What Is 72 Seasons?
The four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—are called 四季 (Shiki) in Japanese.
Each of the four seasons is further divided into six parts, making a total of 24 Solar Terms, known as 二十四節気 (Nijūshi Sekki).
The 24 Solar Terms are further divided into approximately five-day intervals, dividing the year into 72 periods called 七十二候 (Shichijūni-kō), commonly known in English as the 72 Seasons or the 72 Japanese Microseasons.
The names of the 72 Seasons are short poetic phrases that describe seasonal changes in nature, including the behavior of animals and the growth of plants.
Each of the four seasons is further divided into six parts, making a total of 24 Solar Terms, known as 二十四節気 (Nijūshi Sekki).
The 24 Solar Terms are further divided into approximately five-day intervals, dividing the year into 72 periods called 七十二候 (Shichijūni-kō), commonly known in English as the 72 Seasons or the 72 Japanese Microseasons.
The names of the 72 Seasons are short poetic phrases that describe seasonal changes in nature, including the behavior of animals and the growth of plants.
List of 72 Seasons
| 4 Seasons | 24 Seasons | 72 Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 立春 (Risshun) | |
| 雨水 (Usui) | ||
| 啓蟄 (Keichitsu) | ||
| 春分 (Shunbun) | ||
| 清明 (Seimei) | ||
| 穀雨 (Kokuu) | ||
| Summer | 立夏 (Rikka) | |
| 小満 (Shouman) | ||
| 芒種 (Boushu) | ||
| 夏至 (Geshi) | ||
| 小暑 (Shousho) | ||
| 大暑 (Taisho) | ||
| Autumn | 立秋 (Risshuu) | |
| 処暑 (Shosho) | ||
| 白露 (Hakuro) | ||
| 秋分 (Shuubun) | ||
| 寒露 (Kanro) | ||
| 霜降 (Soukou) | ||
| Winter | 立冬 (Rittou) | |
| 小雪 (Shousetsu) | ||
| 大雪 (Taisetsu) | ||
| 冬至 (Touji) | ||
| 小寒 (Shoukan) | ||
| 大寒 (Daikan) | ||
Calculation of Japan's 72 Seasons
On this website, the dates of the 24 Solar Terms are calculated using the following approximate formula. Then, each Solar Term is divided into three periods, and each period is used as one of the 72 Seasons.
[Day] = INT(D + (A * ((Year - M) - 1900)) - INT(((Year - M) - 1900) / 4))
* Enter the Gregorian calendar year to calculate in Year.
* Enter the constants shown in the table below for D, A, and M.
[Day] = INT(D + (A * ((Year - M) - 1900)) - INT(((Year - M) - 1900) / 4))
* Enter the Gregorian calendar year to calculate in Year.
* Enter the constants shown in the table below for D, A, and M.
| Month | 24 Solar Terms | D | A | M |
|---|
Since there is no officially established calculation method for the 72 Seasons, please note that the displayed dates may differ from those found in other references or websites.