Microseason: Rice Fields are Drained

The 48th (of 72) microseason of the year in Japan is Rice Fields are Drained 水始涸 (Mizu Hajimete Karuru). In 2026, it is on for the five days from October 3rd to 7th. It is the final microseason of the Autumn Equinox Solar Term.

As October arrives, rice fields across Japan begin their transition from growing season to harvest season. The shimmering surfaces of flooded paddies gradually disappear, revealing dried beds. The name literally means "water begins to dry up".  The character 水 (mizu) means "water," while 涸る (karuru) means "to dry up" or "become dry." In this case, however, the water is not drying up naturally from drought. Instead, it refers to the practice of draining water from rice paddies before harvesting them.

This draining and drying of the fields is known as rakusui (落水). Today, as historically, drier conditions reduced the risk of plants falling over and make harvesting and drying the rice much easier. After months of carefully tending the crop, farmer's attention shifts to cutting, drying, and processing the rice. While rice paddies remain a familiar sight across much of Japan, there are fewer today than when the microseasons were used as a practical calendar for everyday agricultural life. 

Right now in Japan, rice fields have turned brilliant shades of gold and many are already being harvested. Egrets and ducks can often be seen foraging in the shallower, muddy areas left behind by retreating water, while red dragonflies remain a familiar sight on warm afternoons. Shops and markets are filled with autumn favorites such as chestnuts, persimmons, sweet potatoes, and freshly harvested rice.