The 12th of the 24 Solar Terms: Taisho (Great Heat)
This is the hottest time of the year.
This year, with the announcement of the end of the rainy season, the summer heat is truly beginning.
The period combining the previous solar term "Shōsho" (Minor Heat) and "Taisho" (Great Heat) is called "Shochu" (mid-summer), and this is also when "Shochu-mimai" (mid-summer greetings) are sent.
Regarding Shochu-mimai, please refer to the previous solar term "Shōsho".
Other events during the Taisho period include the zassetsu (miscellaneous seasonal days) of "Doyo."
Doyo
"Doyo" is an indicator established in addition to the 24 solar terms to more accurately grasp the changes of the seasons. These are collectively called Zassetsu (miscellaneous seasonal days).
In addition to Doyo, "Setsubun," "Higan," "Shajitsu," and "Hachijūhachiya" are also Zassetsu.
Many people associate "Doyo" with "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" (Day of the Ox during Doyo), and thus have a strong image of summer. However, just as Setsubun occurs four times a year, Doyo also occurs four times a year.
Each Doyo period lasts for 18 days before Risshun (beginning of spring), Rikka (beginning of summer), Risshu (beginning of autumn), and Ritto (beginning of winter). Currently, it is the Doyo period leading up to Risshu.
◆Origin of Doyo
Doyo is based on the "Yin-Yang Five Element Theory" introduced from China.
In the Yin-Yang Five Element Theory, the natural world is believed to be composed of five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These five elements were assigned to the seasons, with spring representing wood, summer representing fire, autumn representing metal, and winter representing water. Earth was allocated to the 18-day period before the seasonal changes of Risshun, Rikka, Risshu, and Ritto. During the summer, the "earth energy" was said to be strong, and this period was called "Doōyōji," which became "Doyo."
During Doyo, which marks a change of season, various events and customs remain, in addition to eating "unagi" (eel).
◆Events and Customs related to Doyo
●Doyo mushiboshi (airing out during Doyo)
"Doyo mushiboshi" is performed around the end of the rainy season to protect clothes and books from pests and mold. On dry, sunny days, items are air-dried in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
Also, during this period, water is drained from rice paddies, allowing the soil to crack. This is said to have the effect of suppressing the proliferation of bacteria and allowing the roots of the rice plants to grow firmly.
●Doyoboshi (sun-drying during Doyo)
Like mushiboshi, doyoboshi refers to the sun-drying essential for making umeboshi (pickled plums) on dry, sunny days.
Sun-drying activates a sterilization effect, allowing for long-term preservation. It is also said to soften the pulp, brighten the color, enhance the flavor, and mellow the taste.
Around the Doyo period, the rainy season ends, and temperatures suddenly rise, making it a time when one can easily fall ill. By embracing the wisdom of the past, imagining a comfortable and healthy life during this time can make staying at home more enjoyable.
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In the calendar, the summer period begins with
Rikka (Beginning of Summer) on May 5th, followed by
"Shōman" (Lesser Fullness)
Midsummer "Bōshu" (Grain in Ear)
"Gesh"i (Summer Solstice)
Late Summer "Shōsho" (Lesser Heat)
"Taisho" (Greater Heat)
Following this.
The next solar term, Risshu (Beginning of Autumn), marks the start of early autumn in the calendar.
During this period, from July to August, many festivals (summer festivals) are held nationwide, bringing vibrancy to various regions as seasonal traditions.
The purpose and meaning of holding festivals vary, and they change depending on the organizers' perspectives and social conditions.
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Saiji (festival rites/events)
Rituals and festivals held to honor gods, Buddhas, or ancestors with gratitude and prayers.
The main body varies. Also used as a general term for events.
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Kamigoto / Shinji (Shinto rituals)
Solemn ceremonies and rituals such as offerings to gods and prayers.
The chief priest of a shrine is the main performer.
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Kaminigiwai (divine merriment)
Events held for the purpose of public display. Local parishioners are the main organizers.
There are various types of festivals:
・Omikoshi (portable shrine)
・Dashi (festival floats)
・Matsuri-bayashi (festival music)
・Himatsuri (fire festival)
・Bon Odori (Bon dance)
・Hanabi (fireworks)
and more.
The origin of festivals is said to be recorded in the myth of "Ama no Iwato-gakure" (The Hiding of Amaterasu in the Rock Cave) in the ancient history book Kojiki.
Since ancient times, Japan has had the concept of "Yaoyorozu no Kami" (eight million gods), where gods dwell in all things. Living with nature and as an agrarian people, the Japanese believed that gods resided in the sun, stars, clouds, sea, mountains, rivers, animals, plants, and everything else.
＜Amaterasu Omikami was the sun goddess who illuminated the world,
and her younger brother Susanoo-no-Mikoto was the god of the sea, living alongside many other gods.
Susanoo-no-Mikoto was a wild and troublesome god, constantly causing problems for those around him.
Distressed by his behavior, Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in a rock cave.
The world without the sun goddess quickly became dark and filled with calamities.
The troubled eight million gods held a discussion and devised a plan. To coax the sun goddess out, they held a raucous celebration in front of the rock cave. Drawn by the joyful commotion, the sun goddess emerged, and the bright world was restored.＞
This boisterous celebration is said to be the origin of festivals.
It expresses that no matter how dark a calamity may be, by pooling wisdom and enjoying oneself, things can move in a positive direction, and that night always turns into day.
Thus, festivals are held to pray to the gods and for the gods.
In modern times, festivals are not only a place to pray to the gods, but also a place for people to interact with their communities and society, and an opportunity to learn about history and culture.
I imagine conversations like, "Shall we go to a festival we haven't been to this summer?" or "Let's go to the local festival again this year," are common around this time.
In recent years, there has been a trend of self-restraint due to the coronavirus, but I sincerely hope that after this period, people will realize that gathering together with culture enriches life.
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During the period of Taisho (Great Heat), the 72 microseasons are expressed as follows:
First Microseason: Kiri Hajimete Hana Musubu (Paulownia trees first produce fruit)
Paulownia trees bloom with pale purple flowers from April to May, and after the flowers fade, hard, egg-shaped fruits begin to form. "Hana musubu" means that the flowers bear fruit.
Second Microseason: Tsuchi Uruoute Mushi Atsushi (Soil moist and muggy)
This is the period when the soil becomes damp and muggy due to the intense heat.
This muggy heat is called "jokushō" and is a kigo (seasonal word) for late summer.
Third Microseason: Taiu Tokidoki Okonau (Heavy rains sometimes fall)
