Microseason: Hawks Learn To Fly

The final microseason of the Lesser Heat solar term is on from July 17th to 22nd in 2026. Overall, it is the 33rd (of 72) microseason of the year. It is called Hawks Learn to Fly 鷹乃学習 (Taka sunawachi waza o narau). In this microseason, young hawks take their first brave flights.

The 72 microseasons were created to help people notice these subtle shifts in the natural world, the tiny signs that remind us nature is always in motion. This season sits within the broader rhythm of Japan's traditional seasonal calendar.  The heat has settled in by now, as we can truly see this year with the insufferable heat we have been experiencing in the last couple of days. 

Elsewhere in nature, summer grasses are lush, the lotus are in peak bloom, the cicadas calls are rising in some places, and the dragonflies are more active. In my local area, traditional lanterns are up at this time of year for the upcoming summer festival (see my next post!)