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