Shuubun Aki Higan / Autumn Equinox in Japan

September is called Nagatsuki according to old calendar and it is coming from Yonagatsuki meaning the month where nights is becoming more long and that at the end of it autumn will slowly take place.




The autumn equinox is around September 23th and it is the day where the sun sets in the due west and the length of day and night are same.
The Autumn Equinox is a national holiday in Japan and it is that day where they give respect to ancestors. This Holiday is a period of seven days 3 days before the day of equinox and 3 days after it and it is called Aki-Higan. Just like Haru higan (Spring equinox) people goes to Buddhist services or visit their family graves.

On this special occasion Japanese sweets are eaten then. This sweets are Ohagi sweet dumplings made from rice and cover with red beans jam.




Japanese traditions are to put plain dumplings and flowers to Buddhist altar for the repose of the ancestors.

Seasons in Japan the "Summer"

In Japan the month of June is called “Minazuki” that means “The month where the water runs dry” because of the big heat. Also in June, rice plantations are at their peaks and trees are green and thick.

In June it is also the start of the “Rainy Season”, it starts in the middle of the month to finish in mid July. Rainy season bring a lot of rain and a give very humid period of time for everyone.



Do you know that Nyuubai is the day which starts the rainy season and it is called “Tsuyu”?

From all time the rainy season always starts around middle of June, but as you may know the time differ each year by region and by all climatic changes.

During the rainy season children of Japan do some traditional paper dolls called “Teruteru-bozu” to pray for good weather.



The teruteru-bozu is made out of white paper or fabrics.
The tradition about the teruteru-bozu is to hang it the window with a string heads up for a fine and sunny day and head down to have some rain.

Even today this tradition is still observed by children before outside event they hang their teruteru-bozu at windows and chant a prayer.

Here is English version of the Chant:

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Do make tomorrow a sunny day
Like the sky in a dream sometime
If it's sunny I'll give you a golden bell

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Do make tomorrow a sunny day
If you make my wish come true
We'll drink lots of sweet rice wine

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Do make tomorrow a sunny day
But if the clouds are crying (it's raining)
Then I shall snip your head off