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READING — SEASON
The tea year turns with the old solar calendar. From Risshun to Daikan, a term-by-term guide to seasonal arrangements.
The 24 solar terms divide the year by the sun's path, and the tea room turns with them. There is no single correct pairing — but anticipating the season by half a step is the host's art. Here is the classic year, term by term.
立春
RISSHUN — spring begins
c. Feb 4
Spring on the calendar. February's grand hearth and the last of the New Year willow; camellia and a plum branch for the alcove.
雨水
USUI — snow to rain
c. Feb 19
Snow softens to rain. Dolls' festival motifs: shell-pair kōgō, peach-blossom bowls.
啓蟄
KEICHITSU — insects wake
c. Mar 6
The hanging kettle lifts the fire from the floor; spring-field motifs on the bowl.
春分
SHUNBUN — spring equinox
c. Mar 21
Equinox week. With Rikyū's memorial at month's end, a quiet, wabi arrangement suits.
清明
SEIMEI — clear and bright
c. Apr 5
Full cherry blossom. The sukigi kettle hides the fire; let sakura bowls and caddies bloom.
穀雨
KOKUU — grain rains
c. Apr 20
Rains for the seedlings. The hearth season closes, thoughts turn to the 88th-night new tea.
立夏
RIKKA — summer begins
c. May 6
First furo: the whole room refitted. Green maple motifs, half a year from the jar-opening.
小満
SHŌMAN — all things fill
c. May 21
New-tea season. Young-leaf motifs and a green bamboo lid rest, all freshness.
芒種
BŌSHU — grains sown
c. Jun 6
The rains arrive. Hydrangea and firefly motifs; utensils that enjoy the sound of rain.
夏至
GESHI — summer solstice
c. Jun 21
Longest day. A shallow bowl and a glass water jar — coolness for the eyes.
小暑
SHŌSHO — lesser heat
c. Jul 7
Tanabata. Mulberry-leaf lid trick (habuta) and star-festival motifs; morning tea begins.
大暑
TAISHO — greater heat
c. Jul 23
Peak heat. The famous-water and wrung-cloth procedures serve coolness itself.
立秋
RISSHŪN — autumn begins
c. Aug 8
Autumn on the calendar. Slip one autumn-grass motif in among the lingering heat.
処暑
SHOSHO — heat retreats
c. Aug 23
Insect voices. Musashino-plain motifs; pampas grass in gold on the caddy.
白露
HAKURO — white dew
c. Sep 8
Dew glints white. Moon motifs take the lead, earthy bowls carry the season.
秋分
SHŪBUN — autumn equinox
c. Sep 23
Harvest-moon weeks. The brazier moves to the mat's center (nakaoki), edging the fire toward the guests.
寒露
KANRO — cold dew
c. Oct 8
Dew turns cold. Nakaoki continues, with motifs of fruit and turning leaves.
霜降
SŌKŌ — first frost
c. Oct 23
The furo's farewell. A worn brazier and humble utensils — the year's most wabi tea.
立冬
RITTŌ — winter begins
c. Nov 7
Robiraki and the jar-opening: the tea person's New Year, toasted with sweet zenzai.
小雪
SHŌSETSU — light snow
c. Nov 22
First cold showers. Glossy-leaf and first-snow motifs; an Oribe shoe-shaped bowl shines.
大雪
TAISETSU — heavy snow
c. Dec 7
Deep winter, short days. Toward evening gatherings (yobanashi) by lamplight.
冬至
TŌJI — winter solstice
c. Dec 22
The sun turns. A yuzu kōgō wishes health; light returns from here.
小寒
SHŌKAN — lesser cold
c. Jan 6
Into the cold — and hatsugama, the first kettle: knotted willow and festive stacked bowls.
大寒
DAIKAN — greater cold
c. Jan 20
Coldest of all. A cylinder bowl and the wrung hot cloth hand warmth, steam and all, to the guest.
For the ro–furo changeover itself, see Ro & Furo Setup.