The 24 Solar Terms & Tea Utensils | Cerendipity

THE TURNING YEAR 一年のめぐり

The 24 sekki divide the solar year into two-week seasons, and the tea room turns with them. There is no single right answer in choosing utensils — but a tea person keeps half a step ahead of the season. Here is the whole year: the flowers, the poetic names carved on tea scoops, and the bowls and caddies that suit each term.

RONov–Apr FUROMay–Oct NAGORIthe turning weeks

SPRING

立春

RISSHUN — spring begins

c. Feb 4

Spring on the calendar. February brings the great hearth; winter’s last breath and the first hint of spring share one room.

Flowers: White camellia, looped willow, narcissus
Scoop names: Hatsune (first birdsong) / Kochi (east wind) / Wakamidori (young green)
Bowl: Still deep, but easing open. White glaze or crawled kairagi glaze catches the new light.
Caddy motifs: Pine-bamboo-plum, butterbur bud, seigaiha waves — formal motifs still suit.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stFeb 4–8

東風解凍Harukaze kōri o toku

The east wind begins to melt the thick ice.

2ndFeb 9–13

黄鶯睍睆Uguisu naku

The bush warbler’s first song sounds in the hills.

3rdFeb 14–18

魚上氷Uo kōri o izuru

Fish leap through cracks in the ice.

雨水

USUI — snow turns to rain

c. Feb 19

Snow softens into rain. The Dolls’ Festival arrives, and shell-pair incense boxes charm the room.

Flowers: Plum, pussy willow, andromeda (asebi)
Scoop names: Mizu nurumu (water warms) / Shitamoe (shoots below) / Harugasumi (spring haze)
Bowl: Shino’s white ground with a blush of red; peach painting suits the Dolls’ season.
Caddy motifs: Plum blossom, thawing snow, standing dolls — pale maki-e shines here.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stFeb 19–23

土脉潤起Tsuchi no shō uruoi okoru

Rain softens the earth and life begins to stir.

2ndFeb 24–28

霞始靆Kasumi hajimete tanabiku

Mist begins to trail across the far hills.

3rdMar 1–5

草木萌動Sōmoku mebae izuru

Grass and trees put out their first shoots.

啓蟄

KEICHITSU — insects wake

c. Mar 6

Creatures stir from the earth. The hanging kettle lifts the fire off the mat and sways with the season.

Flowers: Corylopsis, spiraea, rape blossom
Scoop names: Meharu-yanagi (budding willow) / Yama warau (the hills smile) / Sawarabi (young bracken)
Bowl: Oribe’s green glaze — the meadow’s first flush, held in the hand.
Caddy motifs: Bracken fronds, young grass, distant hills — the motifs of budding.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stMar 6–10

蟄虫啓戸Sugomori mushi to o hiraku

Insects open their doors and leave the soil.

2ndMar 11–15

桃始笑Momo hajimete saku

Peach buds open — the old word for it is “laugh.”

3rdMar 16–20

菜虫化蝶Namushi chō to naru

Caterpillars become cabbage-white butterflies.

春分

SHUNBUN — spring equinox

c. Mar 21

Day and night in balance. With Rikyū’s memorial at month’s end, a quiet, wabi arrangement suits.

Flowers: Magnolia, equinox cherry, spiraea
Scoop names: Higan (the equinox week) / Hana-akari (blossom glow) / Nodoka (serene)
Bowl: Brushed-slip or kohiki white, warmed by the faintest cherry tint.
Caddy motifs: Cherry, butterfly, hazy moon — and rafts of fallen petals.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stMar 21–25

雀始巣Suzume hajimete sukuu

Sparrows begin to build their nests.

2ndMar 26–30

桜始開Sakura hajimete hiraku

The cherry blossom begins to open.

3rdMar 31–Apr 4

雷乃発声Kaminari sunawachi koe o hassu

Distant spring thunder is heard.

清明

SEIMEI — clear and bright

c. Apr 5

All things turn clear and bright. The sukigi kettle hides the fire so the cherry blossom can hold the room.

Flowers: Kerria, flowering quince, gentian-aster
Scoop names: Hanagoromo (blossom robe) / Seimei / Harukaze (spring wind)
Bowl: Karatsu’s mottled madara. For outdoor tea, keep many spare bowls at hand.
Caddy motifs: Petal rafts, swallows, kerria — the showpiece season for gold maki-e.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stApr 5–9

玄鳥至Tsubame kitaru

Swallows return from the south.

2ndApr 10–14

鴻雁北Kōgan kaeru

Wild geese fly north again.

3rdApr 15–19

虹始見Niji hajimete arawaru

Rainbows begin to appear after rain.

穀雨

KOKUU — grain rains

LAST RO

c. Apr 20

Spring rain feeds the fields. The hearth season closes; thoughts turn to the 88th-night new tea.

Flowers: Peony, wisteria, fringed iris (shaga)
Scoop names: Harusame (spring rain) / Ryokuu (green rain) / Sekishun (spring regretted)
Bowl: Ido’s loquat-gold. Warmth for the hearth’s final weeks.
Caddy motifs: Wisteria, rape seed, rain dragon — softer, damper motifs.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stApr 20–24

葭始生Ashi hajimete shōzu

Reeds send up shoots at the water’s edge.

2ndApr 25–29

霜止出苗Shimo yande nae izuru

Frost ends and rice seedlings grow.

3rdApr 30–May 4

牡丹華Botan hana saku

Peonies open their great blooms.

SUMMER

立夏

RIKKA — summer begins

FURO

c. May 6

The first brazier. The whole room is refitted and the fire moves away from the guests — the year’s halfway turn.

Flowers: Gentian-aster, clematis, white kerria
Scoop names: Kunpū (fragrant breeze) / Hatsu-buro (first brazier) / Wakakaede (young maple)
Bowl: Now the shallow bowl. Celadon and blue-and-white read as cool.
Caddy motifs: Young leaves, flowing water, iris — the motifs are refreshed entirely.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stMay 5–9

蛙始鳴Kawazu hajimete naku

Frogs begin to call across the paddies.

2ndMay 10–14

蚯蚓出Mimizu izuru

Earthworms surface from the soil.

3rdMay 15–20

竹笋生Takenoko shōzu

Bamboo shoots break through the ground.

小満

SHŌMAN — all things fill

FURO

c. May 21

Everything comes to fullness. New-tea season, and a green bamboo lid rest looks freshly cut.

Flowers: Deutzia, lacecap hydrangea, campanula
Scoop names: Unohana (deutzia) / Seiran (green squall) / Shincha (new tea)
Bowl: Brushed white slip — the colour of young leaves answered in the tea.
Caddy motifs: Deutzia, green maple, rice seedlings — white against green.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stMay 21–25

蚕起食桑Kaiko okite kuwa o hamu

Silkworms wake and feed hungrily on mulberry.

2ndMay 26–30

紅花栄Benibana sakau

Safflower blooms across the fields.

3rdMay 31–Jun 5

麦秋至Mugi no toki itaru

Barley ripens gold — “the barley autumn.”

芒種

BŌSHU — grain in ear

FURO

c. Jun 6

Rice is planted and the rains arrive. Choose utensils that enjoy the sound of water.

Flowers: Hangeshō, campanula, hosta
Scoop names: Sanae (rice seedlings) / Hotaru (firefly) / Minazuki
Bowl: Painted Karatsu, shallow — a glaze that bleeds like rain on paper.
Caddy motifs: Fireflies, seedlings, ripples — good for an evening gathering too.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stJun 6–10

螳螂生Kamakiri shōzu

Mantises hatch from their egg cases.

2ndJun 11–15

腐草為蛍Kusaretaru kusa hotaru to naru

Rotting grass was once believed to turn into fireflies.

3rdJun 16–20

梅子黄Ume no mi kibamu

Plums ripen yellow — said to name the plum rains.

夏至

GESHI — summer solstice

FURO

c. Jun 21

The longest day. Everything is chosen to look cool.

Flowers: Hydrangea, hangeshō, the first bellflowers
Scoop names: Mijikayo (short night) / Aota (green paddy) / Seiryū (clear stream)
Bowl: A shallow bowl, or glass. Coolness comes from the width of the well.
Caddy motifs: Hydrangea, janome umbrella, kanze water-swirls.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stJun 21–26

乃東枯Natsu-karekusa karuru

Self-heal alone withers in the heat of summer.

2ndJun 27–Jul 1

菖蒲華Ayame hana saku

Irises come into flower.

3rdJul 2–6

半夏生Hange shōzu

Crow-dipper sprouts — the mark for finishing the planting.

小暑

SHŌSHO — lesser heat

FURO

c. Jul 7

Tanabata. The leaf-lid procedure brings a breath of cool, and dawn tea gatherings begin.

Flowers: Rose of Sharon, bellflower, star lily
Scoop names: Amanogawa (Milky Way) / Sasa no ha (bamboo leaf) / Ryōfū (cool wind)
Bowl: A morning-glory-shaped shallow bowl; white ware for dawn tea.
Caddy motifs: Tanabata, bamboo grass, stars — even the paper-strip motif reads cool.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stJul 7–11

温風至Atsukaze itaru

The wind begins to carry heat.

2ndJul 12–16

蓮始開Hasu hajimete hiraku

Lotus flowers open at daybreak.

3rdJul 17–22

鷹乃学習Taka sunawachi waza o narau

Young hawks learn to fly.

大暑

TAISHO — greater heat

FURO

c. Jul 23

Peak heat. The famous-water and rinsed-cloth procedures make water itself the treat.

Flowers: Lotus, rose of Sharon, thread grass
Scoop names: Taki (waterfall) / Seiryō (pure cool) / Semi-shigure (cicada rain)
Bowl: A glass bowl. The rinsed-cloth procedure lets the guests hear the water.
Caddy motifs: Flowing water, lotus, waterfall — silver maki-e feels coolest.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stJul 23–28

桐始結花Kiri hajimete hana o musubu

Paulownia sets next year’s flower buds.

2ndJul 29–Aug 2

土潤溽暑Tsuchi uruōte mushiatsushi

The ground is damp and the air at its most humid.

3rdAug 3–7

大雨時行Taiu tokidoki ni furu

Heavy showers fall from time to time.

AUTUMN

立秋

RISSHŪ — autumn begins

FURO

c. Aug 8

Autumn on the calendar. Slipping one autumn grass in among the lingering heat is the elegant move.

Flowers: Bellflower, golden lace (ominaeshi), hibiscus
Scoop names: Shoshū (early autumn) / Zansho (lingering heat) / Aki no koe (autumn’s voice)
Bowl: Still a shallow bowl, but earth-toned — autumn arrives in the clay.
Caddy motifs: Autumn grasses, bush clover, dewy grass — a half-step ahead of the season.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stAug 8–12

涼風至Suzukaze itaru

A faint coolness enters the wind.

2ndAug 13–17

寒蝉鳴Higurashi naku

Evening cicadas call at dawn and dusk.

3rdAug 18–22

蒙霧升降Fukaki kiri matou

Thick mists rise and settle.

処暑

SHOSHO — heat retreats

FURO

c. Aug 23

The heat withdraws and insect voices take the lead.

Flowers: Bush clover, pampas grass, mizuhiki
Scoop names: Tsuyu suzushi (cool dew) / Hatsu-hagi (first clover) / Mushi no ne (insect song)
Bowl: Hagi ware’s loquat tone — a bowl that ripens with use.
Caddy motifs: Clover, pampas, the Musashino plain drawn in gold and silver.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stAug 23–27

綿柎開Wata no hanashibe hiraku

The calyx sheathing the cotton boll opens.

2ndAug 28–Sep 1

天地始粛Tenchi hajimete samushi

Heaven and earth begin at last to cool.

3rdSep 2–7

禾乃登Kokumono sunawachi minoru

The rice ripens and the ears bow down.

白露

HAKURO — white dew

FURO

c. Sep 8

Dew glints white on the grass. Moon motifs take the lead.

Flowers: Pampas grass, bellflower, boneset (fujibakama)
Scoop names: Hakuro (white dew) / Hatsukari (first geese) / Geppaku (moon-white)
Bowl: Deepening again. Kohiki and brushed slip bring back the taste of earth.
Caddy motifs: Dewy grass, moon, wild geese — one silver moon is enough.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stSep 8–12

草露白Kusa no tsuyu shiroshi

Dew on the grass glitters white.

2ndSep 13–17

鶺鴒鳴Sekirei naku

Wagtails begin to call.

3rdSep 18–22

玄鳥去Tsubame saru

The swallows depart for the south.

秋分

SHŪBUN — autumn equinox

NAKAOKI

c. Sep 23

Harvest-moon weeks. The brazier moves to the mat’s centre (nakaoki), edging the fire toward the guests.

Flowers: Hardy begonia, gentian, mizuhiki
Scoop names: Tsukikage (moonlight) / Toyo no aki (abundant autumn) / Chigusa (thousand grasses)
Bowl: Karatsu or kohiki — a still, quiet well that could hold the moon.
Caddy motifs: Moon-rabbit, pampas, the seven autumn grasses.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stSep 23–27

雷乃収声Kaminari sunawachi koe o osamu

Thunder falls silent and the sky clears.

2ndSep 28–Oct 2

蟄虫坏戸Mushi kakurete to o fusagu

Insects shut their doors in the earth.

3rdOct 3–7

水始涸Mizu hajimete karuru

The paddies are drained ready for harvest.

寒露

KANRO — cold dew

NAKAOKI

c. Oct 8

The dew turns cold. Motifs move to fruit and turning leaves.

Flowers: Japanese anemone, toad lily, wild chrysanthemum
Scoop names: Nagori (what remains) / Usosamu (a touch cold) / Ki no mi (nuts and berries)
Bowl: A rain-stained amamori bowl or split foot — wabi landscapes to savour.
Caddy motifs: Nuts, chrysanthemum, the torn bag — worn motifs suit this month.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stOct 8–12

鴻雁来Kōgan kitaru

Wild geese arrive from the north.

2ndOct 13–17

菊花開Kiku no hana hiraku

Chrysanthemums come into bloom.

3rdOct 18–22

蟋蟀在戸Kirigirisu to ni ari

Crickets sing at the doorway.

霜降

SŌKŌ — frost falls

NAGORI

c. Oct 23

The brazier’s farewell. A broken brazier on a small board: the year’s most austere tea.

Flowers: Turning leaves, wild chrysanthemum, boneset
Scoop names: Nagori no tsuki (parting moon) / Hatsushimo (first frost) / Yama yosou (hills adorned)
Bowl: Even a mended bowl counts as landscape now — wabi at its deepest.
Caddy motifs: Fallen leaves, ivy, frost — well-worn lacquer is exactly right.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stOct 23–27

霜始降Shimo hajimete furu

The first frost falls.

2ndOct 28–Nov 1

霎時施Kosame tokidoki furu

Brief showers pass through.

3rdNov 2–6

楓蔦黄Momiji tsuta kibamu

Maple and ivy turn colour.

WINTER

立冬

RITTŌ — winter begins

c. Nov 7

Hearth-opening and the jar-cutting gathering: the tea person’s New Year. A new tea jar is broached and sweet zenzai served.

Flowers: Wabisuke camellia, turning leaves, sasanqua
Scoop names: Kuchikiri (jar cutting) / I-no-ko (boar day) / Kairo (hearth opened)
Bowl: To the deep cylinder bowl. Raku’s warmth becomes something you long for.
Caddy motifs: Pine, evergreen, the treasure motifs — formal designs for a formal day.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stNov 7–11

山茶始開Tsubaki hajimete hiraku

The sasanqua camellia begins to flower.

2ndNov 12–16

地始凍Chi hajimete kōru

The ground begins to freeze.

3rdNov 17–21

金盞香Kinsenka saku

Narcissus releases its scent.

小雪

SHŌSETSU — light snow

c. Nov 22

First cold showers. Turning leaves and first snow share the same view.

Flowers: Sasanqua, holly, nandina
Scoop names: Hatsuyuki (first snow) / Fuyu-momiji (winter maple) / Uzumibi (banked embers)
Bowl: Oribe’s shoe-shaped bowl — its deliberate distortion comes alive.
Caddy motifs: Snow-ring, nandina, pine needle — white played against vermilion.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stNov 22–26

虹蔵不見Niji kakurete miezu

Rainbows hide and are seen no more.

2ndNov 27–Dec 1

朔風払葉Kitakaze konoha o harau

The north wind strips the leaves away.

3rdDec 2–6

橘始黄Tachibana hajimete kibamu

Mandarin fruit turns yellow.

大雪

TAISETSU — heavy snow

c. Dec 7

Deep winter. Days shorten toward the night gathering (yobanashi), a bowl shared by lamplight.

Flowers: Wintersweet, narcissus, winter camellia
Scoop names: Uzumibi (banked fire) / Yuki-akari (snow light) / Yobanashi (night talk)
Bowl: The cylinder bowl — deep enough to keep the tea hot.
Caddy motifs: Snow-laden bamboo, plover, winter peony — tame-nuri glows under lamps.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stDec 7–11

閉塞成冬Sora samuku fuyu to naru

The sky closes over and true winter sets in.

2ndDec 12–16

熊蟄穴Kuma ana ni komoru

Bears withdraw into their dens.

3rdDec 17–21

鱖魚群Sake no uo muragaru

Salmon gather and run up the rivers.

冬至

TŌJI — winter solstice

c. Dec 22

The light returns (ichiyō raifuku). A yuzu incense box wishes health, and the sun’s turn is celebrated.

Flowers: Winter chrysanthemum, nandina, yuzu
Scoop names: Ichiyō raifuku (light returns) / Yuzu / Nagayo (long night)
Bowl: Black Raku’s warmth — the season the palms are most grateful.
Caddy motifs: The returning light, sunrise, nandina — motifs of celebration.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stDec 22–26

乃東生Natsu-karekusa shōzu

Self-heal alone puts out its shoots.

2ndDec 27–31

麋角解Sawashika no tsuno otsuru

The great deer shed their antlers.

3rdJan 1–5

雪下出麦Yuki watarite mugi izuru

Barley sprouts beneath the snow.

小寒

SHŌKAN — lesser cold

c. Jan 6

The cold sets in and the year’s first kettle is hung. Looped willow and stacked shimadai bowls: New Year at its brightest.

Flowers: Looped willow, white camellia, pheasant’s eye (fukujusō)
Scoop names: Matsu-no-uchi (the pine days) / Hatsuharu (new spring) / Kotobuki (felicity)
Bowl: The gold-and-silver shimadai pair; red Raku for a festive colour.
Caddy motifs: Pine-bamboo-plum, treasure motifs, the zodiac — the year’s most lavish.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stJan 6–10

芹乃栄Seri sunawachi sakau

Water dropwort flourishes — the seven-herb season.

2ndJan 11–15

水泉動Shimizu atataka o fukumu

Frozen springs begin to move again.

3rdJan 16–19

雉始雊Kiji hajimete naku

The cock pheasant begins to call.

大寒

DAIKAN — greatest cold

c. Jan 20

The deepest cold. The cylinder bowl and wrung-cloth procedure hand the guest warmth along with the steam.

Flowers: Wabisuke camellia, wintersweet, pussy willow
Scoop names: Kan-kōbai (winter red plum) / Fuyu-kodachi (bare grove) / Machiharu (awaiting spring)
Bowl: Cylinder bowl with the wrung cloth — the host’s own warmth is the welcome.
Caddy motifs: Snow-ring, winter plum, pine — quiet motifs while spring is awaited.

72 KŌMICRO-SEASONS

1stJan 20–24

款冬華Fuki no hana saku

Butterbur buds push up through the cold.

2ndJan 25–29

水沢腹堅Sawamizu kōri tsumeru

Mountain streams freeze thick and hard.

3rdJan 30–Feb 3

鶏始乳Niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku

Hens sense the spring and begin to lay.

A mei is the poetic name a maker gives a tea scoop, and it carries the theme of the gathering. Those listed here are the well-worn classics — but a name is chosen by looking at the day’s sky or garden, not from a rulebook. If a word moves you, that is your mei.

The hearth-to-brazier changeover is covered in full on the Ro & Furo page.