From Jan 5, 2026 to Jan 9, 2026, the corresponding solar term in the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) is 小寒(Shoukan), and the corresponding microseason in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is 芹乃栄(Seri sunawachi sakau).

What Is “Seri sunawachi sakau” (芹乃栄)?

"Seri Sunawachi Sakau" (芹乃栄, "Parsley Flourishes") is one of the seasonal markers in "Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons)", Japan's traditional calendar system. It is the first microseason of "Shōkan" (小寒, "Lesser Cold"), one of the "Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms)". This period typically falls between January 5 and January 9 each year, when winter's chill deepens and water dropwort (芹, "seri") begins to grow vigorously despite the cold. "Seri" is a herb best known as one of the "Seven Spring Herbs" (春の七草, "Haru no Nanakusa"). It grows naturally along streams, ponds, and other moist areas. Its ability to thrive even in the harshest winter conditions has long made it a symbol of resilience and vitality, quietly embodying the life force that persists beneath winter's stillness. "Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons)" is a uniquely Japanese way of dividing the year into 72 finely observed seasonal periods. Each of the "Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms)" is further divided into three microseasons, each named after a subtle change in nature or the behavior of plants and animals. "Seri Sunawachi Sakau" captures the moment when nature begins to stir gently with the arrival of the new year. Even today, the "72 microseasons" continue to attract growing interest among people who appreciate Japanese traditional culture and seasonal living. During "Seri Sunawachi Sakau", the custom of eating "nanakusa-gayu" (七草粥, seven-herb rice porridge) also takes place, with "seri" as one of its key ingredients. This tradition offers a glimpse into the richness of Japanese culture, where food and the seasonal calendar are closely intertwined. As you imagine the delicate green leaves of "seri" quietly spreading along the water's edge in the clear winter air, perhaps this is an opportunity to bring a touch of Japan's refined sensitivity to the seasons into your own daily life.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons