The 4th of the Twenty-Four Seasonal Divisions: Shunbun (Vernal Equinox)
The Vernal Equinox marks the period when spring transitions into summer.
It is the day when day and night are of equal length, and it is also designated as a national holiday to admire nature and cherish living things.
It is around this time that cherry blossom forecasts begin to be heard, signaling the full arrival of spring.
In Japan, this period often brings various encounters, farewells, and changes in lifestyle throughout the year.
Now, let's introduce some events around the Vernal Equinox.
1. Shunbun and Ohigan
A holiday to "admire nature and cherish living things"
Around the Vernal Equinox.
The cold winter finally ends, the snow-covered land thaws, and the mountains and fields begin to bud, with the chirping of birds heard once again. Beneath the soil, insects stir, heading towards the beautiful season of fresh greenery.
The Vernal Equinox Day is also the middle day of "Ohigan".
The three days before and three days after the Vernal Equinox Day, making a total of seven days, constitute "Spring Ohigan."
Similarly, the three days before and three days after the Autumnal Equinox Day, making a total of seven days, constitute "Autumn Ohigan."
The Vernal Equinox Day is "a day to admire nature and cherish living things."
The Autumnal Equinox Day is "a day to respect ancestors and remember the deceased."
Generally, Ohigan is a Buddhist event held twice a year, in spring and autumn, and it is commonly understood as "a period to honor ancestors through visiting graves and making offerings."
The custom of ancestor worship during Ohigan is a unique Japanese culture.
What is Ohigan?
In Buddhism, Ohigan refers to a world of enlightenment free from delusion. (In Buddhism) the world we currently inhabit is called "shigan," described as a world full of delusions and worldly desires.
In Japan, it was once believed that the Pure Land was in the west.
From this belief, "the day when day and night are of equal length" = the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day when the sun sets directly in the west, was considered the day when one could get closest to the Pure Land, or connect with it.
The heat and cold last until Ohigan
From the Vernal Equinox to the Summer Solstice, the days get longer and the nights get shorter. From the Autumnal Equinox to the Winter Solstice, the days get shorter and the nights get longer.
The Vernal Equinox (and Autumnal Equinox) Day, when the sun sets directly in the west, was considered "the day one can get closest to the Pure Land," and thus it was chosen as the period for Ohigan.
3. Foods of the Vernal Equinox
It is customary to eat 'botamochi' on the Vernal Equinox Day.
Mochi is eaten to pray for a rich harvest, and it was served at celebrations, to important guests, and gatherings, and also offered during memorial services. Additionally, azuki beans are a symbol of warding off evil and, like mochi, are indispensable for celebrations, memorial services, and ceremonial meals.
Do you know the difference between "Botamochi" and "Ohagi"?
Botamochi is named after the 'botan' (peony) flower that blooms in spring, thus called 'Botamochi'.
Ohagi is named after the 'hagi' (bush clover) flower that blooms in autumn, thus called 'Ohagi'.
Therefore, Botamochi is made on the Vernal Equinox Day, and Ohagi is made on the Autumnal Equinox Day.
●Botamochi is made in a "round shape, resembling a peony flower."
●Ohagi is made in an "elongated oval shape, like a bush clover flower."
Furthermore, the azuki beans, which are the main ingredient for both botamochi and ohagi, are harvested in autumn.
For the autumn Ohigan, freshly harvested azuki beans could be used with their skins, so Ohagi was made with tsubu-an (chunky bean paste).
For Botamochi, as the azuki bean skins become hard by spring, koshi-an (smooth bean paste) without skins was used.
Nowadays, azuki beans can be harvested regardless of the season, so the type of bean paste used is a matter of preference, and botamochi and ohagi are used as seasonal names.
4. Shanichi (Day of the Earth God)
"Shanichi" is one of the "Zassetsu" (miscellaneous seasonal days), and the day of "Tsuchinoe-Inu" (戊) closest to the Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox is called "Shanichi."
Spring Shanichi is the time for sowing seeds, and Autumn Shanichi is the time for harvest, making them important periods in agriculture.
On this day, the local deity is enshrined. During spring Shanichi, seeds of the five grains are offered to pray for a bountiful harvest, and during autumn Shanichi, gratitude is expressed for the year's yield. In some regions, events are held to worship the local deity (Jigami) or agricultural deity (Nogami) as "Jijinko."
Furthermore, there is a tradition that if one offers sake on spring Shanichi and drinks it, their hearing will improve. This sake is called "Jirōshu."
5. Seasonal words around the Vernal Equinox
Spring is characterized by frequent weather changes and many expressions related to the season.
Shunjitsu Chichi (春日遅々)
"Shunjitsu" refers to the spring sun, and "chichi" means time passing slowly.
It expresses the long, leisurely, and serene nature of a spring day.
Shunpu Taitō (春風駘蕩)
A term describing a peaceful spring with a pleasant spring breeze.
Natane Tsuyu (菜種梅雨)
Rain like the rainy season that falls from late March to early April, around the time rapeseed flowers bloom.
Since it's rain during the blooming season, it's also called "saika-u" (催花雨), meaning "flower-inducing rain." There's also a theory that the same sound "saika" was used to refer to "na-bana" (菜花, rapeseed flowers).
Ikuka-u (育花雨)
Spring rain that promotes the growth of flowers and trees. Also called "yōka-u" (養花雨).
6. April Fools' Day
A worldwide custom where it's acceptable to tell lies on April 1st every year.
In France, considered its place of origin, it's seen as "a day to enjoy inducing laughter with harmless lies." In Europe and America too, TV stations present it as newsネタ (material/gags), and advertisements incorporate gags, making it "a day to enjoy lies" and is popular worldwide.
Its origin is unknown. In Japanese, it's directly translated as "Shigatsu Baka" (April Fool), in sinified expression as "Mangyōsetsu," in Chinese as "Yúrénjié," and in France, its place of origin, it's called "Poisson d'avril" (April Fish).
What kind of lies are told on April Fools' Day?
There are said to be several rules for April Fools' Day.
A common one is, "April Fools' lies should only be told until noon. The prank must be revealed in the afternoon."
To enjoy April Fools' Day, let's look at what rules there are.
1. No lies that bring misfortune to others
The golden rule for April Fools' lies is that they should be harmless enough to laugh off when the prank is revealed. Let's enjoy ourselves with lies that leave no hard feelings.
2. Reveal the prank on the same day
As it's "a day to enjoy with harmless lies," make sure to conclude it within the same day. If April Fools' Day passes, you might just end up being seen as a liar.
Enjoy April Fools'!
In the UK, April 2nd, the day after April Fools' Day, is called "True April," a day when "only the truth must be spoken."
It is said that many people propose on this day due to the rule of only speaking the truth.
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Around the Vernal Equinox, the Seventy-Two Microseasons are expressed as follows:
First Microseason, 10th Ko: Sparrows Begin to Nest (雀始巣 - Suzume Hajimete Sukuu)
Approximately March 21st to March 25th, 2023
Sparrows begin to build their nests.
From spring to summer, when daytime gradually lengthens, it is the breeding season for sparrows. From early morning to evening, they diligently gather dry grass and feathers to begin building their nests.
Next Microseason, 11th Ko: Cherry Blossoms Begin to Open (桜始開 - Sakura Hajimete Hiraku)
Approximately March 26th to March 30th, 2023
Cherry blossoms begin to open.
Invited by the mild spring warmth, cherry blossoms begin to open here and there during this season, and cherry blossom forecasts are heard from all over the country.
Last Microseason, 12th Ko: Thunder Makes Its Voice (雷乃発声 - Kaminari Sunawachi Koe wo Hassu)
Approximately March 31st to April 4th, 2023
First thunder sounds.
The first thunder after "Risshun" (the beginning of spring) around February 4th is called "hatsu-rai" (first thunder), and thunder in spring is called "shunrai" (spring thunder).
While thunder is common in summer, "shunrai" is not as fierce as summer thunder; it might rumble once or twice and then cease.
This microseason is paired with the first microseason of the Autumnal Equinox, "Kaminari Sunawachi Koe Osamu" (Thunder Ceases Its Voice).
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