 hatsuyume First Dream of the Year
和光 wagō Gentle Light / Harmony
無事 buji Nothing / No Incident
akatsuki Dawn/Daybreak
萬歳 banzei Banzai (Ten Thousand Years)
有明 ariake Dawn Moon
独楽 koma Spinning Top
歳徳神 toshitokujin Deity of the year’s direction
亀齢 kirei Tortoise's Age
餅花 mochibana Rice-cake blossoms
年迎え toshimukae Welcoming the new year
玉椿 tamatsubaki Jewel Camellia
年酒 toshizake First sake of the year
初風 hatsukaze First breeze of the year
薄氷 usurai Thin ice
tae Exquisite / Wondrous
都鳥 miyakodori Black-headed Gull (lit. Capital Bird)
初霜 hatsushimo First frost of the year
蓬莱島 hōraijima Hōrai Island
七草 nanakusa Seven Grasses
静寂 seijaku Silence/Tranquility
若水 wakamizu First water drawn at dawn on New Year’s Day
霜柱 shimobashira Frost Columns
寒梅 kanbai Winter-blooming plum
羽子板 hagoita Battledore (wooden paddle)
注連飾 shimekazari Shimenawa New Year decoration
水仙 suisen Narcissus
正月 shōgatsu The New Year period
霜夜 shimoyo Frosty Night
春告鳥 harutsugedori Warbler heralding spring
寒椿 kantsubaki Winter camellia
初笑 hatsuwarai First laughter
破魔矢 hamaya Demon-quelling Arrow
年始 nenshi New Year visits/calls
初茜 hatsuakane First red dawn of year
福寿 fukuju Good Fortune and Longevity
宝船 takarabune “Treasure ship” of the Seven Gods
数の子 kazunoko Herring roe for New Year dishes
四方拝 shihōhai Emperor’s New Year prayer to four quarters
初景色 hatsukeshiki First scenic view of the year
初夢 hatsuyume First dream of the year
春待 harumachi Waiting for Spring
初霜 hatsushimo First Frost (Late autumn kigo, but can represent the deep cold of Jan)
冴ゆる saeru Piercingly Clear and Cold
独楽 koma Spinning top
吉兆 kitchō Good Omen
初凪 hatsunagi First Calm of the Year
瑞雲 zuiun Auspicious clouds
書初め kakizome First calligraphy of the year
福寿 fukuju Felicitous longevity
細雪 sasameyuki Light Snowfall
迎春 geishun Welcoming Spring
双六 sugoroku Board game of dice
初日の出 hatsuhinode First sunrise of the year
昇龍 shōryū Ascending Dragon
延年 ennen Longevity (lit. Extend Years)
豊年 hōnen Bountiful Year
霧氷 muhyō Rime Ice / Air Hoar
初手紙 hatsutegami First letter written in the year
長楽 chōraku Everlasting Joy
御正月 goshōgatsu Honourific term for New Year
羽根 hane Shuttlecock for hanetsuki
早春 sōshun Early spring
門松 kadomatsu New Year pine decorations
寒椿 kantsubaki Winter Camellia
千歳 chitose “A thousand years” – longevity wish
若菜 wakana Young greens of the season
銀世界 ginsekai Silver World
松竹梅 shōchikubai Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
瑞雲 zuiun Auspicious Cloud
羽衣 hagoromo Feather Robe
初富士 hatsufuji First view of Mt. Fuji
羽根突 hanetsuki New Year badminton-like game
初日 hatsuhi First sun
常盤 tokiwa Evergreen
大黒 daikoku Daikoku
長生 chōsei Long Life
初句 hatsuku First haiku composed in the year
真如 shinnyo Thusness / Suchness (Tathātā)
霜柱 shimobashira Frost columns
鏡餅 kagamimochi Stacked rice–cake offering
田作 tazukuri Dried baby sardines dish
元旦 gantan New Year’s Day at dawn
初松 hatsumatsu First pine viewed in year
若水 wakamizu First Water of the Year
初日記 hatsunikki First diary entry
寒牡丹 kanbotan Winter Peony
舞鶴 maitsuru Dancing crane
歌留多 karuta Japanese playing cards
tako Kite
大福茶 obukucha “Good-fortune tea” drunk at New Year
千歳 chitose A Thousand Years
寒紅梅 kankōbai Red winter plum
御慶 gyokei New Year felicitation
光琳 kōrin Kōrin
asahi Rising Sun
鶴亀 tsurukame Crane & turtle emblem of longevity
寒菊 kangiku Winter Chrysanthemum
sakae Prosperity / Glory
屠蘇器 tosoki Set of cups for otoso
迎春 geishun Welcoming spring
初霞 hatsugasumi First haze of the year
福引 fukubiki Fortune Lottery
福寿草 fukujusō Adonis flower blooming in snow
寒牡丹 kanbotan Winter peony
若潮 wakashio “Young tide” of early year
初雪 hatsuyuki First snow of the year
祥雲 shōun Auspicious Cloud
福笑 fukuwarai Lucky Laugh Game
鶴齢 kakurei Crane's Age
鴛鴦 oshidori Mandarin Duck
相生 aioi Growing Together
松風 matsukaze Wind in the Pines
子日 nenohi Day of the Rat
初市 hatsuichi First market of the year
御屠蘇 otoso Spiced New Year sake
舞初 maizome First dance performance
御年玉 otoshidama New Year gift money
万歳楽 manzairaku Ancient court dance tune
御節料理 osechirōri Traditional New Year dishes
松の雪 matsu no yuki Snow on Pine
紅白 kōhaku Red & white auspicious colours
日の出 hinode Sunrise
蓬莱 hōrai Hōrai (a mythical paradise)
太平 taihei Great Peace
玉兎 gyokuto Jade Rabbit
初声 hatsugoe First bird-call (usually rooster)
sakigake Forerunner / Pioneer
神楽 kagura Sacred Dance
okina Venerable Old Man
年玉 toshidama Old word for New Year gift
初日影 hatsuhikage First sunlight of the year
初春 hatsuharu Early spring/New Year
七草 nanakusa The “seven herbs” of spring
akebono Daybreak
御来光 goraikō Sacred sunrise viewed from heights
丹頂 tanchō Red-crowned Crane
早梅 sōbai Early-blooming plum
年賀状 nengajō New Year greeting card
君が代 kimigayo His Majesty's Reign
歳旦祭 saitansai Imperial New Year rite
松飾 matsukazari General term for New Year greenery decos
初音 hatsune First Song (of the year)
枯野 kareno Withered Field
瑞光 zuikō Auspicious light
慶雲 keiun Celebratory Cloud
高砂 takasago Takasago
松竹梅 shōchikubai Pine-bamboo-plum celebratory trio
歳旦 saitan New Year’s morning
綵鳳 saihou Colorful Phoenix
千両 senryō Sarcandra berry symbolising wealth
松の内 matsunouchi Period when pine decorations stay
瑞雪 zuisetsu Auspicious Snow
初便り hatsudayori First news/message received
雑煮椀 zōniwan Bowl for New Year soup
恵方 ehō Lucky compass direction for the year
初暦 hatsugoyomi First calendar opened in New Year
瑞鶴 zuikaku Mythical “auspicious crane”
寒月 kangetsu Winter Moon
宝船 takarabune Treasure Ship
万歳 banzai Traditional comic congratulation performance
扇始 ōgihajime First opening of folding fans at court
福寿草 fukujusō Amur Adonis
三が日 sanganichi First three days of New Year
朝雪 asayuki Morning Snow
埋火 uzumibi Banked Fire
February
淡雪 awayuki Light Snow
梅日和 umebiyori Perfect day for plum blossoms
梅月 baigetsu Plum Moon
fuku Good Fortune
春浅し haruasashi “Spring still shallow”
祈年祭 kinensai Imperial “Harvest-prayer” rite
雫石 shizukuishi Dripping water stone
早桃 samomo Early peach buds
煎り大豆 iridaizu Roasted soybeans (Setsubun)
桃色 momoiro Peach pink
向春 kōshun Toward spring
白梅 hakubai White plum blossoms
福寿草 fukujusō Adonis amurensis
氷解 hyōkai Ice Melts
鬼やらい oni-yarai Expelling demons
masu Measuring Box
紅梅 kōbai Red plum
香雪蘭 kōsetsuran Freesia
早霞 sōkasumi Early haze
余光 yokō Lingering winter sunlight
長閑 nodoka Tranquil early-spring day
寒桜 kanzakura Winter cherry
恵方 ehō Auspicious Direction
雪崩梅 nadarebai Plum avalanche (mass bloom)
河津桜 kawaduzakura Kawazu early cherry
雪解 yukige Snow Thaw
立春大吉 risshun-daikichi “Great fortune at Risshun” talisman
風仄 kazehonoka Faint spring breeze
桃始笑 momo-hajimete-saku “Peach first smiles” (72 micro-season)
香春 kawaru Fragrant spring
飛梅 tobiume Flying plum
冴返る saekaeru Cold snaps back
雨水雛 usuibina Dolls displayed at Usui solar term
猫柳 nekoyanagi Pussy Willow
余花 yoka Plum “left-over flowers”
一陽 ichiyō One Yang
解氷 kaihyō Thawing Ice
雪折 yukiore Broken by Snow
黄鶯 kōō Golden Oriole / Yellow Warbler
着水雲 chakusui-un Cloud touching water (mist)
小糠雨 konuka-ame Fine drizzling rain
観梅 kanbai2 Plum-viewing
冴返る saekaeru Return of the Cold
梅暦 umegoyomi Plum Calendar
桃花水 tōkasui Water tinted by peach blossoms
銀嶺 ginrei Silver Peak
雨水 usui Rain-water solar term
立春大吉 risshun daikichi Great Luck on the First Day of Spring
雲雀上がる hibariagaru Skylark ascending
初雷 hatsurai First thunder of the year
春立つ haru tatsu Spring Begins
立春 risshun First Day of Spring
oni Demon / Ogre
稲荷詣 inarimōde Inari shrine pilgrimage
薄氷 usugōri Thin Ice
朧月 oborozuki Hazy moon
雪消 yukigeshi Disappearance of snow
雪晴 yukibare Clearing After Snow
祈年祭 kinensai Prayer for a Bountiful Year
節分 setsubun Day before Risshun
桃花香 tōkakō Incense of peach blossoms
探梅 tanbai Searching for Plum Blossoms
春泥 shundei Spring mud
猫柳 nekoyanagi Pussy-willow
木の芽風 konomekaze Wind over budding trees
春待月 harumachizuki “Month waiting for spring”
柳青めく yanagiaomeku Willows turning green
東風 kochi East Wind
早桜 sōō Early cherry
芳春 hōshun Fragrant spring
雪間 yukima Rift in the Snow
早燕 satsubame Early-returning swallow
若水 wakamizu First Water of the Year
望春 bōshun Anticipating spring
ume Plum Blossom
梅一輪 umeichirin Single plum blossom
梅一輪 ume ichirin A Single Plum Blossom
針供養 harikuyō Memorial for Needles
雪解 yukige Snow-melt
水温む mizu nurumu The Water Warms
東風 kochi East spring wind
霞始靆 kasumi-hajimete-tanabiku “Haze starts to drift” (72候)
白梅 hakubai White Plum Blossom
見ぬ梅 minuume Unseen plum
白魚 shirauo Icefish
ai Love
香雪 kōsetsu Fragrant snow (plum petals)
早梅 sōbai Early Plum
初鮎 hatsuayu First ayu sweetfish (in tank)
梅匂 umeniou Plum’s scent
春寒 shunkan Early-spring chill
福は内 fuku-wa-uchi “Fortune in!” chant at Setsubun
芽柳 meyanagi Sprouting willow
臥竜梅 garyūbai Reclining-dragon plum
畦焼 azeyaki Burning field ridges
余雪 yosetsu Remaining snow patches
柳の芽 yanaginome Willow buds
余寒 yokan Lingering cold after Risshun
ume Plum blossoms
暁天 gyōten Dawn Sky
余暖 yodan Left-over warmth
追儺 tsuina Heian court demon-chasing rite
uguisu Japanese bush-warbler
寒紅 kanbeni Cold-season rouge
青柳 aoyagi Young green willow
春告鳥 harutsugedori Spring-announcing bird
節分 setsubun Setsubun (Seasonal Division)
巻寿司 makizushi Rolled Sushi
笑門来福 shōmon raifuku Fortune Comes to a Laughing Gate
涅槃会 nehan'e Nirvana Day Ceremony
梅花雪 baika-no-yuki Plum-petal snow
雪間草 yukimagusa Plants peeping through snow
香梅 kōbai2 Scented plum
草萌 kusamoe First sprouting grass
鬼は外 oni wa soto Demons Out!
天満宮 tenmangū Tenmangū Shrine
薄氷 usurai2 Thin ice
春待つ haru matsu Waiting for Spring
雪中花 setchūka Flower in the Snow
余寒 yokan Lingering Cold
春一番 haruichiban First strong south wind of year
鶯宿梅 ōshukubai “Bush-warbler resting plum”
雪洞 bonbori Paper lamps for Hina dolls
春は来ぬ haru wa kinu Spring Has Come
薄紅 usukurenai Light crimson (plum petal hue)
甘酒 amazake Sweet fermented rice drink
報春 hōshun Heralding Spring
寒明 kan'ake End of the Cold Season
月待 tsukimachi Waiting for the moon
寒紅 kanbeni Winter Crimson
雪解風 yukigekaze Wind that melts snow
魚上氷 uo-kōri-wo-izuru “Fish rise up through ice” (72候)
春隣 harutonari “Spring next door”
曙梅 akebonobai Dawn plum
初花 hatsuhana First Flower
紅梅香 kōbaikō Scent of red plum
建国記念日 kenkoku kinenbi National Foundation Day
初雲雀 hatsuhibari First skylark song
探梅 tanbai Searching for plum blossoms
残雪 zansetsu Lingering Snow
早春 sōshun Early Spring
芽吹 mebuki Budding
寒香 kankō Chilly fragrance (of plum)
氷紋 hyōmon Ice Patterns
好文木 kōbunboku Tree that Favors Literature
春寒 shunkan Spring Cold
寒梅 kanbai Winter Plum
寒鰆 kansawara Winter Spanish mackerel
恵方巻 ehōmaki Sushi roll eaten facing lucky direction
鬼は外 oni-wa-soto “Devils out!” Setsubun chant
梅見 umemi Plum Blossom Viewing
風光る kazehikaru Wind shining (glittering air)
浅緋 asaake Pale scarlet (plum bud colour)
臘梅 rōbai Wintersweet
年男 toshiotoko Man of the Year
鶯宿梅 ōshukubai Warbler's Lodging Plum
雪割草 yukiwari-sō Snow-breaking flower
春兆 shunchō Omen of Spring
蕗の薹 fukinotō Butter-bur sprout
未開紅 mikaikō Unopened Crimson
木芽 kinome Tree Buds
初午餅 hatsuuma-mochi Rice cakes offered on Hatsu-uma
春待鳥 harumachidori “Bird waiting for spring”
雪中梅 setchūbai Plum in snow
早蕨 sawarabi Early bracken fiddleheads
鬼打豆 oniuchimame Demon-striking Beans
香り梅 kaoriume Fragrant plum
歳徳神 toshitokujin God of the Year's Virtue
雛灯 hinabi Doll-festival lights
春霞 harugasumi Spring haze
uguisu Japanese Bush Warbler
鬼打豆 oniuchimame “Demon-beating beans”
sakigake Forerunner / Pioneer
淡霞 awagasumi Pale haze
鶯餅 uguisumochi Green-soybean mochi
蕨餅 warabimochi Bracken-starch jelly
梅香 baika Plum Fragrance
麗らか uraraka Bright and calm (spring sky)
雛道具 hinadōgu Miniature furnishings for Hina display
春の兆し haru no kizashi Signs of Spring
mame Bean
献灯 kentō Offering a Light
飛梅 tobiume The Flying Plum
雪割草 yukiwarisō Hepatica / Snow-breaking Plant
柊鰯 hīragi iwashi Holly and Sardine
福は内 fuku wa uchi Fortune In!
春昼 shunchū Spring daytime
残寒 zankan Remaining winter chill
東風解凍 harukaze kōri o toku East Wind Melts the Ice
春の息吹 haru no ibuki Breath of Spring
寒雀 kan suzume Winter Sparrow
御水取り omizutori Water-Drawing Ceremony
初音 hatsune First song of bush-warbler
下萌 shitahoe Green Shoots Below
磯開 isobiraki Opening of shore for harvesting
雪柳 yukiyanagi Spiraea with white blossoms
光の春 hikari no haru Spring of Light
桃符 tōfu Peach-wood talisman
早春賦 sōshunfu “Early-spring air” (song title)
野梅 yabai Wild Plum
寒月 kangetsu Cold moon
立春 risshun Beginning of spring solar term
如月 kisaragi Traditional name of February
解氷 kaihyō Ice thaw
kasumi Haze
国見 kunimi Land Viewing
東雲 shinonome Dawn glow
陽炎 kagerō Heat shimmer
不香花 fukōge Scentless Flower
春の雪 haru no yuki Spring Snow
追儺 tsuina Demon-Quelling Ceremony
光の春 hikari-no-haru “Spring of light”
若布 wakame New wakame seaweed
氷の鏡 kōri no kagami Mirror of Ice
紅梅 kōbai Red Plum Blossom
春告草 harutsugesō Spring-Heralding Plant
水温む mizunurumu Water becomes lukewarm
氷解 hyōkai Ice breakup
梅見月 umemizuki “Plum-viewing month” (archaic)
日脚伸ぶ hiashi nobu The Days Lengthen
春光 shunkō Spring light
早梅 sōbai2 Early-blooming plum
上巳 jōshi Third day of third month (Hina)
如月 kisaragi Kisaragi (Poetic month name)
雛菓子 hinagashi Sweets for Hina dolls
初午 hatsuuma First “horse day” festival
March
柳絮 ryujo Willow fluff
初桜 hatsuzakura First Cherry Blossoms of the Season
油菜 aburana Rapeseed
桜湯 sakurayu Hot water with salted blossoms
黄蝶 kichō Yellow butterfly
木の芽 konome Tree Sprouts
磯遊び isoasobi Beach-combing / Playing on the Shore
左近の桜 sakon no sakura Cherry Tree on the Left
春泥 shundei Spring Mud
雪解川 yukigegawa Snow-melt stream
花籠 hanakago Flower basket
山桜 yamazakura Wild mountain cherry
流し雛 nagashibina Dolls floated on water
五人囃子 gonin-bayashi Five Court Musicians
三椏 mitsumata Paperbush bloom
観桜 kanō Viewing cherry blossoms
田起し taokoshi Plowing the Paddy
初蝶 hatsuchō First Butterfly of the Season
雛祭り hinamatsuri Hina Doll Festival
雪柳 yukiyanagi Thunberg's Meadowsweet
山笑う yamawarau “Hills laugh” with fresh green
別れ雪 wakareyuki Parting snow
春水 shunsui Springtime water
春宵 shunshō Spring evening
春蘭 shunran Cymbidium goeringii
春の水 haru no mizu Spring Water
花衣 hanagoromo Blossom-patterned robe
yume Dream
菜花 nabana Edible flower shoots
初蝶 hatsuchō Season’s first butterfly
貝合わせ kai-awase Shell-Matching Game
momo Peach
卒業 sotsugyō Graduation
紅椿 benitsubaki Red Camellia
卒業 sotsugyō Graduation
修二会 shunie Tōdai-ji repentance rite
芽吹き mebuki Sprouting / Budding
流し雛 nagashi-bina Floating Hina Dolls
花霞 hanagasumi Blossom haze
桃の節句 momono-sekku Peach Blossom Festival
桜蘂降 sakurashibe-furu Stamens falling like rain
木の芽 kinome Tree buds
雀の子 suzume no ko Sparrow Chick
花筏 hanaikada_gomei Flower Raft
桃の節句 momo no sekku Peach Festival
啓蟄 keichitsu Insects Awaken
潮干狩り shiohigari Shell Gathering
花蘇芳 hanazuō Eastern redbud blossom
椿 tsubaki Camellia
啓蟄 keichitsu Insects awaken solar term
春日影 haruhikage Spring sunlight
花曇 hanagumori Blossom haze
涅槃会 nehan-e Buddha’s Nirvana service (15 Feb lunar)
籠松明 kagotaimatsu Giant basket torches
牡丹餅 botamochi Spring rice-cake with azuki
花時雨 hanashigure Petal shower
花見舟 hanamibune Blossom-viewing boat
忘れ貝 wasuregai Forgotten Shell
曲水 kyokusui Winding Stream
oboro Hazy / Dim
東大寺 tōdaiji Tōdai-ji Temple
弥生 yayoi Traditional name of the third lunar month
野焼き noyaki Field Burning
菜種梅雨 natane-zuyu Canola-rain drizzle
梨花 rika Pear blossom
初桜 hatsuzakura First cherry seen in the year
道明寺 dōmyōji Dōmyō-ji style sakuramochi
白魚 shirauo Icefish
春灯 shuntō Spring lamp
花明り hanaakari Petal glow at dusk
花吹雪 hanafubuki Blossom blizzard
佐保姫 sahohime Goddess of Spring
花の宴 hana-no-en Florid banquet under blossoms
弥生 yayoi Yayoi (Poetic month name)
雀始巣 suzume-hajimete-suku “Sparrows start nesting” micro-season
彼岸桜 higanzakura Equinox-blooming cherry
馬酔木 ashibi Andromeda shrub
内裏雛 dairibina Imperial Couple Hina Dolls
白酒 shirozake White Sake
桃源郷 tōgenkyō Peach Blossom Spring / Paradise
雛壇 hinadan Multi-tier doll stand
桜影 sakurakage Shadow of cherry blooms
桜始開 sakura-hajimete-hiraku “Cherry begins to open” micro-season
浅黄蝶 asagichō Pale-yellow swallowtail
彼岸 higan Equinox Buddhist week
淡雪 awayuki Light melting snow
桜貝 sakuragai Pink tellin shells
山笑う yama warau The Mountains Smile
だるま daruma Daruma Doll
桜狩 sakuragari Searching for best blossoms
春風 shunpū / harukaze Spring Breeze
沈丁花 jinchōge Winter-daphne fragrance
帰燕 kien Swallows returning
乙女椿 otome-tsubaki Otome camellia cultivar
風光る kaze hikaru The Wind Glistens
利休忌 rikyūki Rikyū Memorial
鳥帰る tori kaeru Birds Return
若草 wakakusa Young Grass
彼岸会 higane Equinox Buddhist ceremony
若草山 wakakusayama Mount Wakakusa in Nara
旅立 tabidachi Setting out on a journey
三人官女 sannin-kanjo Three Court Ladies
糸柳 itoyanagi Slender-stem willow
菜の花 nanohana Rapeseed Blossoms
桜鯛 sakuradai Sea-bream caught in blossom season
すみれ sumire Violet
ぼた餅 botamochi Botamochi Rice Ball
たんぽぽ tanpopo Dandelion
遠山 tōyama Distant Mountains
雲雀囀 hibari-saezuru Skylark warbling
花時 hanadoki Blossom season
西行忌 saigyōki Saigyō Memorial
踏青 tōsei Spring grass ramble (treading green)
花道具 hanadōgu Utensils for blossom season
雛あられ hina-arare Hina Doll Rice Crackers
雷乃発声 kaminari-sunawachi-koe-wo-hassu “Thunder begins to sound” micro-season
二月堂 nigatsudō Nigatsu-dō Hall
引汐 hiki-shio Ebbing Tide
花冷 hanabie Chill in blossom season
warabi Bracken Fern
菜の花 nanohana Canola blossoms
雛祭 hinamatsuri Girls’ Doll Festival (3 Mar)
春眠 shunmin Spring Sleep
kasumi Haze / Mist
旅立ち tabidachi Departure / Setting Off
浅蜊 asari Short-neck clam
お松明 otaimatsu Great Torch
春暁 shungyō Spring Dawn
名残雪 nagoriyuki Lingering snow
雲雀 hibari Skylark
春光 shunkō Spring Light
蒲公英 tanpopo Dandelion
木瓜 boke Flowering quince
seri Japanese Parsley
桜餅 sakuramochi Cherry-leaf wrapped sweet
花嵐 hanaarashi Blossom storm
花筏 hanaikada Blossom rafts
吉野山 yoshinoyama Mount Yoshino famed for blossoms
shijimi Freshwater Clam
紅椿 benitsubaki Red camellia
雪解水 yukigemizu Snow-melt water
燕来る tsubame-kuru Swallows arrive
春雨 harusame Spring Rain
春一番 haru ichiban First Gale of Spring
彼岸 higan Higan (Equinox Week)
草若葉 kusawakaba Fresh green grass leaves
桜海老 sakuraebi Sakura shrimp
右近の橘 ukon no tachibana Tachibana Orange on the Right
花の雲 hana no kumo Clouds of Blossoms
麗か uraraka Bright and Balmy
春社 shunsha Rite for the earth-gods
胡蝶 kochō Butterfly
花見 hanami Cherry-blossom viewing
hamaguri Clam
桜鱒 sakuramasu Cherry salmon
御水取 omizutori Water-drawing rite
春眠 shunmin Spring slumber
春嵐 haruarashi Spring gale
陽炎 kagerō Heat Haze
駘蕩 taitō Mild and languid spring warmth
木蓮 mokuren Lily Magnolia
片栗 katakuri Katakuri (Dogtooth Violet)
花見 hanami Flower Viewing
花明り hana akari Glow of Blossoms
花の雨 hana no ame Rain on the Blossoms
春雨 harusame Soft spring rain
春疾風 haruhayate Sudden spring squall
侘助 wabisuke Wabisuke camellia cultivar
若草 wakakusa Young grass
若狭井 wakasi Wakasa Well
菜虫化蝶 namushi-chō-to-naru “Caterpillars turn to butterflies” micro-season
連翹 rengyō Forsythia
花篝 hanakagari Torch-lit blossoms
蓬餅 yomogi-mochi Mugwort Mochi
土筆 tsukushi Horsetail Shoots
sakura Cherry Blossom
花屑 hanakuzu Petal fragments
桜花 ōka Cherry flowers
夜桜 yozakura Nighttime cherry blossoms
初鰹 hatsugatsuo Season’s first bonito
燕来る tsubame kuru Swallows Arrive
春分 shunbun Vernal equinox
花見酒 hanamizake Sake for blossom viewing
吉野 yoshino Yoshino district itself
菱餅 hishimochi Diamond-shaped Mochi
花吹 hanafuki Petal gust
春分 shunbun Vernal Equinox
染井吉野 someiyoshino Somei-yoshino cultivar
春雷 shunrai First strong spring thunder
April
木下闇 koshitayami Gloom beneath trees
甘茶 amacha Sweet hydrangea tea
藤波 fujinami Waves of wisteria
風薫 kazekaoru Wind carrying fragrance
青梅 aoume Green unripe plums
桜狩 sakuragari Cherry Blossom Hunting
花片 hanabira Petal
朧月 oborozuki Hazy Moon
花の宴 hana no en Blossom Banquet
花吹雪 hanafubuki Blizzard of Blossoms
マーガレット māgaretto Marguerite
蝌蚪 kato Tadpoles
山吹 yamabuki Kerria Japonica
代掻 shirokaki Ploughing seedbed
日々是好日 hibi kore kōjitsu Every Day is a Good Day
枝垂桜 shidarezakura Weeping Cherry
春の暮 haru no kure Spring Dusk
常盤 tokiwa Evergreen
蝶の舞 chō no mai Dance of the Butterfly
百花 hyakka A Hundred Flowers
躑躅 tsutsuji Azalea
柳緑 ryūryoku Willow green
鴻雁北 kōgan-kitasu “Wild geese fly north”
新茶 shincha First tea of the year
春の日 haru no hi A Spring Day
爛漫 ranman In Full Bloom / Glorious
パンジー panjī Pansy
関山 kanzan Kanzan double cherry
青葉闇 aobayami Deep shade of new foliage
御衣黄 gyoikō Gyoikō green cherry
新樹光 shinjukō Light on fresh trees
花筵 hanamushiro Flower Mat
耕鳥 kōchō Plowing Bird
霜止出苗 shima-yamite-nae-izuru “Frost ends
萌木 moegi Budding wood
花水木 hanamizuki Dogwood blossoms
山躑躅 yamatsutsuji Wild azalea
忘れな草 wasurenagusa Forget-me-not
紫雲英 gengé Chinese milk-vetch
花疲れ hanazukare Fatigue after blossom viewing
麦燕 mugi-tsubame Barley Swallow
誕生仏 tanjōbutsu Infant Buddha Statue
笹鳴 sasanaki Sparrow-like warbler call
白雲 hakuun White Clouds
麦笛 mugibue Barley-leaf whistle
松の花 matsu no hana Pine Flower
新緑 shinryoku Fresh verdure
sumire Violet
苗代 nawashiro Rice-seedling bed
木漏日 komorebi Sunlight through leaves
灌仏 kanbutsu Bathing-Buddha rite
花信風 kashinfū Wind heralding flowers
芍薬 shakuyaku Chinese peony
春塵 shunjin Spring Dust
行く春 yuku haru The Passing Spring
牡丹華 botan-hanasaku “Peonies bloom” micro-season
馬酔木の花 asebi no hana Andromeda Blossom
残花 zanka Late lingering blossoms
takenoko Bamboo shoot
若葉雨 wakaba-ame Rain on fresh leaves
藤の蕾 fuji no tsubomi Wisteria Bud
緑雨 ryoku-u Green rain
桜餅 sakuramochi Sakura Mochi
磯巾着 isoginchaku Sea Anemone
入学 nyūgaku School Entrance
楊貴妃 yōkihi Yōkihi cherry cultivar
柳堤 ryūtei Willow-lined bank
桜人 sakurabito Cherry Blossom Person
春雷 shunrai Spring Thunder
苺花 ichigobana Strawberry blossoms
柳絮 ryūjo Willow fluff
イースター īsutā Easter
鯉幟 koinobori Carp streamer
竹の秋 takenoaki “Bamboo autumn” (yellow leaves)
花冷え hanabie Spring Chill During Blossom Season
花御堂 hanamidō Flower Hall
虹始見 niji-hajimete-arawaru “First rainbow appears”
残花 zanka Remaining Blossoms
fuji Wisteria blossoms
壷菫 tsubosumire a type of Violet
穀雨 kokuu Grain Rains
花守 hanamori Blossom Guardian
若芝 wakashiba New lawn grass
玄鳥至 genchō-itaru “Swallows arrive” micro-season
花祭 hanamatsuri Buddha’s Birthday festival
卯月 uzuki Old lunar name of April
蛙の合戦 kawazu no kassen Battle of Frogs
花の雫 hana no shizuku Dewdrop on a Blossom
卯月 uzuki Fourth Lunar Month
葉桜 hazakura Leafy Cherry Tree
卯の香 unoka Scent of deutzia
桐花 tōka Purple paulownia bloom
春昼 shunchū Spring Daytime
緑竹 midoritake Green bamboo
春駒 harukoma Spring Colt
緑風 ryokufū Green wind
惜春 sekishun Regret for Passing Spring
葭始生 yoshi-hajimete-shōzu “Reeds first sprout” micro-season
野田藤 nodafuji Noda wisteria cultivar
フリージア furījia Freesia
海棠 kaidō Flowering Crabapple
牡丹 botan Peony
春の宵 haru no yoi Spring Evening
遅桜 osozakura Late-blooming Cherry Tree
花の露 hana no tsuyu Dew on the Blossom
復活祭 fukkatsusai Easter Feast
十三参り jūsan-mairi Thirteen-Year-Old Shrine Visit
八十八夜 hachijū-hachi-ya 88th night from Risshun
燕子花 kakitsubata2 Alternate name for iris
桜川 sakuragawa Cherry Blossom River
踏青 tōsei Treading on the Green
松月 shōgetsu Shōgetsu cherry cultivar
蝌蚪 kato Tadpole
瑞花 zuika Auspicious falling snow-flakes of petals
長閑 nodoka Tranquil / Peaceful
柳緑花紅 ryūryoku kakō Willows are Green, Flowers are Red
花便り hanadayori Flower News
一葉 ichiyō Ichiyō late cherry cultivar
普賢象 fugenzō Fugen-zō cherry cultivar
山藤 yamafuji Wild wisteria
清水 shimizu_april Pure Spring Water
花篝 hanakagari Blossom Bonfire
卯の花 unohana Deutzia blossom
藤棚 fujidana Wisteria trellis
蓬摘 yomogitsumi Picking mugwort leaves
花筏(植物) hanaikada (shokubutsu) Helwingia japonica (plant)
山若葉 yamawakaba Young mountain leaves
青柳雨 aoyanagi-ame Rain on green willows
藤色 fujiiro Wisteria purple
山滴緑 santekimidori Mountains dripping green
蛙始鳴 kaeru-hajimete-naku “Frogs first croak” micro-season
木々芽 kigime Buds on every tree
チューリップ chūrippu Tulip
山吹 yamabuki Kerria blossoms
花の陰 hana no kage Beneath the Blossoms
卯波 unami Ripples of deutzia
げんげ genge Chinese Milkvetch
青葉 aoba Fresh green leaves
林檎の花 ringo no hana Apple Blossom
初緑 hatsumidori Season’s first green
日永 hinaga Lengthening days
蜜蜂 mitsubachi Worker honey-bee
鎌足 kamatari Kamatari cherry cultivar
花明り hana akari Glow of Blossoms
花筏 hanaikada Flower Raft
灌仏会 kanbutsu-e Buddha's Birthday Ceremony
藤房 husafuji Wisteria bunch
春の野 haru no no Spring Field
青嵐 aoarashi Blue-green gale
青麦 aomugi Green barley ears
若葉光 wakabahi-kari Light on young leaves
鬱金 ukon Ukon yellow cherry
花紅 hana kurenai Crimson Blossom
瑞雨 zui-u Auspicious spring rain
春色 shunshoku The Colors of Spring
初摘 hatsuzumi First plucking
萌黄色 moegiiro Light yellow-green
薫風 kunpū Fragrant spring breeze
若竹 wakatake Young bamboo
春の田 haru no ta Spring Paddy
一期一会 ichigo ichie Once in a Lifetime Encounter
花の雪 hana no yuki Snow of Blossoms
惜春 seki-shun Lamenting end of spring
桜鯛 sakuradai Cherry Blossom Sea Bream
吉野山 yoshinoyama Mount Yoshino
若茶 wakacha Young tea
紫藤 shitō Purple wisteria
kame Turtle
陽光桜 yōkō-zakura Yōkō cherry cultivar
林檎花 ringobana Apple blossoms
神武天皇祭 jinmu tennō sai Emperor Jinmu Festival
春の川 haru no kawa Spring River
若緑 wakamidori_april Young Green
春の海 haru no umi Spring Sea
都忘れ miyakowasure Gymnaster savatieri
薄桜 usuzakura Pale cherry blossoms
茶摘 chatsumi Tea-leaf picking
山吹水 yamabukimizu Water reflecting kerria
若楓 wakakaede Young maple leaves
花曇 hanagumori Overcast Cherry Blossom Weather
飛花 hika Scattered flying petals
清明 seimei Clear and Bright
甘茶 amacha Sweet Tea (Hydrangea Tea)
梨の花 nashi no hana Pear Blossom
杜若 kakitsubata Iris laevigata
若葉風 wakabakaze Breeze through fresh leaves
春の月 haru no tsuki Spring Moon
八重桜 yaezakura Double-flowered Cherry
花祭り hanamatsuri Flower Festival
穀雨 kokū Grain-rain solar term
霧島躑躅 kirishima-tsutsuji Kirishima azalea cultivar
kawazu Frog
蚯蚓出 mimizu-izuru “Earth-worms surface”
清明 seimei Clear-bright solar term
田螺 tanishi River Snail
若鮎 waka-ayu_april Young Ayu Sweetfish
May
竹落雫 takeochi-shizuku Drips from bamboo leaves
夏木立 natsukodachi Fresh-leafed grove
菖蒲湯 shōbuyu Iris Bath
竹笛 takebue Bamboo flute played outdoors
初杜鵑 hatsu-hototogisu Season’s first cuckoo
釣鐘草 tsuriganesō Campanula (bellflower)
薄花桜 usuhanazakura Very late pale cherry
蛙交 kawazumajiwaru Frogs mate noisily
夏浅し natsu asashi Summer is Young
薫草 kunsō Fragrant early-summer grass
甘草 kanzō Daylily
渓流 keiryū Mountain Stream
桜桃 ōtō Cherry fruit
登竜門 tōryūmon Gateway to Success
五月晴れ satsukibare Fine May Weather
水馬 amenbo Water strider
常夏 tokonatsu Everlasting Summer/Pinks
飛花落花 hikarakka Petals still drifting
山滴る yamashitataru Mountains dripping green
蟷螂生 kamakiri-shōzu “Praying mantis hatches” micro-season
真鯉 magoi Black Carp
小満 shōman Lesser Ripening of Grain
雛罌粟 hinageshi Papaver rhoeas poppy
閑寂 kanjaku Quiet and Serene
菖蒲酒 shōbuzake Spiced sake with iris root
著莪 shaga Fringed Iris
青柏祭 seihakusai Seihakusai in Nanao
麦秋 bakushū “Barley autumn” harvest time
蜂起 hachiokoshi First honey-bee flight
御田植祭 otauesai Shrine rice-planting rite
岩根 iwane Rock Root
泰山木 taisanboku Southern Magnolia
緑陰 ryokuin Green shade
花菖蒲 hanashōbu Japanese iris in bloom
初音 hatsune_gomei First Song
岩つつじ iwatsutsuji Rock Azalea
青嵐 seiran / aorashi Storm in the Green Leaves
五月晴 satsukibare Clear sky after early-summer rain
早瀬 hayase Rapids
八十八夜 hachijūhachi-ya 88th Night
田植歌 taue-uta Rice-planting chants
双葉葵 futaba-aoi Asarum caulescens
枇杷実 biwami Loquat fruit
深緑 fukamidori Deep Green
chimaki Chimaki
清夏 seika Clear Summer
未央柳 biyōyanagi Hypericum Monogynum
馬酔木 asebi_gomei Japanese Andromeda
緑風 ryokufū Breeze over fresh leaves
青鷺 aosagi Grey heron in fresh green
花菖蒲 hanashōbu Japanese Iris
早苗 sanae Young Rice Plants
田植 taue Rice-planting
卯の花 unohana Deutzia Flower
緑雨 ryokuu Green Rain
麦飯 mugimeshi Barley-rice dish
薬玉 kusudama Scented Ornamental Ball
風薫る kaze kaoru The Wind is Fragrant
水鶏 kuina Water Rail
山若葉 yamawakaba2 Mountain fresh leaves (late)
文目 ayame Iris japonica
若緑 wakamidori Young Green
郭公 kakkō Cuckoo
時鳥 hototogisu First lesser cuckoo song
皐月 satsuki Old lunar name for May
青葉木菟 aobazuku Brown hawk-owl arrival
初蛍 hatsuhotaru Season’s first firefly
竹笋生 takenoko-shōzu “Bamboo shoots sprout” micro-season
菖蒲葺 shōbubuki Thatched with iris leaves
蚕起食桑 kaiko-okite-kuwa-wo-hamu “Silkworms wake and eat mulberry” micro-season
木漏日 komorebi Sunlight filtering through leaves
桐の花 kiri no hana Paulownia Flower
落花 rakka Falling Blossoms
手鞠花 temaribana Snowball Bush
矢車 yaguruma Pinwheel Arrow
時鳥笛 hototogisubue Cuckoo-whistle toy
ukigusa_gomei Floating Weed
三社祭 sanjamatsuri Sanja Festival of Asakusa
香魚 kōgyo Fragrant-fish (ayu)
葵祭 aoi-matsuri Aoi Festival at Kyoto
立夏 rikka Beginning of summer solar term
鈴蘭 suzuran Lily-of-the-valley
神田祭 kanda-matsuri Kanda Festival
初鰹 hatsu-gatsuo First Bonito of the Season
田植踊 taue-odori Rice-planting dance
chimaki Steamed rice wrapped in leaves
花蜜 hanamitsu Nectar in abundance
飛花 hika2 Scattered petals on the wind
田水張 tamizuharu Paddies filled with water
fuji Wisteria
石楠花 shakunage Rhododendron
五月 satsuki Modern name of the month
五月雨 samidare Early Summer Rain
風早 kazahaya Swift Wind
立夏 rikka Beginning of Summer
青梅 aoume_gomei Green Plum
夏木立 natsu kodachi Summer Grove
葉桜 hazakura_gomei Leafy Cherry Tree
紅花栄 benibana-sakau “Safflowers flourish” micro-season
初夏 shoka Early summer
立葵 tachiaoi Hollyhock spikes
薔薇香 barakō Fragrance of roses
夏立つ natsutatsu Summer sets in
賤ヶ岳 shizugatake Shizugatake
橘花 kikka Tachibana flower (Sino-Jpn)
早苗田 sanaeda Paddy with seedlings
藤波 fujinami Wisteria Waves
青楓 aokaede Fresh-green maple leaves
花橘 hanatachibana Blossoms of tachibana orange
潮干狩 shiohigari Tidal-flat shell gathering
夕立雲 yūdachigumo Clouds portending evening shower
走り hashiri The Very First of the Season
白雲 hakuun_gomei White Clouds
青嵐音 aoarashi-oto Sound of the green gale
紫陽花 ajisai Hydrangea
清和 seiwa Clear and Calm
菖蒲湯 shōbuyu Bath with iris leaves
菖蒲 shōbu / ayame Iris
若武者 wakamusha Young Warrior
早蕨 sawarabi_gomei Early Fern Shoots
空豆 soramame Broad beans in season
金鳳花 kinpōge Buttercup
梅子黄 umenomi-kibamu “Green plums turn yellow” micro-season
麦秋至 bakushū-itaru “Barley harvest arrives” micro-season
菖蒲 shōbu Sweet-flag iris
蚊始生 ka-hajimete-shōzu “Mosquitoes first appear” micro-season
薄紅薔薇 usubenibara Pale-pink roses
白牡丹 shirobotan White Peony
清流 seiryū Clear Stream
端午 tango Boys’ Day Festival (5 May)
柏餅 kashiwa-mochi Kashiwa Mochi
岩清水 iwashimizu Rock Spring Water
苗香 naega Scent of wet seedlings
菖蒲枕 shōbumakura Pillow stuffed with iris leaves
薄暑 hakusho Light early-summer heat
yomogi Mugwort
薫風 kunpū Fragrant Breeze
若楮 wakakōzo Young paper-mulberry shoots
小満 shōman “Grain Full” solar term
一声 issei One Cry
風光る kazehikaru2 Wind glitters through leaves
青蛍 aobotaru Green fireflies at rivers
若鮎 waka-ayu Young Ayu Sweetfish
武者人形 musha ningyō Warrior Doll
新茶 shincha New Tea
杜鵑 hototogisu Lesser Cuckoo
尚武 shōbu Martial Spirit
せせらぎ seseragi Babbling Brook
万緑 banryoku Myriad Green / Verdure
青時雨 aoshigure Brief shower amid greenery
青田風 aotakaze Breeze over green rice fields
閑坐 kanza Sitting Quietly
田植 taue Rice Planting
葵祭 aoimatsuri Aoi Festival
麦茶 mugicha Roasted-barley tea
山吹 yamabuki_gomei Kerria Japonica
清水 shimizu Pure Spring Water
鯉のぼり koinobori Carp Streamers
茶摘 chatsumi Tea Picking
聖母月 seibozuki Month of the Holy Mother
青蛙声 aogaeru-koe Chorus of green frogs
麦刈 mugikari Barley reaping
tsubame Swallow
賀茂 kamo Kamo
薔薇園 baraen Rose garden in bloom
kabuto Samurai Helmet
卯の花腐し unohanakubushi Prolonged rain spoiling deutzia
新緑 shinryoku Fresh Greenery
蜜蜂 mitsubachi2 Worker honey-bee
若鮎 wakaayu Young ayu sweet-fish
走り茶 hashiri-cha Very first new tea
早乙女 saotome Planting maidens
白詰草 shirotsumekusa White clover
青蛙 aogaeru Green tree frog
卯月 uzuki Fourth Lunar Month
花筏 hanaikada Flower Raft
青楓 aokaede Green Maple
虞美人草 gubijinsō Red corn poppy
五月闇 satsukiyami Dark rainy-season nights
青葉 aoba Green Leaves
夏蝶 natsuchō Early-summer butterflies
五月雨 samidare Early-summer long rain
薄暑風 hakusho-kaze Breeze in the first heat
柏餅 kashiwamochi Oak-leaf wrapped sweet
早苗 sanae Rice seedlings
田植笠 taue-gasa Planting straw hat
葛若葉 kuzuwakaba Young kudzu leaves
松の緑 matsu no midori Green of the Pine
牡丹 botan Peony
鯉旗 koibata Carp streamer banner
躑躅 tsutsuji Azalea
若葉 wakaba Young Leaves
早乙女 saotome Rice-planting Maiden
青田 aota Fresh-green rice paddies
菖蒲刀 shōbugatana Toy sword made of iris
苔清水 koke-shimizu Mossy Spring
藤の雨 fuji no ame Wisteria Rain
吹流し fukinagashi Streamer
駒鳥 komadori Japanese Robin
青梅雨 aotsuyu Pre-rainy-season moisture
青山 seizan_gomei Green Mountain
緑雨 ryoku-u Soft rain on greenery
皐月雷 satsukirai Early-summer thunder
緋鯉 higoi Red Carp
竹の子 takenoko Bamboo Shoot
花橘 hana tachibana Orange Blossom
豆御飯 mame-gohan Rice with green peas
June
水無月 minazuki Old lunar name of June (“month of water”)
若鮎餅 waka-ayu-mochi Rolled sweet shaped like ayu
水無月涼 minazuki-ryō Coolness sought in Minazuki
蛙声 kawasei Sound of frogs
清流 seiryū_june Clear Stream
夏暁 natsuake Summer Dawn
洗心 senshin Cleansed Heart
雨だれ amadare Raindrop
手毬花 temaribana Globe hydrangea
螢火 hotarubi Firefly lights
水雲 mozuku Edible mozuku seaweed
橘風 tachibana-kaze Wind carrying citrus scent
青田風 aotakaze2 Breeze over young rice
涼風 ryōfū Cool early-summer breeze
菜果青 saika-aoshi Vegetables all lush green
一滴 itteki A Single Drop
若布干 wakame-hoshi Drying wakame seaweed
蛍狩 hotarugari Firefly viewing
水面 minamo Water's Surface
紫陽花 ajisai Hydrangea blossom
梅雨 tsuyu Rainy season
五月雨 samidare Early Summer Rain
睡蓮 suiren Water Lily
雨後晴 amenochi-hare Clear sky after rain
十薬 jūyaku Flowering Houttuynia
滴り shitadari Dripping
涼炉 ryōro Portable brazier for summer
若竹 wakatake Young Bamboo
水無月祓 minazuki-barae Alternative term for nagoshi-harae
青葉風 aobakaze Green Leaf Wind
青芒 aosusuki Fresh-green pampas grass
半夏生草 hangeshō-sō Saururus plant in bloom
入梅 nyūbai Official start of tsuyu
風船葛 fūsenkazu-ra Bladder-vine
ayu Ayu / Sweetfish
青嵐 aoarashi2 Green early-summer gale
風薫る kazekaoru Scented wind
簾巻 sudaremaki Rolling up blinds for breeze
夕立 yūdachi Early-summer evening shower
夏至 geshi Summer Solstice
杜若田 kakitsubata-den Pond thick with kakitsubata iris
梅雨空 tsuyuzora Overcast tsuyu sky
涼雨 ryōu Cool refreshing rain
水団 suiton Stone-weighted bed mat
団扇 uchiwa Flat summer fan
薫風 kunpū2 Balmy fragrant breeze
taki Waterfall
夕立雲 yūdachigumo2 Anvil clouds of showers
夕涼 yūsuzumi Evening cooling pastime
夏越祓 nagoshi-no-harae Mid-year Great Purification
未草 hitsujigusa Pygmy Water-lily
水玉 mizutama Water Drop / Polka Dot
岩つつじ iwatsutsuji Rock Azalea
水の音 mizu no oto Sound of Water
水無月 minazuki Minazuki (Poetic month name)
竹鳴風 takenaru-kaze Wind soughing in bamboo
水無月菓子 minazuki-kashi Triangular rice-cake sweet
長雨 naga-ame Long continuous rain
unagi Eel (before midsummer)
氷室 himuro Icehouse offering rite
白糸の滝 shiraito no taki White Thread Waterfall
花橘 hanatachibana Tachibana blossoms
梔子香 kuchinashi-kō Fragrance of gardenia
青竹茶杓 aodake-chashaku Fresh-cut green-bamboo chashaku
早瀬 hayase_june Rapids
糸瓜苗 hechima-nae Luffa seedlings
夏山 natsuyama Summer Mountain
竹の節 take no fushi Bamboo Joint
青楓雨 aokaede-ame Rain glistening on green maples
睡蓮 suiren Water-lily blossoms
さつき satsuki Satsuki Azalea
梅雨晴 tsuyubare Brief sunny spell in tsuyu
夏至 geshi Summer solstice
夏衣 natsu-goromo Summer Clothes
水音 mizuoto Sound of Water
あやめ ayame_hana Iris sanguinea
芒種 bōshu Grain-in-ear solar term
夏場所 natsu basho Summer Grand Sumo Tournament
緑陰 ryokuin Shade of Trees
青梅雨 aotsuyu2 Deep-green tsuyu
青簾 aosudare Green bamboo blinds
涼風 ryōfū Cool Breeze
黒南風 kurohae Moist south wind before storm
梅雨入り tsuyu-iri Onset of rainy season
釣舟 tsuribune Fishing Boat
雨蛙 amagaeru Japanese tree-frog chirping
五月闇 satsukiyami Darkness of the Fifth Month
夏木立 natsu-kodachi Summer Grove
杜若 kakitsubata Rabbit-Ear Iris
せせらぎ seseragi Babbling Brook
衣替え koromogae Changing of Clothes
青簾影 aosudarekage Shadow cast by green blinds
水鶏 kuina_june Water Rail
夏雲 natsugumo Summer Clouds
花橘香 hanatachibana-kō Fragrance of citrus blossoms
嘉祥 kajō Kajō (Sweet-eating Day)
水鶏 kuina Water-rail bird
苔衣 kokegoromo Moss Garb
鵜飼 ukai Cormorant Fishing
雨晴 amabare Clearing After Rain
青流 seiryū_aonagare Green Stream
胡瓜揉 kyūri-momi Vinegared cucumber salad
早苗饗 sanae-ae Feast after rice planting
hotaru Fireflies
izumi Spring / Fountain
若鮎簗 waka-ayu-yana Weir catching young ayu
梔子 kuchinashi Gardenia
鮎香魚 ayu-kōgyo Fragrant ayu sweet-fish
紫陽花 ajisai Hydrangea
岩清水 iwashimizu_june Rock Spring Water
蝸牛 katatsumuri Snail
蛍籠 hotarukago Bamboo cage for fireflies
額紫陽花 gaku-ajisai Lace-cap hydrangea
早苗月夜 sanae-zukiyo Moonlit night over rice seedlings
雨後の月 ugo no tsuki Moon After Rain
落とし文 otoshibumi Rolled-leaf Weevil's Cradle
梅雨雲 tsuyugumo Rainy-season clouds
半夏生 hangeshō Half-summer day (11 days after solstice)
花菖蒲園 hanashōbu-en Iris gardens at peak
走り鰹 hashirigatsuo First bonito of summer
白雨 hakuu White Rain / Squall
蛍火 hotarubi Firefly's Light
青紅葉 aomomiji Un-turned maple leaves
雷草 kaminari-gusa Dayflower sprout
梔子 kuchinashi Cape jasmine bloom
岩燕 iwatsubame Crag Martin
ryō Coolness
水中花 suichūka Flowers floating in glass bowl
篝火 kagaribi Bonfire / Watch Fire
氷柱 tsurara Blocks of ice used as décor
kōri Ice (summer use)
青瓜 aouri Young cucumber/gourd
雲の峰 kumonomine Summer cloud peaks
七変化 shichi-henge Hydrangea’s colour‐changing trait
茅の輪 chinowa Ring of cogon grass
青時雨 aoshigure Rain Falling on Green Leaves
蓮始開 hasu-hajimete-hiraku “Lotus begins to bloom” micro-season
niji Rainbow
腐草為蛍 kusaretaru-kusa-hotaru-to-naru “Rotten grass turns to fireflies” micro-season
kawazu Frogs in chorus
川床 kawadoko Riverside platform dining
田水鏡 tamizukagami “Water-mirror” of flooded fields
青鷺 aosagi Grey Heron
夏草 natsukusa Summer Grass
入道雲 nyūdōgumo First summer thunder-clouds
青梅 aoume Green Plum
麦茶香 mugicha-kō Aroma of roasted barley tea
沙羅 sara / shara Stewartia / Deciduous Camellia
氷室 himuro Ice House
夏椿 natsu-tsubaki Japanese Stewartia
青梅酒 aoume-shu Liqueur of green plums
宵短か yoimijika Brief evening twilight
風鈴 fūrin Wind Chime
竹露 chikuro Dew on Bamboo
短夜 mijikayo Short summer night
田水沸く tamizu-waku Water in paddies bubbling
梅雨寒 tsuyuzamu Chill felt during tsuyu
河骨 kōhone Yellow water-lily
白南風 shirahae South breeze after tsuyu
茅輪潜 chinowa-kuguri Passing through the grass ring
短夜 mijikayo Short Night
入梅 nyūbai Start of the Rainy Season
梅雨 tsuyu / baiu Rainy Season
夏野 natsuno Summer Field
若葉雷 wakabarai Thunder through fresh leaves
せきれい sekirei Wagtail
時鳥 hototogisu_june Lesser Cuckoo
青田波 aotanami “Green-field waves” of rice
koke Moss
夏灯 natsu-tomoshi Summer lamplight
夏越 nagoshi Passing into summer (mid-year)
涼干 suzumiboshi Night airing of clothes/bedding
青苔 seitai Green Moss
蘇民将来 somin-shōrai Talisman word on nagoshi plaques
雨宿り amayadori Taking Shelter from Rain
涼一味 ryō-ichimi “Single flavour of coolness”
蛍狩 hotarugari Firefly Watching
hotaru Firefly
七変化 shichihenge Seven Transformations
梅実黄 umenomi-kibami2 Plum fruits turn yellow
鮎解禁 ayu-kaikin Start of wild-ayu fishing
氷菓 hyōka Shaved-ice sweets
明月 meigetsu_june Bright Moon
半夏生 hangeshō Lizard's Tail Plant
玉紫陽花 tama-ajisai Hydrangea involucrata
雨蛙 amagaeru Tree Frog
花橘夜 hanatachibana-yoru Nightly scent of tachibana
若楓 wakakaede Young Maple
July
溽暑 jokusho Sultry damp heat
星の雫 hoshi-no-shizuku “Drops of stars”
山鉾 yamaboko / yamahoko Yamaboko Floats
金魚鉢 kingyobachi Goldfish bowl
芙蓉 fuyō Cotton-rose mallow
茄子花 nasubana Egg-plant blossoms
せせらぎ seseragi Babbling Brook
水遊び mizu-asobi Playing in the Water
semi Cicada
油蝉 aburazemi Large “oil” cicada
乞巧奠 kikkōten Ancient star-weaving rite
青蜻蛉 aotonbo Green damselfly
織姫 orihime Orihime (Vega)
氷水 kōrimizu Ice Water
西瓜 suika Watermelon
天気雨 tenki-ame Sun-shower
文月 fumizuki Old lunar name of July
鵲の橋 kasasagi no hashi Magpie Bridge
向日葵 himawari Sunflower
hamo Pike-conger
夕虹 yūniji Evening rainbow
初蝉 hatsuzemi First cicada heard
土用 doyō Dog-days before autumn
白玉 shiratama Rice-flour dumplings
乞巧奠 kikkōden Festival of Pleading for Skills
団扇 uchiwa Uchiwa (flat fan)
向日葵 himawari Sunflower
潮騒 shiosai Sound of surf
星月夜 hoshizukiyo Starlit Night
kaminari Thunder
宵山 yoiyama Eve of the Main Festival (Gion)
葛餅 kuzumochi Kuzu-starch cake
合歓 nemu Silk Tree
青空 aozora Blue Sky
山鉾 yamahoko Decorated festival floats
常夏 tokonatsu_july Everlasting Summer/Pinks
銀河 ginga Galaxy / Milky Way
hasu Lotus
ところてん tokoroten Sea-weed gel noodles
素麺 sōmen Sōmen Noodles
夏休み natsuyasumi Summer Vacation
木槿 mukuge Rose-of-Sharon
笹短冊 sasatanzaku Tanzaku on bamboo
小暑 shōsho Minor‐Heat solar term
清涼 seiryō Refreshing Coolness
higurashi Evening cicada
笹飾り sasa kazari Bamboo Decorations
紅蓮 kōren Red lotus in full bloom
織姫 orihime Weaving Princess star
迎火 mukaebi Welcoming bonfire
nami Wave
彦星 hikoboshi Cowherd star
海開き umibiraki Opening of Beaches for the Season
百日紅 sarusuberi Crape-myrtle
深山 miyama Deep Mountains
白蓮 byakuren White Lotus
星涼 hoshisuzu “Coolness among stars”
土用干 doyōboshi Sun-drying of books & clothes
朝顔 asagao Morning Glory
長刀鉾 naginata-hoko Naginata Float
金魚 kingyo Goldfish
umi Sea / Ocean
遠雷 enrai Distant Thunder
浜昼顔 hamahirugao Seaside bindweed
天の川 amanogawa The Milky Way
白鷺 shirasagi White Egret
大暑 taisho Major‐Heat solar term
小暑 shōsho Lesser Heat
涼朝 ryōchō Cool summer dawn
清水 shimizu Pure Spring Water
涼一味 ryō ichimi One Taste of Coolness
短冊 tanzaku Poem slips for wishes
宵待草 yoimatsugusa Evening Primrose
水羊羹 mizuyōkan Chilled bean-jelly
ガラス garasu Glass
打上花火 uchiage-hanabi Sky-rocket fireworks
土用 doyō Doyō (Midsummer period)
百日紅 sarusuberi Crape Myrtle
星屑 hoshikuzu Stardust
朝顔 asagao Morning glory
炎暑 ensho Blazing heat
彦星 hikoboshi Hikoboshi (Altair)
unagi Eel
水茄子 mizunasu Juicy pickling eggplant
打水 uchimizu Water sprinkling on ground
土用丑 doyō-ushi Day of the Ox in dog-days
かき氷 kakigōri Shaved Ice
涼星 ryōsei “Cool star”
夕凪 yūnagi Calm evening sea
海水浴 kaisuiyoku Sea bathing
梅雨明け tsuyuake End of the Rainy Season
鵜飼 ukai Cormorant fishing
盛夏 seika High summer
玉簾 tamasudare Zephyranthes
夜店 yomise Night Stall / Night Fair
星祭 hoshimatsuri Star Festival (Tanabata)
nagisa Water’s edge
蝉時雨 semishigure Cicada rain
法師蝉 hōshizemi Tree-top cicada
冷奴 hiyayakko Chilled Tofu
冷瓜 hiyashi-uri Chilled melon
鬼灯市 hōzuki-ichi Ground-cherry fair
鱧落とし hamo-otoshi Par-boiled hamo slices
冷茶 reicha Chilled green tea
花火 hanabi Fireworks
昼涼 hirusuzumi Mid-day cool spot
土用鰻 doyō-unagi Eel eaten at doyō
炎天 enten Scorching Sun / Blazing Sky
七夕 tanabata Evening of the Seventh
水中月 suichūgetsu The moon reflected on water
宵闇 yoiyami Early evening darkness
隅田川花火 sumidagawa-hanabi Sumida-gawa Fireworks Festival
短冊 tanzaku Tanzaku strips
大暑 taisho Greater Heat
心太 shinsō/ tokoroten Agar noodles (alt. kanji)
夕涼み yūsuzumi Enjoying the Evening Cool
桔梗 kikyō Balloon-flower
笹舟 sasabune Bamboo-leaf boats
西瓜 suika Water-melon
夏越の祓 nagoshi no harae Summer Passing Purification
納涼 nōryō Enjoying the Cool
浜辺 hamabe Beach / Shore
星合 hoshiai “Meeting of stars”
鵲橋 kasasagibashi Bridge of magpies
夏雲 natsugumo Summer clouds
砂浜 sunahama Sandy Beach
合歓 nemu Silk-tree blossom
夕立 yūdachi Evening Shower
牽牛星 kengyūsei “Ox-herd” star (Altair)
糸蜻蛉 itotonbo Needle damselfly
鵜舟 ubune Cormorant-fishing boat
天の川 amanogawa Milky Way
大花火 ōhanabi Grand fireworks display
昼顔 hirugao Bindweed
打ち水 uchimizu Sprinkling Water
瀑布 bakufu Great Waterfall
熱帯夜 nettaiya Tropical night
笹飾 sasakazari Bamboo‐leaf decorations
桔梗 kikyō Bellflower
七夕 tanabata Tanabata (Star Festival)
夜涼 yoryō Night cool
浴衣 yukata Yukata
鬼灯 hōzuki Chinese lantern plant
水風呂 mizuburo Cold bath
宵山 yoiyama Eve of Gion parade
清風 seifū_july Pure Breeze
semi Cicada in general
風鈴 fūrin Wind Chime
涼鈴 ryōrin “Cool bell”
土用波 doyō-nami Summer swell at beaches
風鈴 fūrin Glass & metal wind-bell
祇園祭 gion-matsuri Gion Festival in Kyoto
葛切り kuzukiri Arrow-root starch noodles
舟遊び funaasobi Boating
水鏡 mizukagami Water Mirror
氷水 kōrimizu Glass of shaved ice water
露草 tsuyukusa Asiatic Dayflower
銀河 ginga Milky Way
蜻蛉玉 tonbodama Glass “dragonfly” bead
祇園祭 gion matsuri Gion Festival
夜花火 yoruhanabi Night fireworks
荷風 kafū “Lotus wind”
蝉時雨 semishigure Cicada Chorus
文月 fumizuki / fuzuki Fumizuki (Poetic month name)
麦湯 mugiyu Barley infusion served cold
茅の輪 chinowa Chinowa (reed hoop)
鵜篝 ukagari Torch for cormorant fishing
kōri Ice
朝凪 asanagi Calm morning sea
星火 hoshika “Fire of stars”
刨氷 kakigōri Shaved ice dessert
月見草 tsukimisō Evening Primrose (alternative)
浜風 hamakaze Seaside breeze
雲の峰 kumo no mine Peak of the Clouds
梶の葉 kaji no ha Kaji (Paper Mulberry) Leaf
浜木綿 hamayū Crinum Lily
金魚 kingyo Goldfish
猛暑 mōsho Fierce heat
朝涼 asasuzumi Cool of early morning
涼風 ryōfū_july Cool Breeze
南風 minamikaze Southerly summer wind
早蝉 sassemi Very early cicada
星合 hoshiai Meeting of Stars
August
精霊棚 shōryōdana Bon altar for spirits
戦なき世 ikusanaki yo A World Without War
佞武多 nebuta Nebuta float festival
線香花火 senkō hanabi Sparkler
susuki Silver-grass before ears
芙蓉 fuyō Cotton Rose Hibiscus
糸瓜水 hechima-mizu Luffa lotion
枝豆 edamame Green soybean pods
灯籠流し tōrō-nagashi Floating lantern ceremony
草雲雀 kusahibari Ground cricket
糸瓜 hechima Luffa gourd
灯籠 tōrō Lantern
鰯雲 iwashigumo Mackerel-sky clouds
精霊流し shōryō-nagashi Floating offerings for spirits
地蔵盆 jizōbon Children’s Jizō festival
大文字 daimonji Daimonji Bonfire
寒蝉鳴 higurashi-naku “Cold-cicada sings” micro-season
海月 kurage Jellyfish drifting
玉響 tamayura Transient / Fleeting
灯籠流し tōrōnagashi Floating Lanterns
虫聞き mushikiki Evening insect-listening outing
送り火 okuribi Bon fare-well bonfire
処暑 shosho End of Heat
綿柎開 wata-no-hanashibe-hiraku “Cotton bolls first open” micro-season
迎え火 mukaebi Welcoming Fire
松明 taimatsu_august Torch
bon Bon Festival
秋草 akikusa Various autumn grasses
hagi Bush clover
轡虫 kutsuwamushi Great green katydid
冬瓜 tōgan Wax-gourd
新涼 shinryō First touch of cool air
残照 zanshō2 Afterglow in west sky
送り蜻蛉 okuri-tonbo Sending-off Dragonfly
蒙霧升降 fukaki-kiri-matō “Thick fog rises” micro-season
葉月 hazuki Hazuki (Poetic month name)
秋海棠 shūkaidō Japanese begonia
後の涼 nochi no suzu Later Coolness
追憶 tsuioku Remembrance
水蜜桃 suimitsutō Juicy white peach
流星 ryūsei Shooting star (Perseids)
tsuyu_august Dew
割氷 kachiwari Cracked-ice refreshment
夏の果て natsu no hate End of Summer
秋立つ akitatsu Autumn sets in
盆灯籠 bontōrō Paper lanterns for Bon
涼風 ryōfū Cool breeze of early autumn
木槿 mukuge Rose of Sharon
阿波踊 awa-odori Awa dance festival
葉月 hazuki Old lunar name of the 8th month
平和 heiwa Peace
葛花 kuzubana Kudzu blossoms
蓮葉雨 hasuba-ame Rain on lotus leaves
万灯会 mandō-e Ten Thousand Lantern Festival
玉蝉 gyokusen Jade Cicada
秋隣 aki-donari Autumn is Next Door
鱗雲 urokogumo Scale clouds
尾花 obana Plumed pampas
鳳仙花 hōsenka Balsam flower
台風 taifū_august Typhoon
残暑 zansho Lingering summer heat
夜風 yokaze Night breeze
馬追 umaoi Long-horned grasshopper
法師蝉 hōshizemi Another name for Evening Cicada
秋風 akikaze_august Autumn Wind
青栗 aoguri Un-ripe green chestnut
熱風 neppū Hot Wind
不戦 fusen No War
涼一味 ryō ichimi One Taste of Coolness
帷子 katabira Unlined hemp kimono
鷺草 sagisō Egret Orchid
鎮魂 chinkon Repose of Souls
遠花火 tōhanabi Distant Fireworks
ご先祖様 gosenzo-sama Honorable Ancestors
uri Gourd / Melon
月影 tsukikage Moonlight
夏姿 natsusugata_august Summer Appearance
青稲 aoinne Green ripening rice
処暑 shosho “Limit-of-Heat” solar term
稲光 inabikari Flash of Lightning
葡萄 budō Grapes in season
精霊馬 shōryō-uma Spirit Horse
五山 gozan Five bonfire mountains in Kyoto
秋暑 akiatsushi Hot day despite autumn
苦瓜 nigauri Bitter melon
夏野の露 natsuno no tsuyu Dew in the Summer Field
秋雲 akigumo Autumn clouds
夏祭り natsumatsuri Summer Festival
涼月 ryōzuki Cool early-autumn moon
八月 hachigatsu August
秋蝉 akizemi Autumn cicada
nashi Pear
花火 hanabi_august Fireworks
立秋 risshū First Day of Autumn
夏の月 natsu no tsuki Summer Moon
左大文字 hidari-daimonji Left “大” bonfire
盂蘭盆 urabon Obon (Sanskrit origin name)
鳥居形 toriigata Torii-shaped bonfire
秋立つ aki tatsu Autumn Begins
初秋 shoshū Early autumn
露けし tsuyukeshi Dewy
朝凪 asanagi Morning Calm
涼風至 suzukaze-itaru “Cool wind arrives” micro-season
感謝 kansha_august Gratitude
鈴虫 suzumushi Bell-cricket
夕涼 yūsuzumi Cooling oneself at dusk
盆踊り bon odori Bon Dance
蜻蛉 tonbo Dragonfly
立秋 risshū Beginning of autumn solar term
萩露 hagitsuyu Dew on bush clover
精霊馬 shōryō-uma Vegetable spirit-horses
稲波 inanami Waves in green rice
妙法 myōhō “Myōhō” twin-bonfires
禾乃登 kokumono-minor “Grains grow ripe” micro-season
女郎花 ominaeshi_august Patrinia scabiosifolia
夕焼 yūyake Red evening sky
盆舟 bonbune Boat offering for spirits
新涼 shinryō First Coolness of Autumn
舟形 funagata Boat-shaped bonfire
松虫 matsumushi Pine-cricket
虫時雨 mushishigure Chorus of autumn insects
無花果 ichijiku Fig fruit
閑か shizuka_august Quiet / Still
mu Nothingness
白露 hakuro_august White Dew
蚊帳 kaya Mosquito net
秋風 akikaze Autumn wind
盆の月 bon no tsuki Bon Moon
郡上踊 gujō-odori Gujō Bon dance
精霊 shōryō Ancestral spirits returning
月遅れ盆 tsukiokure-bon Delayed Bon
無花果 ichijiku Fig
油蝉 aburazemi Large Brown Cicada
鳴子 naruko Bird-scare clappers
盆踊 bon-odori Bon dance
bon Bon festival period
花笠 hanagasa Flower-hat parade
避暑 hisho Heat-escape (summering)
higurashi Evening Cicada
星月夜 hoshizukiyo Star-bright night
赤蜻蛉 akatonbo Red Dragonfly
高嶺雲 takanegumo High mountain clouds
合歓 nemu_august Silk Tree
夜長 yonaga Lengthening autumn nights
沢瀉 omodaka Threeleaf Arrowhead
残暑 zansho Lingering Summer Heat
浜千鳥 hamachidori Plover on the beach
夕凪 yūnagi Evening Calm
桔梗 kikyō_august Bellflower
流れ星 nagareboshi Shooting Star
向日葵 himawari_august Sunflower
初萩 hatsuhagi Season’s first hagi bloom
落鮎 ochiayu Downstream-running ayu
水鏡 mizukagami Water mirror
行合の空 yukiai no sora Meeting Sky
線香花火 senkō-hanabi Sparkler fireworks
大文字 daimonji “Daimonji” bonfire
秋の気配 aki no kehai A Hint of Autumn
送り火 okuribi Sending-off Fire
終戦記念日 shūsen kinenbi End of War Memorial Day
揚花火 agehanabi Skyrocket Fireworks
盂蘭盆会 urabon-e Urabon-e (Bon Festival)
鬼百合 oniyuri Tiger Lily
玉蜀黍 tōmorokoshi Sweet corn
送り盆 okuribon Sending off for Bon
晩夏 banka Late Summer
天地始粛 tenchi-hajimete-samushi “Heaven & earth first grow cool” micro-season
帰省 kisei Homecoming
鬼灯 hōzuki Chinese Lantern Plant
蟋蟀 kōrogi Field cricket
葛の花 kuzu no hana Kuzu (Arrowroot) Flower
白鷺 shirasagi_august White Egret
滝涼 takisuzu Coolness at a waterfall
赤蜻蛉 akatonbo Red dragonfly
September
秋の夜 aki no yo Autumn Night
豊年 hounen Bountiful Year
菊慈童 kikujidō_gomei Kikujidō (Chrysanthemum Boy)
十五夜 jūgoya Fifteenth Night
稲妻 inazuma Lightning over rice fields
水澄む mizu sumu Water Clears
長月 nagatsuki Nagatsuki (Poetic month name)
稲掛 inekake Sheaves hung on racks to dry
秋桜 kosumosu_sept Cosmos
観月橋 kangetsubashi “Moon-viewing bridge”
彼岸花 higanbana Red spider lily
こおろぎ kōrogi Cricket
二百十日 nihyaku-tōka 210th Day
鰡雲 boragumo “Mullet clouds” (altocumulus)
中秋 chūshū Mid-autumn night (15 Sep 旧暦)
天高馬肥 ten-takaku-uma-koyu “Sky high
女郎花露 ominaeshi-tsuyu Dew on ominaeshi blossoms
萩の露 hagi no tsuyu Dew on the Bush Clover
秋の空 aki no sora Autumn Sky
hagi Bush Clover
色取月 irotorizuki “Month of deepening colors”
杜鵑草 hototogisō Toad-lily
藤袴 fujibakama Thoroughwort
月待舟 tsukimachibune Boat from which to await the moon
月見 tsukimi Moon-viewing gathering
新蕎麦 shinsoba First soba of the year
観月 kangetsu Moon Contemplation
稲刈 inekari Rice harvesting
撫子 nadeshiko Fringed Pink (Dianthus)
曼珠沙華 manjushage Sanskrit-style name for higanbana
芋名月 imo meigetsu Taro Moon
白露草 shiratsuyugusa Grass beaded with white dew
菊酒 kikuzake Sake infused with chrysanthemum petals
鈴虫 suzumushi Bell Cricket
天高 ten-takashi “Sky lofty and clear”
稲穂光 inaho-bikari Glint on ripened rice ears
秋の声 aki no koe Voice of Autumn
雁渡 kari-wataru Wild geese in flight
高秋 kōshū “Lofty autumn”
蟄虫坏戸 mushi-kakurete-to-fusagu “Insects close their doors” micro-season
秋薔薇 akibara Autumn-blooming roses
白露 hakuro “White Dew” solar term
星祭風 hoshimatsuri-kaze Breeze on star-fest nights (Seven-Three nights post-Tanabata)
susuki Pampas Grass
水引 mizuhiki_plant Mizuhiki (Persicaria filiformis)
月兎 tsuki usagi Moon Rabbit
月兎 tsuki-usagi Moon rabbit
雁渡し kariwatashi Goose-Herding Wind
豆名月 mame meigetsu Bean Moon
稲穂 inaho Rice ears heavy with grain
鹿の音 shika no ne Cry of the Deer
蕎麦花 sobabana Buck-wheat flowers
葉鶏頭 hageitō Joseph's Coat Amaranth
虫の音 mushi no ne Sound of Insects
台風一過 taifū-ikka Clear sky after a typhoon
初茸 hatsutake Season’s first mushrooms
露寒 tsuyuzamu Chill felt in dawn dew
中秋の名月 chūshū no meigetsu Mid-Autumn Harvest Moon
秋分 shūbun Autumnal Equinox
月影 tsukikage Moonlight
虫籠 mushikago Bamboo insect cage
重陽 chōyō Chōyō (Chrysanthemum Festival)
稲穂波 inahonami “Rice-ear waves”
鶺鴒鳴 sekirei-naku “Wagtails sing” micro-season
早生柿 wasegaki Early-ripening persimmon
雁の声 kari-no-koe Honking of wild geese
菊慈童 kikujidō Immortal of the chrysanthemum legend
金風 kinpū “Golden wind”
茱萸 gumi_sept Oleaster / Dogwood Berry
初雁 hatsukari First Geese of the Season
白露 hakuro_sept White Dew
初雁 hatsukari Season’s first wild goose
清か sayaka Clear
秋の色 aki no iro Colors of Autumn
豊穣 hōjō Abundant harvest
名残の夏 nagori no natsu Lingering Remnants of Summer
敬老の日 keirō no hi Respect for the Aged Day
芋名月 imomeigetsu “Taro moon”
重陽 chōyō Double-Nine festival (9 Sep)
紫苑 shion Tatarian aster
露けし tsuyukeshi “Heavy with dew”
柿紅 kakibeni Persimmon-red colour
mozu Shrike
秋空 akizora Autumn sky
後の月 nochi no tsuki Later Moon
初紅葉 hatsu momiji First Autumn Colors
虫合 mushiawase Cricket-chirp contest
秋刀魚 sanma Pacific saury
雨月 ugetsu Rainy Moon (on a moon-viewing night)
吾亦紅 waremokō Great Burnet
月影 tsukikage Silver moonlight
実り minori_sept Ripening / Bearing Fruit
初風 hatsukaze First Wind of Autumn
稲架影 hasakage Shadow of rice racks at sunset
新走水 niibashirimizu Fresh spring water for moon tea
虫籠窓影 mushikagomado-kage Shadow of insect cage on shōji
菊枕 kikumakura Chrysanthemum Pillow
雷収声 kaminari-koe-wo-osamu “Thunder ceases its voice” micro-season
爽籟 sōrai Refreshing Sound of the Wind
秋分 shūbun Autumn equinox solar term
望月 mochidzuki Full Moon
玄鳥去 tsubame-saru “Swallows depart” micro-season
新米 shinmai Newly hulled rice
女郎花 ominaeshi Patrinia scabiosifolia
黄菊 kigiku Yellow chrysanthemums
秋の山 aki no yama Autumn Mountain
秋光 shūkō Autumn Light
菊見 kikumī Informal chrysanthemum viewing
栗飯 kurigohan Rice cooked with chestnuts
野菊 nogiku Wild field chrysanthemum
稲穂 inaho Ear of Rice
稲妻 inazuma Lightning
二百二十日 nihyaku-hatsuka 220th Day
虫時雨 mushishigure Insect Shower
真如の月 shinnyo no tsuki Moon of Truth
月下香 gekkakō Tuberose fragrance at night
無月 mugetsu Moonless (on a moon-viewing night)
菊炭 kikuzumi “Chrysanthemum charcoal”
夜長 yonaga Long Nights
秋の水 aki no mizu Autumn Water
月涼 tsukisuzu “Coolness under the moon”
銀杏 ginnan Ginkgo nuts
月草 tsukikusa Moon Plant
菊人形 kikuninngyō Dolls made of chrysanthemum blooms
菊花展 kikkaten Chrysanthemum exhibition
里芋 satoimo Taro tuber
秋茄子 akinasu Autumn eggplant
秋晴 akibare_sept Clear Autumn Weather
撫子 nadeshiko Pink (Dianthus)
白菊 shiragiku White chrysanthemum
虫送り火 mushi-okuribi Fire ceremony to chase crop pests
月輪石 tsukinowa-ishi “Moon-ring stone” used in roji
天の川 amanogawa Milky Way
kinuta Fulling Block
名月 meigetsu The Harvest Moon
桔梗 kikyou Bellflower (re-contextualized)
露寒 tsuyuzamu Dewy Cold
彼岸明け higan-ake Last day of Higan
待宵 matsuyoi Waiting for the Evening/Moon
女郎花 ominaeshi Patrinia scabiosifolia (re-contextualized)
竜胆 rindō Gentian
kuzu_plant Kuzu / Arrowroot Plant
花野 hanano Field of Autumn Flowers
菊日和 kikubiyori Perfect weather for chrysanthemums
猿猴捉月 enkō sorugetsu Monkey Trying to Catch the Moon's Reflection
露草 tsuyukusa Asiatic Dayflower
刈田 karita Just-harvested paddy
菊酒 kikuzake Chrysanthemum Sake
月待塔 tsukimachitō Rural moon-waiting stone stupa
うろこ雲 urokogumo Mackerel Sky (Cirrocumulus)
観月湯 kangetsuyu Bath taken before moon-viewing
野分 nowaki_sept Autumn Gale / Typhoon
瑞穂 mizuho “Auspicious ears of rice”
長寿 chōju Longevity
夜長月 yonagazuki “Long-night month”
菊の節句 kiku no sekku Chrysanthemum Festival
白菊 shiragiku White Chrysanthemum
山菊 yamagiku Mountain chrysanthemum
黄菊 kigiku Yellow Chrysanthemum
千代見草 chiyomigusa Classical name for chrysanthemum
長月 nagatsuki Old lunar name of September (“long night month”)
kari Wild Goose
菊花酒 kikukashu Alternate name for kikuzake
初露 hatsutsuyu First Dew of the Season
kiku_september Chrysanthemum
彼岸入り higan-iri First day of Higan
秋麗 shūrei Clear and Beautiful Autumn Day
月見 tsukimi Moon Viewing
秋彼岸 akihigan Autumn Higan week
十三夜 jūsan'ya Thirteenth Night
十五夜 jūgoya Fifteenth-night moon
観菊 kangiku Chrysanthemum viewing party
着せ綿 kisewata Cotton on Chrysanthemums
秋の七草 aki no nanakusa Seven Flowers of Autumn
虫売 mushii Insect vendors
いわし雲 iwashigumo Cirrocumulus Clouds
弓張月 yumiharizuki Waxing/Waning Moon (Bow Moon)
雁行 gankō Geese lined in flight
水始涸 mizu-hajimete-karuru “Paddy water first dries” micro-season
朝霧 asagiri Morning mist
秋思 shūshi Autumnal wistfulness
野分 nowaki Typhoon-type autumn storm
秋晴 akibare Crystal autumn fine weather
菊月 kikuzuki “Chrysanthemum month”
竹簀月 takesudare-zuki Moonlight through bamboo blinds
後朝の菊 nochinoashitanokiku Chrysanthemum the Morning After
松茸 matsutake Matsutake mushroom
katsura_september Katsura Tree/Cinnamon Tree (in moon context)
金木犀 kinmokusei Osmanthus fragrans aurantiacus
雁来紅 ganraikō Amaranth
草露白 kusanotsuyu-shiroshi “Dew whitens on grass” micro-season
玄月 gengetsu Another classical name for September
月見団子 tsukimi-dango Spherical rice cakes for moon-viewing
October
茸狩り kinokogari Mushroom Hunting
霜降 sōkō Frost Descends
紫式部 murasakishikibu_plant Japanese beautyberry
照葉峡 terihakyo Shining-leaf gorge (famous scenic spot)
落葉 ochiba_oct Fallen Leaves
通草 akebi Akebia
恵比寿講 ebisukō Ebisu Festival
菊花開 kiku-no-hana-hiraku “Chrysanthemums bloom” micro-season
錦秋 kinshū Brocade Autumn
亥の子祭 inoko-matsuri Boar-day pounding festival
金木犀 kinmokusei Fragrant Olive
竜田川 tatsutagawa Tatsuta River
貝寄風 kaiose Wind that washes shells ashore
紅葉鹿 momijijika Deer framed by coloured leaves
落葉掃 ochibahaki Sweeping fallen leaves
杜鵑草 hototogisu_plant Toad Lily
朝寒 asazamu Morning Cold
芸術の秋 geijutsu no aki Autumn for the Arts
銀木犀 ginmokusei Silver Osmanthus
去ぬる夏 inuru natsu The Summer That Has Passed
haze Wax Tree
冷や卸 hiyaoroshi Autumn-released sake
秋冷 shūrei_cold Autumn Chill
秋気 shūki Autumn Air/Atmosphere
栗名月 kurimeigetsu “Chestnut moon” (popular name for Jūsanya)
nishiki Brocade
寒蝉尾 kanzemi-no-owari Last cries of cicadas
爐塞 rosasagi Closing the summer brazier space
秋惜 aki-oshimu Reluctance at autumn’s dying
鱈場蟹 tarabagani Red king crab in season
熟柿 jukushi Soft-ripe persimmon
夜寒 yozamu Night chill
紅葉狩 momijigari Maple Leaf Viewing
落葉 ochiba Fallen leaves
錦秋 kinshū “Brocade autumn”
霜見草 shimomigusa “Frost-viewing grasses”
黄落 kōraku Yellow leaves falling
月待ち tsukimachi Waiting for the Moon
松手入 matsuteire Pine needle pruning in gardens
天高し ten takashi The Heavens are High
鹿鳴 shikanaku Stags bellowing
神嘗祭 kanname-sai Ise Grand Harvest Festival (17 Oct)
花野 hanano_oct Field of Autumn Flowers
神在月 kamiarizuki Kamiarizuki (God-present Month)
梢の秋 kozue no aki Autumn on the Treetops
釣瓶落とし tsurube-otoshi Like a Falling Well Bucket
kuri Chestnut
霜見月 shimomizuki “Month of viewing frost”
tsugumi Dusky thrush
菊の香 kiku no ka Scent of Chrysanthemums
錦繍谷 kinshūdani “Brocade valley” dense coloured woods
名残の風炉 nagori no furo Parting Brazier
栗拾 kuri-hiroi Chestnut gathering
鴻雁来 kōgan-kitaru “Wild geese arrive” micro-season
名残の茶 nagori no cha Tea of Parting
十三夜 jūsanya Thirteenth-night moon
竜田姫 tatsutahime Goddess of Autumn
初霜 hatsushimo First frost
鮭遡上 sake-sojō Salmon running upstream
秋深し aki fukashi Autumn Deepens
観楓台 kanpūdai “Maple-viewing platform” in tea-garden
秋桜 kosumosu_oct Cosmos
橡実 donguri Acorn
亥の子 inoko_oct Day of the Boar
sabi_oct Sabi aesthetic
蔦紅葉 tsutamomiji Crimson ivy leaves
食欲の秋 shokuyoku no aki Autumn for Appetite
里神楽 satokagura Village Shintō music & dance
炬燵開 kotatsubiraki First setting up of the kotatsu
紅葉 momiji Coloured maple leaves
木の葉時雨 konoha-shigure “Leaf-shower” (leaves falling like rain)
霜降 sōkō “Frost-Descent” solar term
菊被綿 kikukisewata Custom of placing cotton on kiku
照葉 teriha_oct Shining Leaves
蓑虫 mino-mushi Bagworm’s plaintive cry
紅葉葉 momijiba Maple Leaf
良月 ryōgetsu “Good month”
時雨 shigure_oct First Autumn/Winter Showers
鯖雲 sabagumo “Mackerel-clouds” variant
夜咄 yobanashi Night-time tea gathering by hearth
稲架日和 hasabiyori Fine day ideal for drying sheaves
銀杏黄葉 ichōmomiji Ginkgo leaves turning gold
秋灯 shūtō Autumn lamplight
亥の子餅 inoko-mochi_oct Boar Child Mochi
霎時施 kosame-tokidoki-furu “Occasional light rains” micro-season
名残の月 nagori no tsuki Parting Moon
稲刈り inekari Rice Reaping
kinoko Mushroom
秋の暮 aki no kure Autumn Dusk
灯火親しむ tōka shitashimu Befriending the Lamplight
焼栗 yakiguri Roasted chestnuts
体育の日 taiiku no hi Health and Sports Day
収穫 shukaku Harvest
零余子 mukago Yam Bulbils
晩稲 okute Late-ripening rice
有明月 ariakezuki Dawn-hanging waning moon
紅葉狩 momijigari Outing to view coloured leaves
秋深 akifukashi “Autumn deepens”
七竈 nanakamado Japanese rowan berries
炭取り虫 sumitorimushi Cricket kept to foresee charcoal quality
菊日和 kikubiyori Perfect Chrysanthemum Weather
秋晴れ akibare_oct Clear Autumn Weather
桂月 keigetsu “Cinnabar moon” (bright clear moon)
暮れの秋 kure no aki The End of Autumn
蟋蟀在戸 kirigirisu-to-ni-ari “Crickets sing at the door” micro-season
kaede Maple Tree
残菊 zangiku_oct Lingering Chrysanthemums
秋色 shūshoku Autumn Colors/Scenery
夜寒 yosamu Night Cold
露座 roza Sitting in open dew at dawn
夜長茶 yonagacha Tea enjoyed on long nights
星月夜 hoshizukiyo2 Star-filled night after frost
後の月 nochinotsuki The after-harvest moon (second moon-viewing)
時雨月 shigurezuki Old nickname “month of passing showers”
初鰤 hatsuburi Season’s first yellowtail
玄猪 gencho Gencho (Day of the Boar)
秋茜 akiakane Autumn Darter Dragonfly
豊年踊 hōnen-odori Harvest-thanksgiving dance
霜始降 shimo-hajimete-furu “First frost falls” micro-season
鰯雲 iwashigumo2 Mackerel-sky after cold dew
山粧 yamayosoō “Mountains deck themselves”
秋の雲 aki no kumo_oct Autumn Clouds
落穂 ochibo_oct Gleanings / Fallen Grain
読書 dokusho Reading
神無月 kannazuki Kannazuki (Godless Month)
武蔵野 musashino_oct Musashino Plain
豺乃祭獸 sai-sunawachi-kemono-wo-matsuru “Jackals store prey” micro-season
案山子 kakashi Scarecrow
豊穣 hōjō Rich Harvest
大豆打 daizuuhi Threshing soybeans
照紅葉 terimomiji Sun-lit scarlet leaves
川紅葉 kawamomiji Floating leaves colouring a stream
真弓 mayumi Spindle Tree
時代祭 jidai-matsuri Kyoto “Festival of the Ages” (22 Oct)
胡桃 kurumi Walnut
千歳飴 chitose-ame Long candy for Shichi-Go-San prep
文香 fumikō Sachet for seasonal letters
新酒 shinshu First sake of the brewing year
木の葉 konoha Tree leaves in general
十日夜 tōkan'ya Tenth Night
ハロウィン harowin Halloween
紅葉 kōyō / momiji Autumn Leaves
薩摩芋 satsumaimo Sweet Potato
開炉 kairo Opening the Hearth (in spirit)
wabi_oct Wabi aesthetic
錦鯉 nishikigoi Multi-coloured carp seen in clear ponds
中置 nakajoki Mid-hearth placement
小鳥来 kotorikitari “Little birds arrive”
初時雨 hatsu shigure First Autumn Shower
神無月 kannazuki Old lunar name “month with no gods” (all gods leave for Izumo)
みのむし minomushi Bagworm
木枯 kogarashi First wintry gale
林檎 ringo Apple
楓蔦黄 momiji-tsuta-kibamu “Maple & ivy turn yellow” micro-season
松風 shōfū_oct Wind in the Pines / Kettle Sound
初紅葉 hatsumomiji First leaves turning red
時代祭 jidai matsuri Festival of the Ages
林檎狩 ringo-gari Apple-picking outing
木守柿 kimorigaki Persimmon left on the tree for birds
里紅葉 satomomiji Red leaves in village precincts
柿紅葉 kaki momiji Persimmon Leaves
神在月 kamiarizuki “Month when the gods are present” (Izumo only)
山粧う yama yoso'u The Mountains Adorn Themselves
干柿 hoshigaki Persimmon being sun-dried
時雨 shigure Passing autumn shower
朝寒 asazamu Morning chill
秋の田 aki no ta Autumn Rice Paddy
初霜 hatsu shimo First Frost
新米 shinmai New Rice
野焼 noyaki Autumn grassland burning
有明の月 ariake no tsuki_oct Dawn Moon
烏瓜 karasuuri Snake Gourd
名残 nagori Parting Traces / Relics
秋の声 akinokoe Voice of Autumn
秋日和 akibiyori Fine Autumn Day
寒露 kanro “Cold-Dew” solar term
木枯一号 kogarashi-ichigō “First official kogarashi” announced
葡萄 budō Grapes
松茸 matsutake Matsutake Mushroom
銀河澄 gingasumu “Milky Way clear”
寒露 kanro Cold Dew
松茸狩 matsutake-gari Hunting matsutake mushrooms
新蕎麦粉 shinsobako Fresh buckwheat flour
石榴 zakuro Pomegranate
亥の子餅 inokomochi Rice-cakes for the “Day of the Boar”
kaki Persimmon
霜月待 shimotsukimachi Awaiting the Frost-Month (Nov)
実りの秋 minori no aki Autumn of Harvest
秋祭り akimatsuri Autumn Festival
鞍馬の火祭 kurama no himatsuri Kurama Fire Festival
山路 yamaji_oct Mountain Path
秋籠 akigomori Season of retreat indoors to read
里芋煮 satoimoni Simmered taro autumn dish
秋思 shūshi Autumn Melancholy
笙の音 shō-no-ne Sound of shō mouth-organ at autumn rites
tsuta Ivy
霜夜 shimoyo Frosty night
木の実 konomi Nuts / Berries
朝時雨 asashigure Morning shigure
白鶺鴒 shirosekirei White wagtail by streams
露寒夜 tsuyuzamu-yo Chilly dewy night
照紅 terikurenai Bright glowing crimson
November
黄落 kōraku Yellow Falling
hatahata Sandfish arriving with surf
神渡し kamiwatashi God-sending Wind
朽葉 kuchiba Decaying Leaves
深まりゆく秋 fukamariyuku aki Ever-deepening Autumn
冬支度 fuyujitaku Winter Preparations
雪輪炭 yukiwa-zumi “Snow-ring charcoal”
新嘗祭 niinamesai Harvest Festival
千歳飴 chitose-ame Thousand-Year Candy
朔風払葉 sakufū-konoha-wo-harau “North wind strips leaves” micro-season
炉塞 rofusagi Putting away the portable brazier
木枯声 kogarashigoe Sough of the kogarashi gale
寒月 kangetsu Cold-season moon
霜柱 shimobashira Frost columns
寒蕎麦 kansoba New winter buckwheat noodles
寒暁 kangyō Chilly dawn
葱鮮 negiazayaka Fresh-green winter scallions
文化の日 bunka no hi Culture Day
稲架日和 hasabiyori2 Ideal sunny day for rice-rack work
照り葉 teriha_november Shining Leaves
里神楽夜 satokagurayo Night of village kagura
百舌鳴 mozu-naku Shrike’s piercing autumn call
顔見世 kaomise Kaomise (Face-Showing Performance)
銀杏 ichō_november Ginkgo
侘助 wabisuke Simple single-petal camellia
立冬 rittō Beginning of winter solar term
茶壺開 chatsubo-biraki General term for tea-jar opening
吹き寄せ fukiyose Wind-swept Gathering
山眠る yama nemuru_november The Mountains Sleep
霜枯 shimogare Frost-withered plants
七五三 shichi-go-san 7-5-3 Festival
落葉松 karamatsu Larch
朔北風 sakuhokufū Biting north wind
神帰 kamikaeri Return of the Gods
立冬 rittō First Day of Winter
晩稲 okute2 Late-ripening rice harvested now
口切 kuchikiri Cutting the Seal (of a tea jar)
朝霜 asashimo Morning frost
初雪 hatsuyuki First snowfall
口切の祝 kuchikiri no iwai Celebration of the Tea Jar Opening
豊年踊 hōnen-odori Good-harvest thanksgiving dance
酉の市 tori no ichi Rooster Fair
冬紅葉 fuyu momiji Winter Maple Leaves
野分 nowaki_november Autumn Gale / Typhoon
薄氷 usurai Paper-thin first ice
kamo Wild Duck
残菊 zangiku Late surviving chrysanthemums
御茶壺道中 ochatsubo dōchū Honorable Tea Jar Procession
寒菊 kangiku Winter Chrysanthemum
埋火 uzumibi Buried Embers
枯野 kareno Withered autumn fields
霜楓 shimo momiji Frosted Maple Leaves
風花 kazahana Wind Flower (Snow Flurries)
石蕗 tsuwabuki Leopard Plant
新嘗祭 niiname-sai Imperial harvest thanksgiving (23 Nov)
鮟鱇 ankō Anglerfish landed in cold seas
山茶花 sazanka Sasanqua Camellia
紅葉重ね momijigasane Layered Maple Leaves
豊年 hōnen_november Bountiful Year
神送り kamiokuri Sending off the Gods
色無き風 ironaki kaze Colorless Wind
冬日向 fuyuhinata Patch of warm winter sun
群鴨 muragamo Flocks of ducks on water
霜畑 shimobatake Farmland whitened by frost
shiba_november Brushwood / Firewood
亥の子餅 inoko-mochi_november Boar Child Mochi
柚子初 yuzuhatsu Season’s first yuzu harvested
冬茶碗 fuyuchawan Thick-walled winter chawan
白菜漬 hakusai-zuke Pickled Chinese cabbage
神迎 kamimukae_november Welcoming the Gods
立冬の候 rittō no kō Season of the Beginning of Winter
千歳詣 chitose-mōde Preparatory shrine visit for Shichi-Go-San
初炭 hatsuzumi Season’s first charcoal
金盞香 kinsenka-saku “Narcissus gives scent” micro-season
枯芒 karesusuki Withered pampas grass
残菊 zangiku_november Lingering Chrysanthemums
霜夜茶 shimoyocha Tea shared on a frosty night
木枯らし kogarashi Wintry Wind
星冴 hoshisae Crystal-clear starlight
懐紙 kaishi_november Pocket Paper
河豚初 fuguhatsu First pufferfish of the season
雪催 yukimoyoi Air heavy with promise of snow
冬牡丹 fuyubotan Forcing-grown peonies
敷松葉 shikimatsuba Pine Needle Mulch
小雪 shōsetsu Lesser Snow
落ち葉 ochiba_november Fallen Leaves
寒蘭 kanran Fragrant winter orchid
蕪蒸 kabumushi Steamed turnip stuffed dish
冬桜 fuyuzakura Winter Cherry Blossom
秋惜 akioshimu Reluctance at autumn’s end
残紅 zankō Lingering Crimson
冬深 fuyufukashi “Winter deepens”
初鴨 hatsugamo First wild duck sighted
野沢菜 nozawana Nozawa turnip greens
鴛鴦 oshidori Mandarin duck pair
勤労感謝の日 kinrō kansha no hi Labor Thanksgiving Day
落葉焚 ochibataki Burning Fallen Leaves
大根干 daikonboshi Sun-drying daikon radish
寒椿 kantsubaki Winter camellia
冬萌 fuyumoe_november Winter Sprouting
錦木 nishikigi Winged Euonymus
合鴨 aigamo Domestic-wild cross ducks
菊枯 kikukare Withered chrysanthemum
松明鮭 taimatsuzake Torch-light salmon fishing
氷雨 hisame Chilly sleet
小雪 shōsetsu “Light-Snow” solar term
お火焚き ohitaki Sacred Bonfire Festival
橘始黄 tachibana-hajimete-kibamu “Mandarin fruit turn yellow” micro-season
冬霞 fuyugasumi Winter haze
夜咄 yobanashi Evening hearth-side tea gathering
冬薔薇 fuyusōbi Winter-blooming roses
槇炭 makizumi High-grade pine charcoal for hearth
初椿 hatsutsubaki Season’s first camellia
返り咲き kaerizaki Blooming Again
枯木立 karekodachi Bare winter trees
落鮭 ochizake Spent salmon drifting downstream
山茶花 sazanka Sasanqua camellia
霜夜空 shimoyozora Frost-chilled night sky
時雨 shigure_november Autumn/Winter Shower
地始凍 chi-hajimete-kōru “Earth first freezes” micro-season
末広 suehiro_november Folding Fan / Ever-widening Fortune
冬構え fuyugamae Preparing for Winter
熱燗 atsukan Hot Sake
熊手 kumade Decorative Rake
茶壺 chatsubo Tea Jar
炭取り虫 sumitorimushi Cricket kept to judge charcoal
神帰月 kamikizuki “Month when gods return”
山茶始開 sazanka-hajimete-hiraku “Sasanqua first open” micro-season
二の酉 ni no tori Second Rooster Day
十夜 jūya Ten Nights (Jūya-e)
大根焚 daikontaki Temple daikon stew offering
三の酉 san no tori Third Rooster Day
雪吊 yukitsuri Snow Ropes
冬鶫 fuyutsugumi Wintering dusky thrush
冬の月 fuyu no tsuki_november Winter Moon (Early)
霜柱 shimobashira Frost Columns
短日 tanjitsu Short Day
冬蜜柑 fuyumikan Satsuma mandarin ripening
炉開き robiraki Opening the Hearth
神楽 kagura_november Kagura (Sacred Dance)
冬鴎 fuyukamome Gulls wintering inside bays
初氷 hatsugōri First Ice
冬麗 fuyuurara Beautiful mild winter day
炉開 robiraki Hearth-opening tea gathering
氷池 kōriike Pond beginning to freeze
冬日和 fuyubiyori Bright calm winter day
木の葉雨 konoha-ame Rain of Tree Leaves
亥の日 i no hi Day of the Boar
貝寄風 kaiose2 Wind that piles shells ashore
夜長茶 yonagacha Tea enjoyed on lengthened nights
落葉松 karamatsu Larch needles turning gold
冬桜 fuyuzakura Prunus subhirtella blooming now
新嘗御飯 niiname-gohan Rice offered at Niiname
枯葉 kareha Withered Leaves
寒星 kansei Winter-time bright stars
亥の子餅 inokomochi2 Rice cakes for “Boar-day” in mid-Nov
初炉 hatsuro First use of sunken hearth
白霜 shirashimo Glittering white frost
小春日和 koharubiyori Indian Summer
壺切 tsubokiri Alternative term for kuchikiri
凍雫 iteshizuku Beads of frozen drip
冬構 fuyugoshirae Winter Preparations (alt. reading)
柴垣 shibagaki Brushwood Fence
木守 kimamori Tree Guardian
tara Pacific cod in season
野焼跡 noyakeato Scorched field after autumn burn
炬燵開 kotatsu-biraki First setting-out of the kotatsu
冬隣 fuyutonari “Winter at the neighbour”
霜月 shimotsuki Old lunar name “month of frost”
帰り花 kaeribana Unseasonal Bloom
虎始交 tora-hajimete-tsurumu “Tigers first mate” micro-season
口切 kuchikiri Opening the sealed tea-jar
晩秋 banshū Late Autumn
神楽鈴 kagurasuzu Ritual bells in autumn kagura
冬ざれ fuyuzare Wintry Desolation
牡蠣鍋 kakinabe Oyster hot-pot
冬銀河 fuyuginga Brilliant winter Milky Way
寒菊 kangiku Late-blooming hardy chrysanthemum
冬隣 fuyu-donari Winter is Next Door
初冬 shotō Early winter
鰤起 buriokoshi “Buri-awakening” thunder
白鳥来 hakuchō-kitaru Swans arrive from Siberia
枯野 kareno Withered Field
笹鳴き sasanaki Bush Warbler's Winter Cry
霜月 shimotsuki Shimotsuki (Frost Month)
炉香 rokō Fragrance of hearth charcoal
一の酉 ichi no tori First Rooster Day
冬霞灯 fuyugasumibi Lantern gleaming through winter haze
椿落葉 tsubaki-ochiba Fallen camellia leaves
亥の子 inoko_november Day of the Boar
冬日向 fuyuhinata Winter Sunshine
okina_november Old Man
霜紅葉 shimomomiji Leaves coloured deeper by frost
侘助 wabisuke_november Wabisuke Camellia
December
根雪 neyuki Lingering Snow
銀世界 gins sekai “Silver world”
凍て空 itezora Frozen Sky
年の瀬 toshi no se Year's End
冬暁 fuyugyō Winter dawn
冬至 tōji Winter Solstice
炭納め sumi-osame Last charcoal delivery for year
炬燵守 kotatsumori “Kotatsu guardian”
無事 buji No Incident / Safe and Sound
寒林 kanrin Wintry Forest
煤払 susuharai Soot-sweeping ceremony
柚子 yuzu Yuzu Citrus
湯気香 yugekō Fragrance of rising steam
終い弘法 shimai-kōbō Year-last Kōbō fair (21 Dec)
粉雪 konayuki Powder snow
餅搗 mochitsuki Rice-cake pounding
寒月 kangetsu_dec Winter Moon
煤払い susuharai Soot Sweeping
氷花 hyōka “Ice-flowers” on glass
餅つき mochitsuki Mochi Pounding
冬星座 fuyuseiza Brilliant winter constellations
冬木立 fuyukodachi Leafless winter grove
炉火 roka Hearth Fire
火鉢 hibachi Charcoal hand-brazier
細雪 sasameyuki Very light flurries
ベル beru Bell
春待月 harumachizuki “Month waiting for spring”
サンタクロース santa kurōsu Santa Claus
寒雀 kansuzume Winter Sparrow
寒夜 kan'ya Cold night
冬鷹 fuyutaka Hawk hunting in winter fields
yuki Snow
牡丹雪 botanyuki Large fluffy flakes
雪明り yukiakari Snow Light
一陽来復 ichiyō raifuku Return of the Sun
大雪 taisetsu Greater Snow
凍滝 itetaki Frozen waterfall
雪達磨 yukidaruma Snowman
冬青 soyogo Japanese holly leaves & red fruit
歳暮 seibo Year-end Gift
年用意 toshiyōi New Year Preparations
極月 gokuzuki “Ultimate month”
師走 shiwasu Shiwasu (Poetic month name)
寒梅 kanbai First buds of winter plum
大掃除 ōsōji Big Cleaning
波の花 naminohana Foamy “flowers” on winter waves
霜夜鍋 shimoyonabe Hot-pot on a frosty night
根雪 neyuki Snow that lasts all winter
霜柱 shimobashira_december Frost Columns
年忘 toshiwasure Year-forgetting gathering
柚子湯 yuzuyu Hot bath with floating yuzu
冬至粥 tōjigayu Azuki-rice gruel for solstice
閑寂 kanjaku Tranquil Silence
行く年 yukutoshi “The departing year”
冬景色 fuyugeshiki Winter Scenery
arare Wintry hail pellets
吹雪 fubuki Blizzard
鏡餅 kagamimochi Stacked New-Year rice cakes
ポインセチア poinsechia Poinsettia
雪嵐 yukiarashi Snow squall
切山椒 kirizanshō Year-end rice-flour sweet with pepper
落葉松 karamatsu_december Larch
行く年 yuku toshi The Passing Year
冬木立 fuyukodachi Wintry Grove of Trees
氷柱 tsurara Icicle
除夜 joya New-Year’s-eve night
冬凪 fuyunagi Calm sea in winter
飾り kazari Decoration
kōri Ice
歳月 saigetsu Time / Years
終い茶事 shimaichaji Year-final formal tea gathering
成道会 jōdō-e Buddha’s enlightenment ceremony (8 Dec)
鴛鴦 oshidori Mandarin Duck
冬至南瓜 tōji-kabocha Pumpkin stewed on solstice
晩冬 bantō Deep late-winter period
雪夜 yukiyo Snowy night
歳暮詣 seibomōde Year-end shrine visit
冬の星 fuyu no hoshi Winter Stars
柚子籠 yuzukago Bamboo basket of yuzu offered at hearth
白銀 shirogane_december Silver
除夜鐘 joya-no-kane 108-stroke temple bell
淡雪 awayuki Transient light snow
年越しそば toshikoshi soba Year-crossing Noodles
暁の茶事 akatsuki no chaji Dawn Tea Gathering
冬木瓜 fuyuboke Winter quince bloom
冬萌 fuyumoe_december Winter Sprouting
ホワイトクリスマス howaito kurisumasu White Christmas
雪月 yukidzuki Full moon shining on snow
歳末 saimatsu End of the Year (formal)
蠟梅 rōbai Wintersweet
年の市 toshi no ichi Year-end Market
冬ごもり fuyugomori Winter Confinement
寒波 kanpa Cold wave
冬晴 fuyubare Clear Winter Day
臘月 rogetsu Classical Sino-Japanese “waxing month”
新雪 shinsetsu Fresh-fallen snow
雪国 yukiguni Snow Country
雪見 yukimi Snow Viewing
除夜の鐘 joya no kane New Year's Eve Bell
事納 koto-osame Last farm or household work day
mizore Sleet
雪兎 yuki usagi_december Snow Rabbit
三十日月 misokazuki Very slim waning moon on 30th night
柚子香 yuzukō Fragrance of ripe yuzu
寒椿 kantsubaki Winter Camellia
月籠 tsukigomori “Moon hiding” (month ends)
枯山水 karesansui Dry Landscape Garden
臘八粥 rōhachi-gayu Barley-rice gruel served at Jōdō-e
柊挿 hīragisashi Holly sprig stuck in eaves
大晦日 ōmisoka New Year's Eve
雪明り yukiakari Soft light reflected by snow
冬椿 fuyutsubaki Winter Camellia
忘年 bōnen “Forget-the-year”
聖夜 seiya Holy Night (Christmas Eve)
霜夜 shimoyo Frosty Night
雪見灯 yukimitō Stone lantern for snow viewing
雪見舟 yukimibune Boat outing among falling snow
炭火暖 sumibidan Warmth from charcoal brazier
寒の水 kan no mizu Winter Water
炬燵猫 kotatsu-neko Cat curled in the kotatsu
雪晴 yukibare Clear sky after snowstorm
千両 senryō Sarcandra glabra
熊蟄穴 kuma-ana-ni-komoru “Bears enter dens” micro-season
釜鳴 kamanari Humming of kettle on hearth
雪だるま yukidaruma Snowman
雪吊 yukitsuri_december Snow Ropes
風花 kazahana Sparkling wind-borne snow dust
塒雁 toyagari Geese settling in night roost
厳寒 genkan Intense mid-winter cold
注連飾 shimekazari New-Year straw festoon
粕汁 kasujiru Sake-lees winter soup
寒梅 kanbai_dec Winter Plum
恵方 ehō Lucky compass direction for coming year
かぼちゃ kabocha_december Pumpkin / Squash
寒鴉 kangarasu Crow in bleak cold
雪椿 yukitsubaki Wild camellia blooming in snow
門松 kadomatsu Paired pine New-Year gate decoration
歳の市 toshinoichi Year-end street market
鱖魚群 sake-no-uo-muragaru “Salmon crowd in rivers” micro-season
夜咄 yobanashi Night Conversation
寒気 kanki Winter Cold / Cold Air
雪華 secca Snow crystals
暮古月 kurekozuki “Month of ancient dusk”
雪見酒 yukimizake Sake enjoyed while watching snow
万両実 manryō-mi Scarlet berries of Ardisia
納め湯 osameyu Final communal bath of the year
氷渡り kōri-watari Walking over frozen lake
閉塞成冬 heisokushite-fuyu-to-naru “Heaven & earth close; winter is born” micro-season
氷壁 hyōheki Sheet of vertical ice
寒桜 kanzakura Cold-season cherry
暖炉 danro Fireplace / Hearth
初雪 hatsuyuki First Snow
師走 shiwasu Old lunar name “priests run month”
冬の夜 fuyu no yo Winter Night
年忘れ toshiwasure Forgetting the Year
氷面鏡 kōri-no-omokagami “Ice-mirror surface”
雪華 sekka_crystal Snow Blossom / Snowflake
冬の川 fuyu no kawa Winter River
雪時雨 yukishigure Passing flurry of snow
年の暮 toshi no kure End of the Year
雪兎 yuki-usagi Small snow rabbit made by children
南天実 nantenmi Red berries of heavenly-bamboo
hiiragi Holly
歳晩 saiban Year’s last days
深雪 miyuki Deep settled snow
終い天神 shimai-tenjin Last monthly Tenjin fair (25 Dec)
キャンドル kyandoru Candle
山眠る yama nemuru_december The Mountains Sleep
プレゼント purezento Present
トナカイ tonakai Reindeer
針供養 harikuyō Memorial for broken needles (8 Dec)
大掃除 ōsōji Thorough year-end cleaning
霜枯れ shimogare Withered by Frost
冬の梅 fuyu no ume Winter Plum
冬霞 fuyugasumi Winter Haze
水仙 suisen Narcissus
福寿草 fukujusō_december Amur Adonis
餅花 mochibana Decorative mochi blossoms
冬至 tōji Winter solstice
除夜 joya New Year's Eve
クリスマス kurisumasu Christmas
深雪 miyuki Deep Snow
銀世界 ginsekai Silver World
氷柱 tsurara Long icicles
大雪 taisetsu “Great-Snow” solar term
雪見障子 yukimi-shōji Low-sill paper screen for viewing snow
年の暮 toshinokure Year-end
万両 manryō Ardisia crenata
霜深 shimofuka Very heavy frost