Microseason: Crickets Near the Door

The microseason Crickets Near the Door 蟋蟀在戸 (Kirigirisu to ni ari) begins around October 18th and lasts until October 22nd or 23rd, marking the final microseason of Kanro (Cold Dew). Traditionally translated as "Crickets are near the door" or "Crickets chirp around the door," it captures a beautiful period, one of my favorites, when autumn has fully settled across Japan.

The sounds of insects become one of the most distinctive features of the season. As the evenings grow cooler, these familiar autumn singers can often be heard closer to houses, gardens, and entrances. Traditional observers noticed that as temperatures dropped, insects gravitated towards the relative warmth of buildings, verandas, and sheltered areas around the home.

For people living in agricultural communities, the sounds of crickets signaled that the growing season was drawing to a close. Rice harvesting was largely complete in many regions, fields were becoming quieter, and attention gradually shifted towards preparing for the colder months ahead. Just as people began seeking warmth indoors, insects sought shelter around buildings, creating a subtle connection between human life and the natural world.

Nature also shows other signs of the season. Morning dew can often be found shining on spider webs, while fallen leaves begin collecting along pathways and garden edges. The air feels noticeably drier, and many areas see chrysanthemums reaching their peak bloom, providing some of autumn's most iconic colour.