Risshun: the beginning of spring

Today is the start of Risshun. Risshun is the first of twenty-four solar terms in Japan. These solar terms better clarify the weather and agricultural patterns than the basic four seasons.

Risshun marks the start of spring in the traditional East Asian calendar. Defined astronomically as the point when the sun reaches 315 degrees of ecliptic longitude, it usually falls on February 4, though in some years it appears on February 3. In the old calendar, this day was so significant that it served as the starting point for several seasonal counts, including the well‑known Hachijūhachi‑ya (88th night) and Nihyakutōka (210th day), both tied to agricultural rhythms.

Risshun also sits exactly between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, reinforcing its role as the symbolic beginning of spring. It symbolizes the moment when winter’s harshness begins to ease and early signs of spring appear. From this day forward, seasonal markers such as plum blossoms, milder winds, and longer daylight are traditionally expected to emerge. Although, this year, there have already been signs of spring in the Kanto region (Greater Tokyo area) for around the last week. The plum blossom photo in this post was taken on January 26th 2026.