Summer Begins with the 24th Solar Term ‘Rikka’ on May 5th

“Tango” is the day of the horse at the beginning of the month, and since the sound of the letter “go” sounds like “five,” May 5 (lunar calendar) was finally established as the Tango. Rinn Festival.

In May according to the lunar calendar, many infectious diseases occurred due to the humidity of the rainy season, so on the first day of the evening in May, people used to decorate the eaves with irises, which are ‘ considered as a medicinal herb, including bath. baths of irises, and eating rice cakes with floating irises on them It is said that the practice of drinking alcohol began in ancient times. In this way, the evil spirit was banished.

Since the Edo period, Tango no Sekku has been seen as a festival for boys, as the irises are associated with “shobu” and “game.”

Streams of carp were then put up to pray for people’s success and good health, and champion dolls began to be displayed.

May 5 is also Children’s Day. It is one of the national holidays, and was established in 1948 with the purpose of “respecting the personalities of children, measuring their happiness, and thanking their mothers.” So, it can be said that it is a holiday for mothers.

Boys’ Day and Children’s Day are originally two different things, but both are now established as days of prayer for children to grow up healthy and happy.

It was established by the Japan Bird Conservation Federation, a public interest foundation for the protection of wild birds.

This period coincides with the breeding season of wild birds. When you walk through the green fields and fresh mountains, the sounds of wild birds often calm your soul.

The birds’ beautiful chirping is a courtship song, a declaration of territory, and a threat to rivals.

It may sound like a peaceful song, but wild birds are trying hard to survive in the harsh environment.

Flowers, birds, wind and moon. The term “flowers, birds, wind, and moon” was coined to represent these four beautiful landscapes of nature.

This shows that birds have colored the lives of Japanese people since ancient times, and have greatly influenced the creation of their emotions and feelings.

Just like our ancestors who loved birds, we want to watch them warmly.

They are said to be called fava beans because of the shape of their pods stretching towards the sky, and they are called silk beans because their pods resemble the cocoons of silkworms.

Broad beans are a great food rich in zinc, iron, protein, and B vitamins.

You can eat it traditionally by boiling it with salt, or use it in salads, soups, tempura, pasta dishes, etc. The taste of early summer will fill your mouth.

Ayako Hosomi, a haiku poet born in the second half of the Meiji era, wrote the following poem.

~ Fava beans have a very green flavor ~

Early summer is the season when the young leaves grow, and you may feel the smell of the young leaves in the wind blowing from the forest.

~Scent of a walk to the sea in sight~

This is a poem by Tateko Inabata, a haiku poet who died in February 2022.

The author’s easy to understand and casual words clearly show the author’s quick steps in the refreshing breeze towards the early summer ocean that stretches out in front of him.

Teiko Inabata is the daughter of Toshio Takahama and the granddaughter of Kyoshi Takahama, who were both haiku poets. He was also the honorary president of the haiku magazine “Hototogisu.”

The basic philosophy of the Hototogisu school is “kachofuuei,” which is to write nature and human affairs as they are. This phrase also has a focused and concise feel.

Depending on the area, the first day of summer is likely to be sunny, warm and refreshing. The peak of hay fever has passed and the days are pleasant.

It might be a good idea to go for a forest bath to catch the fresh scent of nature.
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