Jeepney Press / Alma Fatagani-Sato

RAINY SEASON in Japan

There are 2 (two) rainy seasons in Japan, namely:

1) Tsuyu 梅雨 (literally translated as plum rain), which starts around mid-June to end of July. During this season, the plums ripen and the season for plum picking begins, and as such, it was referred to as “plum rain”.

The original spelling for tsuyu was the Kanji黴雨 (which means mold rain). Since during this season, the humidity is quite high and therefore molds keep growing everywhere. But for poetical reasons, the Kanji 梅雨was preferred.

However, before the Muromachi period (1336-1573), it is known as nagame 長雨 (literally translated as long rain).

2) Akisame 秋雨 (literally translated as autumn rain), which starts around middle of September until the beginning of October.

Many people would think that during the rainy season, there is nothing really to look forward to when it comes to sightseeing. But in Japan, people are waiting for the rainy season to see the blooming hydrangeas (ajisai 紫陽花) and snails (katatsumori 蝸牛).

Hydrangeas can be found everywhere and anywhere around Japan. They come in many colors like pink, purple, blue, white and sometimes a combination of colors. They also come in many varieties. Although they usually are short-lived like the cherry blossoms of spring (which usually last for about only a week), their cheerful bright colors give joy and peace to everyone who looks at them.

Snails during the rainy season, a lot of the Japanese trapdoor snails come out. Some people may find it yucky since snails are practically slimy but others just enjoy looking at them while they move slowly.

Some people also enjoy making a small, has to be white doll shaped like a Buddhist priest or ghost (depending on how you would view it) often made of either a paper or a cloth called teruterubozu てるてる坊主. It is usually hanged by the window and children would pray on it for a fine weather. It is believed to ward-off the rain.

But for some who do not really like going out on a rainy day and view the blooming hydrangeas, visiting a museum or art galleries or even dipping in an indoor hot springs would certainly be a good option. For me, just relaxing at home reading my books, watching movies (either on TV or the net), or doing some handicrafts would be enough to spend a rainy day.

Alma Fatagani-Sato

Jeepney Press