In the old Japanese calendar, which splits the year into 72 microseasons, mid-November is known as Chi hajimete koru, or “The ground starts to freeze”. This is when animals prepare for the cold of winter and the last harvests of the year are brought in. It is also a time of unparalleled beauty, when the landscapes retain their original autumn colors, but are encased in a pale layer of frost.

The National Diet Library has more in-depth information about the traditional Japanese calendar, its origins, and the relationship to the modern-day calendar. To learn more, please visit their site: https://www.ndl.go.jp/koyomi/e/