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The 24 Solar Terms
20th Term: 【Shōsetsu (Minor Snow)】
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The 15th day after Rittō (Beginning of Winter).
A time when news of snow arrives from the northern regions.
It's called "Shōsetsu" (Minor Snow) because, even though it's snow, it's not very abundant.
The sunlight weakens, autumn leaves begin to fall, and ginkgo and citrus trees turn yellow.
The cold gradually becomes more severe, marking the beginning of full-scale winter preparations.
However, the winds in November are mild, and the daytime often feels warm, leading it to be likened to spring and called 【Koharubiyori (Indian Summer)】.
With the next solar term, "Taisetsu" (Major Snow), comes the start of preparations for the year-end, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, known as "Oshogatsu Koto Hajime" (Beginning of New Year's Preparations).
It is also the time to start preparing 【Oseibo】 (year-end gifts) for those who have helped you throughout the year.
Oseibo are gifts given to those who have helped you during the year, expressing feelings of "Thank you for this past year. I look forward to your continued support next year."
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In the 72 Micro-Seasons of 【Shōsetsu】, it is expressed as follows:
● First Micro-Season: ＜Niji Kakurete Miezu (Rainbow Hides and is Not Seen)＞
A time when the sunlight weakens, and rainbows are no longer seen.
This micro-season is the counterpart to the last micro-season of the spring solar term 【Seimei (Clear and Bright)】, "Niji Hajimete Arawaru (Rainbow First Appears)."
● Second Micro-Season: ＜Sakufū Harau Ha (North Wind Sweeps Leaves)＞
A time when cold north winds blow leaves off the trees.
One can feel the transition to a winter landscape.
● Last Micro-Season: ＜Tachibana Hajimete Kibamu (Tachibana Oranges First Turn Yellow)＞
A time when tachibana oranges begin to turn yellow.
【Hare to Kurasu New Year】 is here ▼
