"Geshi", Summer Solstice Solar Term

The Summer Solstice, known as Geshi 夏至 in Japanese, occurs when the sun reaches an ecliptic longtitude of 90°, creating the longest day of the year in Japan. In 2026, the longest day was June 21st and it marked the start of the Summer Solstice Solar Term, the 10th solar term of the year in Japan.

In 2026, the summer solstice solar term is from June 21st to July 6th.  During this period, the sun rises behind Mt. Fuji and travels its longest arc across the sky, bathing the landscape in a bright, almost weightless clarity. Yet on the ground, the season feels heavy. Even though this day signals the official beginning of summer, the light has already reached its peak; from here, daylight will slowly begin to shorten again.

Summer Solstice is a quiet but important time in the farming calendar, which is what the solar terms were essentially designed to guide.  It is a period between the planting and harvesting of crops. At this time of year, the hydrangea in bloom and the lotus start to bloom too. "Ayame" iris is associated with this solar term, but they are finished in much of the Kanto region already this year.