From Dec 27, 2026 to Dec 31, 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 麋角解(Sawashika no tsuno otsuru).

What Is “Sawashika no tsuno otsuru” (麋角解)?

"Sawashika no Tsuno Otsuru (麋角解, Antlers Fall from the Moose)" is one of the "Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons)", Japan's traditional system of seasonal divisions. It is the second microseason following the "winter solstice" (冬至, Tōji), corresponding roughly to the period from "December 26 to December 31", coinciding with the final days of the year. The "Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons)" is an ancient Japanese calendar that divides the year into 72 finely nuanced seasonal periods. Through observations of plants, animals, and natural phenomena, it captures the subtle transitions of the seasons. Among these microseasons, "Sawashika no Tsuno Otsuru" is known as a marker of winter's deepening. The term "Sawashika" (麋) refers to the "moose", a large member of the deer family. "Tsuno otsuru" (角解) means "to shed antlers." Thus, "Sawashika no Tsuno Otsuru" literally means "the time when moose shed their antlers in winter." Because deer antlers are shed and regrown each year, people in ancient times carefully observed such changes in animals as a way of tracking the progression of the seasons. While the "Japanese deer (Nihonjika)" (鹿) commonly found in modern Japan typically shed their antlers in spring, the "moose (Herajika)" (麋) was believed to shed its antlers in winter. This microseason reflects that characteristic behavior and uses it as a sign of the season. During this period, as the old year gives way to the new, nature is already quietly preparing for the season ahead. By becoming familiar with the term "Sawashika no Tsuno Otsuru", we can gain a deeper appreciation of the sensitive awareness with which our ancestors observed the natural world, finding traces of their perspective in the landscapes of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. *Note: The Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) are subdivisions of the "Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms)", a traditional East Asian seasonal calendar system based on the sun's annual cycle.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons