Microseason: Heat Starts to Cool Down

The 41st of Japan’s 72 microseasons is Heat Starts to Die Down 天地始粛 Tenchi hajimete samushi. This microseason is the middle of three in the Shosho “manageable heat” solar term, when there is a more definitive move from the oppressive midsummer intense heat. This year, the microseason runs from August 28th to September 1st,

While the midday sun can still trigger severe late-summer heatwaves or sudden typhoons, the mornings and nights feature a distinct "crispness" during this microseason. This year, we are even seeing a distinct drop in even daytime temperatures since the microseason began. We haven't had to use air-conditioning for two days! Unfortunately, though, it's only an eerie coincidence, as the heat is to come back during the day from around midweek.

The first delicate, wispy Cirrocumulus clouds begin to stretch across the sky. In Japan, these are poetically called Iwashi-gumo (Sardine clouds) or Uroko-gumo (Scale clouds) because they look like ripples of fish scales. Typhoons often pass through Japan at this time, bringing sudden rain and signaling the seasonal transition. Historically, this microseason was associated with the 210th Day, once believed to be the height of typhoon season. Farmers watched the skies closely, protecting crops from strong winds and heavy rain.

Today, people notice the change in everyday moments. Laundry dries a little slower. Evenings feel more comfortable. Fresh pears start to appear on the shelfs of supermarkets. The begonia and kohiganbana are blooming. Although kohiganbana look identical to red spider lilies, they are genetically different. They bloom a few weeks before the standard spider lilies. The photo in this post was taken on August 29th.