Shosho (小暑)
July 7 in 2023
Shosho (小暑) is the 11th of 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars.
The period leading up to the Taisyo (大暑 / Great Summer Heat, July 23, 2023) is also called Shosho.
Shosho (小暑) means minor heat.
This is when the end of the rainy season is approaching, the heat is in full swing, and the cicadas begin to sing.
The period between Shosho (小暑. July 7) or Taisyo (大暑 / Major Summer, July 23) and Risshū (立秋 / The start of Autumn) is called Shōchū (暑中 / mid-summer on the calendar), and people send Shōchū-mimai (暑中見舞い / postcards or letters offering best wishes for the hot season) to their friends and relatives.
At the end of Shosho is the start of the doyo (土用 / midsummer) period.
This year, the summer Doyo (summer season) starts on July 20.
(Related article)
24 Sekki / 24節気
~ 24 Divisions of The Solar Year; 24 Terms Used to Denote The Changing of The Seasons ~
Category : 24 Divisions of The Solar Year , Japanese Culture , text @en
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