[Twenty-Four Solar Terms] (Summer) Taisho (Major Heat)
Major Heat 23rd Day《 ※》
(Around July 23rd to August 6th)
The season when the heat is at its peak.
※ This year it is July 22nd.
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Paulownia flowers begin to bloom, the earth is damp and humid, and heavy rain falls at times.
Paulownia flowers begin to bloom
The earth is damp and humid
Heavy rain falls at times
Rotten grass turns into fireflies, the earth is damp and humid, and heavy rain falls at times.
Rotten grass turns into fireflies
The earth is damp and humid
Heavy rain falls at times
When rotten grass becomes fireflies,
The earth is damp and the heat is humid,
And evening showers fall.
In the sixth month, the old yang energy presses in, and the heat is extreme. Therefore, it is called Major Heat.
The phrase 'rotten grass turns into fireflies' means that in the sixth month, two yin energies have already emerged, and the interaction of yin and yang energies steams the rotten grass, turning it into fireflies.
The phrase 'the earth is damp and the heat is humid' means that yin energy is generated underground, and the earth, which had been dried by the summer yang fire until now, becomes moist. 'Jokusho' (humid heat) is read as 'aburaderi' (greasy heat). It refers to the yin energy underground being steamed by the fire of the old yang, like dew forming on a steamer, causing the sky to become overcast and the heat to feel heavy and humid.
The phrase 'heavy rain falls at times' means that during the Major Heat period, mountain energy triggers heavy rain, and evening showers occur from time to time, helping to nurture the plants and trees.
Annual Events for Farmers: Major Heat
It is fine to sow radishes until around the beginning of autumn, and spinach until the White Dew period. You should stop the growth of cotton. It is time to start picking tobacco leaves.
You should remove insects from fruits.
You should collect seaweed to use as fertilizer.
※ 'Hōren' refers to spinach.
Sweetfish swimming in schools
※ 'Kōgyo' (fragrant fish) refers to the ayu (sweetfish).
* "Hibiscus" refers to the rose of Sharon.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections "New Selection of the Seventy-Two Seasons"
Illustrated Album of Famous Flowers: Major Heat
* "Matsurinka" refers to jasmine. A type of jasmine.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections "Illustrated Album of Famous Flowers of the Seventy-Two Seasons, Volume 1"
* "Sokei" refers to a type of jasmine.
Seal Collection: Major Heat
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections "Collection of Seals for the Seventy-Two Seasons"
References: "Daily Handbook", "Essentials of Letter Writing, Volume 1, Revised 3rd Edition", "Koji Ruien, Volume 2", "Kojirin, Newly Revised Edition", "Jintsu Happi: Kyuten Kyokuchi", "Tenmon Unkijutsu: Ichimei Tenchijin Sando Gokui (Four Seasons Climate)", "Japanese Regional Agricultural Calendar: Also known as Annual Events for Farmers", "Manreki Sanseiso: Eidai Zassho", "Climate Guide", "Meiji Sanjikyō: Simple Elementary School Textbook" (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
● indicates characters that could not be deciphered, and □ indicates characters that cannot be displayed on a computer. I will update this as I decipher new characters or notice typos and misreadings. For more details, please read the "Self-Introduction / Disclaimer" section. 📖