The 5th of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms: Qingming (Pure Brightness)
It is late spring.
【All things gather here, pure and bright.】
Qingming is an abbreviation of "Seijo Meiketsu" (pure, clean, bright, and immaculate), referring to the time when all things become vibrant and pure.
As the name suggests, plants and flowers beautifully bud in the warm weather, and during morning strolls, newly hatched sparrows practice flying all at once.
A refreshing south-easterly wind, known as the "Qingming wind," heralds spring with the brilliant sunshine, softly blowing and carrying the scent of flowers, like the "kunpuu" (scented breeze) of spring.
Now, let's introduce the events around Qingming.
【Events around Qingming】
●Cherry Blossom Viewing (April)
●Qingming Festival (April 5th)
The Qingming Festival is a holiday observed on the 15th day after the spring equinox. The three days including this day are statutory holidays, and people visit graves. (In Japan, this is an annual event equivalent to "Obon.")
●Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival) (April 8th)
Hana Matsuri is a Buddhist celebration held on April 8th, believed to be the birthday of Buddha. It is widely observed in temples and Buddhist schools, regardless of sect.
●Easter (April 9th)
Easter is a celebration and commemoration of Jesus Christ's resurrection on the third day after his crucifixion and execution. In Christianity, it is considered the most important spring event, celebrating the resurrection and prosperity of life.
●New School Year/Entrance Ceremonies (Early April)
This is the day to embark on a new stage, entering a new school, grade, or workplace.
●Jusan Mairi (April 13th)
Jusan Mairi is a traditional event celebrating the healthy growth of boys and girls who have turned 13 years old (12 years old by Western reckoning).
【Qingming Festival】
The Qingming Festival is celebrated in regions that traditionally used the lunisolar calendar, such as China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In Japan, it is observed as "Shimi" (Qingming Festival) in Okinawa, having been introduced from China. It is a major event, on par with Obon and New Year's, where relatives gather at their ancestors' graves, offering sake, layered dishes, and cut flowers.
In China, people generally only visit graves during the Qingming Festival (or Chongyang Festival), so most people spend the Qingming Festival visiting graves. It is believed that the Qingming Festival did not become widespread throughout Japan due to the time difference with the continent and the existing "Ohigan" (equinoctial week).
(In mainland Japan, grave visits are made during the previous solar term, "Shunbun" (Spring Equinox), as "Ohigan." Additionally, Shunbun is observed as the day when "the length of day and night are almost equal," and in America, it is called "The first day of Spring.")
In China, immediately after visiting graves, banquets are held, and the offerings and other delicacies are consumed on the spot, so it is common for large spaces for banquets to be set up around graves. In Okinawa, there are also large spaces in front of graves for "Shimi," where banquets are held. They are very lively affairs.
【Foods for "Qingming Festival"】
The food for the Qingming Festival varies by region, strongly reflecting local characteristics. Additionally, it is customary in many regions to eat cold foods during the Qingming Festival.
Among these, a famous food for the Qingming Festival is "Qingtuan" (also known as Ching Tuan), which are green mochi or dumplings made with mugwort.
They are also called "Qingmingguo" (Qingming fruits) as they are the fruits of a season when all things are full of vitality. Qingtuan are popular mochi in China, with a soft and chewy texture, and are sold year-round, but the Qingming Festival is their peak sales period.
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Seasonal Foods
The changing of seasonal ingredients throughout the year is a unique pleasure of Japan, with its four seasons.
Seasonal ingredients contain components that the body needs during that time and help prepare the body for the coming climate, contributing to daily health.
Let's enjoy freshly harvested ingredients to beautifully adorn our tables.
Introducing seasonal ingredients around Qingming, the 5th of the twenty-four solar terms.
◆ Vegetables ◆
Qingming is a time when spring foraging, such as bamboo shoot digging and strawberry picking, becomes popular.
Bamboo shoots, in particular, are said to taste best when dug up just before they appear above ground. If they are freshly harvested, they have less bitterness and astringency and can be enjoyed raw.
Additionally, butterbur (fuki) is also in season. Butterbur is one of the few vegetables native to Japan.
◆ Fish ◆
Bonito (Katsuo) is in season!
Bonito, which travels north along the Kuroshio Current in the Pacific Ocean from the southern seas to near Japan, is called "Hatsu-Gatsuo" (first bonito) or "Nobori-Gatsuo" (ascending bonito). During the Edo period, Hatsu-Gatsuo was highly prized. The refreshing and refined taste is a characteristic of bonito from this season.
"Hatsu-Gatsuo" from March to May is light, so seared bonito (katsuo no tataki) is recommended.
"Modori-Gatsuo" (returning bonito) from September to November is fatty, so sashimi is recommended.
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During the Qingming period, the seventy-two microseasons are expressed as follows:
First Microseason, 13th Kō ＜Genchō Itaru (Swallows Arrive)＞
It is the time when summer swallows migrate.
Swallows, which spent the winter in the warm islands of Southeast Asia, have crossed the sea and arrived in Japan. The arrival of swallows signifies the beginning of full-fledged spring and the farming season.
In Japan, there is a saying that "happiness visits" homes where swallows build nests. In Europe, because they return around Easter, they are also considered birds symbolizing "resurrection and rebirth."
Second Microseason, 14th Kō ＜Kōgan Kitasu (Wild Geese Fly North)＞
It is the time when wild geese, which spent the winter in Japan, depart for the north.
Wild geese leave Japan, exchanging places with the swallows that arrive in spring (Qingming, First Microseason: Genchō Itaru).
Wild geese have long appeared in literary works and are used in various haiku and songs. The wagashi "Rakugan" and the high-grade stem tea "Karigane" are also derived from their name, indicating that these migratory birds have been deeply intertwined with the Japanese way of life since ancient times.
Third Microseason, 15th Kō ＜Niji Hajimete Arawaru (Rainbows First Appear)＞
It is the time when rainbows first appear in the sky after spring rain.
From now until summer, there will be days when the atmosphere is unstable, leading to more sudden showers. It is the season when rainbows begin to appear in the west after a sudden rain. Although "rainbow" is a summer kigo (seasonal word) in haiku, it is also written as "spring rainbow" in spring and "autumn rainbow" in autumn. In the seventy-two microseasons, it is contrasted with "Niji Kakurete Miezu" (Rainbows Hide and Are Not Seen), the first microseason of Shōsetsu (Light Snow), the 20th solar term in November.
"Niji Kakurete Miezu" refers to late autumn, when the sun's power weakens and rainbows are no longer seen, while "Niji Hajimete Arawaru" refers to spring, when rainbows begin to appear after rain.
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Enjoy the season when plants and trees shine vividly!
This is a pleasant time for outings, so it's recommended to pack a bento box filled with seasonal ingredients and head out for a walk in the lush countryside. Experience the beauty of flowers and the refreshing spring breeze in nature.
The next solar term is "Kokū" (Grain Rain).
