And here is your daily almanac for Thursday the twenty-third of February 2023.

Today in 1960 Japanese Emperor Naruhito was born. As such, today is a national holiday. I've already written about this event if you are curious to read more. This year is the 4th year of his reign, but the media has been following him all his life, so the public is pretty familiar with him. So far he seems like a pretty nice guy, something of a copy of his father who was (and still is) very popular.

Today, in 1646, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was born. He would go on to rule as the 5th shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. His life was pretty interesting and there were some big events in it, so let's take a brief look.

He was the ninth son of Iemitsu, the 3rd Tokugawa shogun and was not expected to become shogun as his older brother Ietsuna was the designated heir and was expected to live a long life. He set himself off as full of ambition at a young age and his father, in fact, was fearful that he might do something to his brothers so he ordered that Tsunayoshi not be trained as a samurai but instead as a scholar. However, in 1680 Ietsuna suddenly died at the young age of 38 and Tsunayoshi was picked as the next in line.

Probably his most well-known accomplishment was his animal protection laws. He declared that all dogs were sacred beings and made it a serious crime to harm them. I've never seen mention if he was a dog lover or not, but he must have been. His stated goal with these protection laws, anyway, was to promote compassion and proper moral behavior in society.

Animal protection wasn't the only of his edicts designed at improving the moral behavior of his people. He also banned prostitution, gambling, and even begging; he even went as far as banning rare and expensive fabric. He was a strict Buddhist and this may have influenced his decisions. He also established many hospitals and orphanages.

Towards the end of his life he became increasingly unpopular. Despite some of his altruistic actions, he also hosted lavish banquets and was known as a womanizer. He became increasingly isolated due to his actions.

^{"Red Fuji" by Hokusai}

In 1706 Edo was hit by a large typhoon and Mt Fugi erupted the following year. To a superstitious public that was already turning against him, these things just increased his unpopularity. He died not long after, in 1709. The cause of his death is not entirely clear. Some accounts say he killed himself to avoid being forced to abdicate. Other accounts say he died of illness. Historians don't suspect any foul play, but it can't be ruled out.

Today is Taian (大安), one of the rokuyō, the Buddhist horoscope. This is a fitting day for the emperor's birthday—Taian is considered the luckiest day of the calendar. It is best for weddings, special events, and grand store openings.

(Read more about the rokuyō here)

^{Kannonji Temple in Beppu by Hasui}

On the old calendar, today would have been the fourth day of the second month (旧暦2023/2/4). It is Rain Moistens the Soil (uchi no shō uruoi okoru, 土脉潤起), the first microseason of Usui (雨水). This is the time when snow is starting to turn into rain as the weather grows warmer. This rain starts to moisten both air and ground and thaw the ground which has been frozen all winter. In some areas of Japan the plum blossoms may be starting to appear. The hibernating animals are starting to stir.

Here's a haiku from Ransetsu:

梅一輪いちりんほどの暖かさ
ume ichirin ichirin hodo no atatakasa

one plum blossom
means one step closer
to warmth

^{Looking at Plum Blossoms - Imayo Bijin}

Everyone is so tired of winter by this point and so looking forward to spring that every single blossom that blooms is seized upon as hope that spring is that much closer. Ah—a blossom! It must be getting warmer! In the old days before better heating they would have been that much more anxious for warm weather to finally arrive, but even today most of us are ready for the cold weather to be over.

Have a good day, everyone. Hope some luck comes to you today. It is taian, after all!

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

❦

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.