From Jun 6, 2026 to Jun 10, 2026, the corresponding solar term in the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) is 芒種(Bousyu), and the corresponding microseason in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is 螳螂生(Kamakiri shozu).

What Is “Kamakiri shozu” (螳螂生)?

"Kamakiri Shōzu" (螳螂生) is one of the seasonal markers in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons), Japan's traditional calendar system that delicately expresses the changing seasons. It is the first microseason of "Bōshu" (芒種, Grain in Ear) within the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms), and typically falls between around June 5 and June 9 each year. The phrase literally means "the time when praying mantises are born." In early summer, tiny praying mantis nymphs begin to emerge from the eggs laid the previous autumn. Although newly hatched, they already resemble fully formed mantises and can soon be seen actively moving through grass fields and gardens. Their lively appearance evokes both the strength of life and the vibrant energy of nature as it moves toward summer. Praying mantises have long been regarded in Japan as beneficial insects because they protect crops by feeding on pests, making them familiar companions in everyday life. The expression "Kamakiri Shōzu" reflects a uniquely Japanese sensitivity toward noticing and appreciating the birth of even the smallest forms of life in nature. The Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is a traditional Japanese calendar that describes subtle changes in nature and living creatures in roughly five-day intervals. In today's busy world, seasonal expressions such as "Kamakiri Shōzu" offer an opportunity to pause and reconnect with the small changes in the natural world and the gentle progression of the seasons.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons