From Jul 17, 2026 to Jul 22, 2026, the corresponding solar term in the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms) is 小暑(Shousho), and the corresponding microseason in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons) is 鷹乃学習(Taka sunawachi waza wo narau).

What Is “Taka sunawachi waza wo narau” (鷹乃学習)?

"Taka sunawachi waza wo narau" (鷹乃学習) is one of Japan's traditional seasonal markers in the Shichijūni Kō (72 microseasons), occurring each year around July 18 to July 22. Within the Nijūshi Sekki (24 solar terms), it corresponds to the final microseason of "Shōsho" (小暑, "Minor Heat"). The Shichijūni Kō is a traditional calendar that divides the year into 72 finely observed seasonal phases, and "Taka sunawachi waza wo narau" is the 33rd of these periods. The phrase literally refers to "the time when young hawks begin learning their skills." Hawk chicks born in spring have now grown enough to start learning how to fly from their parents, and this image gave rise to the name of the season. The use of the word "gakushū" (学習, "learning") suggests more than instinctive flight. It conveys the idea of repeated practice and the gradual mastering of technique. The expression reflects the keen sensitivity with which people in old Japan observed nature, recognizing that even in the natural world there is a process of learning and growth. This period marks the beginning of full summer and the approach of the end of the rainy season. Amid the lingering heat and humidity, the sight of young hawks spreading their wings powerfully across the sky symbolizes the freshness and vitality of summer. In the worlds of haiku and waka poetry, hawks have long been cherished as a summer seasonal motif representing dignity, nobility, and strength. Even today, the Shichijūni Kō continues to influence seasonal customs and greetings in Japan, and "Taka sunawachi waza wo narau" is sometimes spoken of as a symbol of children's growth and the beginning of new challenges. As young hawks learn to leave the nest during this season, it can also be a meaningful time to reflect on one's own learning and personal growth — one of the uniquely Japanese ways of appreciating the changing seasons.

List of Japan’s 72 Microseasons