A year of seasons: kisetsu in daily life
How the 72 micro-seasons still shape food, festivals, and design in Japan.
The traditional Japanese calendar divides the year into 72 micro-seasons (kō), each about five days long, each named for something specific happening in nature: 'east wind melts the ice', 'the mist starts to linger'.
You won't find these on a phone calendar, but they still shape seasonal menus, wagashi (sweets), and festival timing across Japan today.
It's a reminder that a year isn't just four seasons — it's dozens of small, specific moments if you're paying attention.