From Dec 22, 2026 to Dec 26, 2026, the corresponding solar term in the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) is 冬至(Touji), and the corresponding microseason in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is 乃東生(Natsukarekusa shozu).

What Is “Natsukarekusa shozu” (乃東生)?

"Natsukarekusa Shōzu" (乃東生) is one of the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons), Japan's traditional seasonal calendar. It is the first microseason of the winter solstice (冬至, Tōji) period and typically falls between around December 22 and December 26 each year. The term "乃東" (natsukarekusa) is an old name for Prunella vulgaris (ウツボグサ), a plant in the mint family. Because it withers during the summer, it is also known as "夏枯草" (natsukarekusa, “summer-withered grass”). Despite its association with summer decline, it is remarkable for being one of the first plants to sprout around the time of the winter solstice. Thus, "Natsukarekusa Shōzu" literally refers to the season when this plant begins to send up new shoots. The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. At the very beginning of the harsh winter season, when nature appears still and dormant, the quiet emergence of fresh shoots from Prunella vulgaris has long been regarded as a symbol of a profound natural truth: that within the deepest yin (陰), the first stirrings of yang (陽) are already being born. The Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is a uniquely Japanese system that divides each of the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) into three smaller periods of roughly five days each. Through careful observation of plants, animals, and weather patterns, it captures the subtle transitions of the seasons in remarkable detail. Among these microseasons, "Natsukarekusa Shōzu" is especially evocative, marking not only the deepening of winter but also the earliest hint of spring's return—a season filled with quiet hope. Although opportunities to encounter Prunella vulgaris in everyday life have become less common today, taking a moment during this time of year to reflect on the fact that life is already beginning to stir beneath the surface may offer a fresh perspective on the winter landscape.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons