Summer Rises

In Japan, the four principal seasons are the same as the rest of the world - spring, summer, autumn and winter. And like almost every other country in the Northern Hemisphere, spring is March to May, summer is June to August, autumn is September to November, and winter is December to February.

However, like China and other Asian countries, Japan also uses 24 Solar Terms. And in the solar terms, May 5th (in 2026) marks the start of "Rikka", which is "Summer Rises" or "Beginning of Summer" in English. It continues to May 20th. It is the seventh of the 24 solar terms. The solar term is broken down further three micro seasons too, each which describe the changes that can be seen in nature.

Beginning of Summer 立夏 Rikka shows an onset of warmer days and bright sunshine. At this time, the hototogisu, the Lesser Cuckoo, announces summer with its song. Just like the uguisu, the Japanese Bush Warbler, announces spring. The paddy fields are filled with water. Farmers who haven't already, will plant rice, but you can also see sprouts in rice fields that have already been planted. As per the photo in this post. In nature, frogs emerge and there is an abundance of flowers and growth.