Today begins a new microseason! If this is your first time joining us, scroll down past the forecast to read about what exactly a microseason is. For the rest of you, let’s jump in!
Today, March 6th, begins Keisatsu (啓蟄), the 3rd solar term (節気, sekki), which means Insects Wake Up.
The ground is warming, enough that the creatures that have hibernated underground are starting to wake up. In China it was once said that the first thunderstorm was around now and that wakes up the creatures.
In Japan I don’t think we are getting any thunderstorms for awhile yet, but the old meaning stays with us.
Keisatsu lasts until March 20th.
Today, March 6th, begins 蟄虫啓戸, the 7th microseason (候, kō) which is read sugomo mushito o hiraku and means Hibernating Insects Come Out. This is the first microseason of Keisatsu, which is itself the 3rd solar term of spring.
In addition to the bugs waking up, people are too! This is the time when we gaze out the windows at the sunny weather and it temps us to go outside, take walks, enjoy the waking nature, and enjoying the more and more mild breeze.
Unfortunately most cheap wasabi you find in sushi shops and stores is not really wasabi, but horseradish died green. Sometimes at the stores this is labeled “Western wasabi”, but not always. Real wasabi is fairly expensive, so you aren’t likely to find it unless you go to higher-priced places. If you’ve never tried the real stuff, it is really good. It loses it’s flavor really fast though, within 15 minutes, so best to consume quickly after grating it.
As with many traditional Japanese foods, it won’t surprise you to hear it is quite healthy. It has antibacterial effects, which may be one of the reasons it was originally used with sushi—to kill any parasites present. IN addition, it helps control inflammation. It has also been shown to have some anti-cancer properties in various studies. All great reasons to add it to your diet!
Here is a haiku for this microseason:
Yama yaki is an old custom of setting fire to the old dead weeds on the mountains to make way for new growth. The most famous yama yaki ritual took place in Nara on Mt Wakakusa on the 11th day of the second month (around the first week of March on the modern calendar). It dates to the Karakura period (1192–1333). These days they actually moved this event up instead of back, changing it to the fourth Saturday in January.
Will move this info to another post one of these days, but for now, briefly:
The next microseason starts on March 11th. See you then for the next forecast!
| David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku. |
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