INI

Japanese Traditional Seasonal Divisions - INI

Japanese traditional seasonal divisions are a calendar system consisting of the '24 Solar Terms' (Nijushi Sekki), which divide the year into 24 parts based on the sun's movement, and the '72 Micro-seasons' (Shichijuni Ko), which further divide each solar term into three periods. Introduced from China around the 7th century, it was revised by Shibukawa Shunkai during the Edo period to suit Japan's climate. Inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016, it continues to be used in modern calendars as a way to appreciate seasonal changes.

24 solar terms 72 micro-seasons calendar seasons traditional culture UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
[item.spring-beginning]
code=01
slug=spring-beginning
name=Spring Solar Terms
description=Six solar terms from Risshun to Kokuu.
season=spring
terms=[{"number":1,"slug":"risshun","name":"Beginning of Spring","reading":"りっしゅん","period":"2月4日頃","meaning":"春の始まりであり、1年のはじまり"},{"number":2,"slug":"usui","name":"Rain Water","reading":"うすい","period":"2月19日頃","meaning":"雪や氷が解けて水になり、雪が雨に変わる頃"},{"number":3,"slug":"keichitsu","name":"Awakening of Insects","reading":"けいちつ","period":"3月6日頃","meaning":"土の中で冬ごもりしていた虫たちが出てくる頃"},{"number":4,"slug":"shunbun","name":"Spring Equinox","reading":"しゅんぶん","period":"3月21日頃","meaning":"昼と夜の長さがほぼ同じになる日"},{"number":5,"slug":"seimei","name":"Pure Brightness","reading":"せいめい","period":"4月5日頃","meaning":"すべての物事が清く明らかになっている頃"},{"number":6,"slug":"kokuu","name":"Grain Rain","reading":"こくう","period":"4月20日頃","meaning":"春の雨が田畑を潤し、穀物の成長を助ける頃"}]
count=
microSeasons=
type=

[item.summer-beginning]
code=02
slug=summer-beginning
name=Summer Solar Terms
description=Six solar terms from Rikka to Taisho.
season=summer
terms=[{"number":7,"slug":"rikka","name":"Beginning of Summer","reading":"りっか","period":"5月6日頃","meaning":"野山に新緑が増え、夏の気配が感じられる頃"},{"number":8,"slug":"shoman","name":"Grain Full","reading":"しょうまん","period":"5月21日頃","meaning":"草木が成長して生い茂る頃"},{"number":9,"slug":"boshu","name":"Grain in Ear","reading":"ぼうしゅ","period":"6月6日頃","meaning":"稲や麦などの種を蒔く頃"},{"number":10,"slug":"geshi","name":"Summer Solstice","reading":"げし","period":"6月21日頃","meaning":"一年で昼の長さが最も長くなる頃"},{"number":11,"slug":"shosho","name":"Minor Heat","reading":"しょうしょ","period":"7月7日頃","meaning":"梅雨明けが近く暑さが増し始める頃"},{"number":12,"slug":"taisho","name":"Major Heat","reading":"たいしょ","period":"7月23日頃","meaning":"夏の暑さが本格的になる頃"}]
count=
microSeasons=
type=

[item.autumn-beginning]
code=03
slug=autumn-beginning
name=Autumn Solar Terms
description=Six solar terms from Risshu to Soko.
season=autumn
terms=[{"number":13,"slug":"risshu","name":"Beginning of Autumn","reading":"りっしゅう","period":"8月8日頃","meaning":"暑さは続くが、秋の気配を感じる頃"},{"number":14,"slug":"shosho-end","name":"End of Heat","reading":"しょしょ","period":"8月23日頃","meaning":"暑さが和らぎ、台風シーズンになる頃"},{"number":15,"slug":"hakuro","name":"White Dew","reading":"はくろ","period":"9月8日頃","meaning":"明け方、草花に白露が宿り、秋が深まる頃"},{"number":16,"slug":"shubun","name":"Autumn Equinox","reading":"しゅうぶん","period":"9月23日頃","meaning":"昼と夜の長さがほぼ同じになる日"},{"number":17,"slug":"kanro","name":"Cold Dew","reading":"かんろ","period":"10月8日頃","meaning":"草木に冷たい露が宿り寒さを感じる頃"},{"number":18,"slug":"soko","name":"Frost Descent","reading":"そうこう","period":"10月23日頃","meaning":"早朝に霜が降りはじめる頃"}]
count=
microSeasons=
type=

[item.winter-beginning]
code=04
slug=winter-beginning
name=Winter Solar Terms
description=Six solar terms from Ritto to Daikan.
season=winter
terms=[{"number":19,"slug":"ritto","name":"Beginning of Winter","reading":"りっとう","period":"11月7日頃","meaning":"木枯らしが吹き、冬の気配を感じる頃"},{"number":20,"slug":"shosetsu","name":"Minor Snow","reading":"しょうせつ","period":"11月22日頃","meaning":"木々の葉が落ち、遠くの山々には初雪が降り始める頃"},{"number":21,"slug":"taisetsu","name":"Major Snow","reading":"たいせつ","period":"12月7日頃","meaning":"寒さもだんだん厳しくなり、雪が多くなる頃"},{"number":22,"slug":"toji","name":"Winter Solstice","reading":"とうじ","period":"12月22日頃","meaning":"一年で夜の長さがもっとも長くなる頃"},{"number":23,"slug":"shokan","name":"Minor Cold","reading":"しょうかん","period":"1月6日頃","meaning":"本格的な寒さを迎える頃"},{"number":24,"slug":"daikan","name":"Major Cold","reading":"だいかん","period":"1月20日頃","meaning":"一年でもっとも寒さの厳しい頃"}]
count=
microSeasons=
type=

[item.spring-micro-seasons]
code=72-01
slug=spring-micro-seasons
name=Spring 72 Micro-seasons
description=Eighteen micro-seasons from Risshun to Kokuu.
season=spring
terms=
count=18
microSeasons=[{"number":1,"slug":"kochi-kaito","name":"East Wind Melts the Ice","reading":"こちかいとう","period":"2/4〜2/8頃","solarTerm":"立春・初候"},{"number":2,"slug":"ko-okenkan","name":"Bush Warblers Begin to Sing","reading":"こうおうけんかん","period":"2/9〜2/13頃","solarTerm":"立春・次候"},{"number":3,"slug":"uo-kori-izuru","name":"Fish Rise to the Surface of Ice","reading":"うおこおりをいずる","period":"2/14〜2/18頃","solarTerm":"立春・末候"},{"number":4,"slug":"tsuchi-sho-uruoi-okoru","name":"Rain Moistens the Soil","reading":"つちのみょううるおいおこる","period":"2/19〜2/23頃","solarTerm":"雨水・初候"},{"number":5,"slug":"kasumi-hajimete-tanabiku","name":"Mist Begins to Linger","reading":"かすみはじめてたなびく","period":"2/24〜2/28頃","solarTerm":"雨水・次候"},{"number":6,"slug":"somoku-mebae-izuru","name":"Grass and Trees Sprout","reading":"そうもくめばえいずる","period":"3/1〜3/5頃","solarTerm":"雨水・末候"},{"number":7,"slug":"sugomori-mushi-to-hiraku","name":"Hibernating Insects Open Their Doors","reading":"すごもりむしとをひらく","period":"3/6〜3/10頃","solarTerm":"啓蟄・初候"},{"number":8,"slug":"momo-hajimete-saku","name":"Peach Trees Begin to Bloom","reading":"ももはじめてさく","period":"3/11〜3/15頃","solarTerm":"啓蟄・次候"},{"number":9,"slug":"namushi-cho-to-naru","name":"Cabbage Worms Become Butterflies","reading":"なむしちょうとなる","period":"3/16〜3/20頃","solarTerm":"啓蟄・末候"},{"number":10,"slug":"suzume-hajimete-sukuu","name":"Sparrows Begin to Build Nests","reading":"すずめはじめてすくう","period":"3/21〜3/25頃","solarTerm":"春分・初候"},{"number":11,"slug":"sakura-hajimete-hiraku","name":"Cherry Blossoms Begin to Bloom","reading":"さくらはじめてひらく","period":"3/26〜3/30頃","solarTerm":"春分・次候"},{"number":12,"slug":"kaminari-koe-hassu","name":"Thunder Begins to Sound","reading":"かみなりすなわちこえをはっす","period":"3/31〜4/4頃","solarTerm":"春分・末候"},{"number":13,"slug":"tsubame-kitaru","name":"Swallows Arrive","reading":"つばめきたる","period":"4/5〜4/9頃","solarTerm":"清明・初候"},{"number":14,"slug":"kogan-kita-kaeru","name":"Wild Geese Fly North","reading":"こうがんきたへかえる","period":"4/10〜4/14頃","solarTerm":"清明・次候"},{"number":15,"slug":"niji-hajimete-arawaru","name":"Rainbows Begin to Appear","reading":"にじはじめてあらわる","period":"4/15〜4/19頃","solarTerm":"清明・末候"},{"number":16,"slug":"ashi-hajimete-shozu","name":"Reeds Begin to Sprout","reading":"あしはじめてしょうず","period":"4/20〜4/24頃","solarTerm":"穀雨・初候"},{"number":17,"slug":"shimo-yande-nae-izuru","name":"Frost Stops and Rice Seedlings Grow","reading":"しもやんでなえいずる","period":"4/25〜4/29頃","solarTerm":"穀雨・次候"},{"number":18,"slug":"botan-hana-saku","name":"Peonies Bloom","reading":"ぼたんはなさく","period":"4/30〜5/4頃","solarTerm":"穀雨・末候"}]
type=micro-seasons

[item.summer-micro-seasons]
code=72-02
slug=summer-micro-seasons
name=Summer 72 Micro-seasons
description=Eighteen micro-seasons from Rikka to Taisho.
season=summer
terms=
count=18
microSeasons=[{"number":19,"slug":"kawazu-hajimete-naku","name":"Frogs Begin to Croak","reading":"かわずはじめてなく","period":"5/5〜5/9頃","solarTerm":"立夏・初候"},{"number":20,"slug":"mimizu-izuru","name":"Earthworms Emerge","reading":"みみずいずる","period":"5/10〜5/14頃","solarTerm":"立夏・次候"},{"number":21,"slug":"takenoko-shozu","name":"Bamboo Shoots Sprout","reading":"たけのこしょうず","period":"5/15〜5/20頃","solarTerm":"立夏・末候"},{"number":22,"slug":"kaiko-okite-kuwa-hamu","name":"Silkworms Awake and Eat Mulberry","reading":"かいこおきてくわをはむ","period":"5/21〜5/25頃","solarTerm":"小満・初候"},{"number":23,"slug":"benibana-sakau","name":"Safflowers Flourish","reading":"べにばなさかう","period":"5/26〜5/30頃","solarTerm":"小満・次候"},{"number":24,"slug":"mugi-toki-itaru","name":"Wheat Harvest Season Arrives","reading":"むぎのときいたる","period":"5/31〜6/4頃","solarTerm":"小満・末候"},{"number":25,"slug":"kamakiri-shozu","name":"Praying Mantises Hatch","reading":"かまきりしょうず","period":"6/5〜6/9頃","solarTerm":"芒種・初候"},{"number":26,"slug":"kusata-kusa-hotaru","name":"Rotten Grass Becomes Fireflies","reading":"くされたるくさほたるとなる","period":"6/10〜6/15頃","solarTerm":"芒種・次候"},{"number":27,"slug":"ume-kibamu","name":"Plums Turn Yellow","reading":"うめのみきばむ","period":"6/16〜6/20頃","solarTerm":"芒種・末候"},{"number":28,"slug":"nindou-karuru","name":"Prunella Withers","reading":"にんどうかるる","period":"6/21〜6/25頃","solarTerm":"夏至・初候"},{"number":29,"slug":"ayame-hana-saku","name":"Iris Flowers Bloom","reading":"あやめはなさく","period":"6/26〜6/30頃","solarTerm":"夏至・次候"},{"number":30,"slug":"hange-shozu","name":"Pinellia Ternata Sprouts","reading":"はんげしょうず","period":"7/1〜7/6頃","solarTerm":"夏至・末候"},{"number":31,"slug":"atsukaze-itaru","name":"Warm Winds Arrive","reading":"あついかぜいたる","period":"7/7〜7/11頃","solarTerm":"小暑・初候"},{"number":32,"slug":"hasu-hajimete-hiraku","name":"Lotus Flowers Begin to Bloom","reading":"はすはじめてひらく","period":"7/12〜7/16頃","solarTerm":"小暑・次候"},{"number":33,"slug":"taka-waza-narau","name":"Hawks Learn to Fly","reading":"たかすなわちわざをならう","period":"7/17〜7/21頃","solarTerm":"小暑・末候"},{"number":34,"slug":"kiri-hana-musubu","name":"Paulownia Trees Begin to Bud","reading":"きりはじめてはなをむすぶ","period":"7/22〜7/27頃","solarTerm":"大暑・初候"},{"number":35,"slug":"tsuchi-uruo-mushi-atsushi","name":"Soil is Damp, Air is Humid","reading":"つちうるおいてむしあつし","period":"7/28〜8/1頃","solarTerm":"大暑・次候"},{"number":36,"slug":"taiu-tokidoki-furu","name":"Heavy Rains Fall","reading":"たいうじどころにふる","period":"8/2〜8/6頃","solarTerm":"大暑・末候"}]
type=micro-seasons

[item.autumn-micro-seasons]
code=72-03
slug=autumn-micro-seasons
name=Autumn 72 Micro-seasons
description=Eighteen micro-seasons from Risshu to Soko.
season=autumn
terms=
count=18
microSeasons=[{"number":37,"slug":"suzukaze-itaru","name":"Cool Winds Arrive","reading":"すずしいかぜいたる","period":"8/7〜8/11頃","solarTerm":"立秋・初候"},{"number":38,"slug":"higurashi-naku","name":"Evening Cicadas Sing","reading":"ひぐらしなく","period":"8/12〜8/16頃","solarTerm":"立秋・次候"},{"number":39,"slug":"fukaki-kiri-matou","name":"Thick Mist Hangs","reading":"ふかききりまとう","period":"8/17〜8/22頃","solarTerm":"立秋・末候"},{"number":40,"slug":"wata-shibe-hiraku","name":"Cotton Bolls Open","reading":"わたのはなしべひらく","period":"8/23〜8/27頃","solarTerm":"処暑・初候"},{"number":41,"slug":"tenchi-hajimete-samushi","name":"Heaven and Earth Begin to Cool","reading":"てんちはじめてさむし","period":"8/28〜9/1頃","solarTerm":"処暑・次候"},{"number":42,"slug":"kokumotsu-minoru","name":"Rice Ripens","reading":"こくもつすなわちみのる","period":"9/2〜9/6頃","solarTerm":"処暑・末候"},{"number":43,"slug":"kusa-tsuyu-shiroshi","name":"White Dew on Grass","reading":"くさのつゆしろし","period":"9/7〜9/11頃","solarTerm":"白露・初候"},{"number":44,"slug":"sekirei-naku","name":"Wagtails Sing","reading":"せきれいなく","period":"9/12〜9/16頃","solarTerm":"白露・次候"},{"number":45,"slug":"tsubame-saru","name":"Swallows Depart","reading":"つばめさる","period":"9/17〜9/21頃","solarTerm":"白露・末候"},{"number":46,"slug":"kaminari-koe-osamu","name":"Thunder Stops Sounding","reading":"かみなりすなわちこえをおさむ","period":"9/22〜9/27頃","solarTerm":"秋分・初候"},{"number":47,"slug":"sugomori-mushi-to-fusagu","name":"Insects Close Their Doors","reading":"すごもりむしとをふさぐ","period":"9/28〜10/2頃","solarTerm":"秋分・次候"},{"number":48,"slug":"mizu-hajimete-karu","name":"Water Begins to Dry","reading":"みずはじめてかる","period":"10/3〜10/7頃","solarTerm":"秋分・末候"},{"number":49,"slug":"kogan-kitaru","name":"Wild Geese Arrive","reading":"こうがんきたる","period":"10/8〜10/12頃","solarTerm":"寒露・初候"},{"number":50,"slug":"kiku-hana-hiraku","name":"Chrysanthemums Bloom","reading":"きくのはなひらく","period":"10/13〜10/17頃","solarTerm":"寒露・次候"},{"number":51,"slug":"kirigirisu-to-ni-ari","name":"Crickets are at the Door","reading":"きりぎりすとにあり","period":"10/18〜10/22頃","solarTerm":"寒露・末候"},{"number":52,"slug":"shimo-hajimete-furu","name":"Frost Begins to Fall","reading":"しもはじめてふる","period":"10/23〜10/27頃","solarTerm":"霜降・初候"},{"number":53,"slug":"kosame-tokidoki-furu","name":"Drizzle Falls at Times","reading":"こさめときどきふる","period":"10/28〜11/1頃","solarTerm":"霜降・次候"},{"number":54,"slug":"momiji-tsuta-kibamu","name":"Maples and Ivy Turn Yellow","reading":"かえでつたきばむ","period":"11/2〜11/6頃","solarTerm":"霜降・末候"}]
type=micro-seasons

[item.winter-micro-seasons]
code=72-04
slug=winter-micro-seasons
name=Winter 72 Micro-seasons
description=Eighteen micro-seasons from Ritto to Daikan.
season=winter
terms=
count=18
microSeasons=[{"number":55,"slug":"sazananka-hajimete-hiraku","name":"Sasanqua Camellias Begin to Bloom","reading":"さざんかはじめてひらく","period":"11/7〜11/11頃","solarTerm":"立冬・初候"},{"number":56,"slug":"chi-hajimete-kooru","name":"Ground Begins to Freeze","reading":"ちはじめてこおる","period":"11/12〜11/16頃","solarTerm":"立冬・次候"},{"number":57,"slug":"kinsenka-saku","name":"Daisies Bloom","reading":"きんせんかさく","period":"11/17〜11/21頃","solarTerm":"立冬・末候"},{"number":58,"slug":"niji-kakurete-miezu","name":"Rainbows Hide and are Unseen","reading":"にじかくれてみえず","period":"11/22〜11/26頃","solarTerm":"小雪・初候"},{"number":59,"slug":"kitakaze-konoha-harau","name":"North Winds Scatter Leaves","reading":"きたかぜこのはをはらう","period":"11/27〜12/1頃","solarTerm":"小雪・次候"},{"number":60,"slug":"tachibana-hajimete-kibamu","name":"Tachibana Oranges Begin to Yellow","reading":"たちばなはじめてきばむ","period":"12/2〜12/6頃","solarTerm":"小雪・末候"},{"number":61,"slug":"sora-fusagatte-fuyu","name":"Skies Close and Winter Comes","reading":"そらさえふさがってふゆとなる","period":"12/7〜12/11頃","solarTerm":"大雪・初候"},{"number":62,"slug":"kuma-ana-ni-komoru","name":"Bears Hibernate in Caves","reading":"くまあなにこもる","period":"12/12〜12/15頃","solarTerm":"大雪・次候"},{"number":63,"slug":"sake-muragaru","name":"Salmon Gather","reading":"さけむらがる","period":"12/16〜12/20頃","solarTerm":"大雪・末候"},{"number":64,"slug":"nindou-shozu","name":"Prunella Sprouts","reading":"にんどうしょうず","period":"12/21〜12/25頃","solarTerm":"冬至・初候"},{"number":65,"slug":"oshika-tsuno-otsuru","name":"Elk Shed Their Antlers","reading":"おおしかのつのおつる","period":"12/26〜12/30頃","solarTerm":"冬至・次候"},{"number":66,"slug":"yuki-mugi-izuru","name":"Wheat Sprouts Under Snow","reading":"ゆきのしたむぎいずる","period":"12/31〜1/4頃","solarTerm":"冬至・末候"},{"number":67,"slug":"seri-sakau","name":"Parsley Flourishes","reading":"せりすなわちさかう","period":"1/5〜1/9頃","solarTerm":"小寒・初候"},{"number":68,"slug":"shimizu-atataka-fukumu","name":"Springs Hold Warmth","reading":"しみずあたたかをふくむ","period":"1/10〜1/14頃","solarTerm":"小寒・次候"},{"number":69,"slug":"kiji-hajimete-naku","name":"Pheasants Begin to Call","reading":"きじはじめてなく","period":"1/15〜1/19頃","solarTerm":"小寒・末候"},{"number":70,"slug":"fuki-hana-saku","name":"Butterbur Flowers Bloom","reading":"ふきのはなさく","period":"1/20〜1/24頃","solarTerm":"大寒・初候"},{"number":71,"slug":"mizusawa-kori-tsumeru","name":"Streams Freeze Solid","reading":"みずさわこおりつめる","period":"1/25〜1/29頃","solarTerm":"大寒・次候"},{"number":72,"slug":"niwatori-hajimete-toya","name":"Hens Begin to Lay Eggs","reading":"にわとりはじめてとやにつく","period":"1/30〜2/3頃","solarTerm":"大寒・末候"}]
type=micro-seasons