"Seimei", Pure and Clear Solar Term

Often April 4th marks the start of the fifth solar term of the year. But in 2026 (and again in 2027) the fifth solar term starts on April 5th and extends until April 19th. The fifth solar term of the year is called Seimai 清明 Seimei, often called "Pure and clear" in English.

Seimei (清明) marks one of the most luminous points in the traditional Japanese calendar, a time when “all things become pure and bright.” It signals the shift from early spring into the gentle warmth of late spring. During Seimei, the air feels newly washed, plants push out fresh shoots, and the world seems to regain clarity after winter’s heaviness.

The season is further divided into three poetic micro‑moments which I will be writing about in the coming days. Seimei invites some beloved spring movements - opening windows, breathing in new air, and welcoming the year’s most transparent light. It also, brings many more flowers and my personal favorite cherry blossoms - the double flowering "yaezakura".