【24 Solar Terms】
Bōshu (Grain in Ear)

Bōshu (Grain in Ear)

Around June 5th - 20th

Around "Bōshu," the signs of the rainy season deepen, and the weather changes rapidly.

The timing of the rainy season's start is a yearly concern, but typically, it's said to be around June 4th for Kyushu, June 5th for Shikoku, June 6th for Chugoku to Tokai, and June 7th for Kanto Koshin.

"Nogi" refers to the thorn-like projection at the tip of graminaceous plants. This period is considered suitable for sowing seeds of grains with awns, but in reality, rice planting is already in full swing, making it a busy time for farming villages.

Flowers like hydrangeas blooming on moist ground have a beauty unique to the rainy season. The next solar term is "Geshi" (Summer Solstice), marking the official beginning of summer.

 

72 Microseasons

Around June 5th - 9th: "Kamakiri Shōzu" (Mantises Hatch)

It's the time when young mantises emerge from the soil, drawn out by the early summer warmth.

Small insects begin to move in the grass, and the mantises' sharp eyes gleam. Although still somewhat fragile, their stance with their scythes firmly held reveals the resilience of nature and its inherent laws.

 

Around June 10th - 15th: "Kusareta ru Kusa Hotaru to Naru" (Rotten Grass Becomes Fireflies)

The poetic expression "rotten grass becomes fireflies" reflects how people in ancient times viewed nature.

In reality, it's the time when fireflies begin to dance in damp grass and near water. The small lights floating softly over the water at dusk create an ethereal scene that comes with the arrival of the rainy season.

Once a beloved summer tradition, firefly viewing was enjoyed in various regions. It is a season where one wants to surrender their heart, if only for a moment, to the fleeting yet beautiful light.

 

Around June 16th - 20th: "Ume no Mi Kibamu" (Plums Turn Yellow)

It's the time when plums begin to ripen and turn yellow.

The plum blossoms that bloomed in spring now absorb plenty of rain, swelling into round fruits that will soon be ready for harvest. Green plums harvested during this season are transformed into plum wine, plum syrup, or pickled plums, becoming valuable preserved foods for summer.

The green fruits arranged in the kitchen, alongside the clear sparkle of rock sugar and salt. "Ume shigoto" (plum work) is a unique early summer handcraft that marks the rhythm of the season in daily life.

 

Seasonal Delicacies and Events

The Bōshu period is when early summer vegetables become even more abundant.

Bell peppers, zucchini, and corn are in season, and the dining table becomes more vibrant with summery colors.

Simply steaming or grilling them brings out the natural sweetness and robustness of the vegetables. Even just blanching them in salt water allows you to fully enjoy their seasonal flavor.

As for fish, pike conger (hamo), chicken grunt (isaki), and beltfish (tachiuo) are in season. Especially in Kansai, pike conger, which becomes fattier during the rainy season, is highly valued as a "taste of the rainy season." It's elegantly enjoyed by blanching filleted hamo and serving it with umeboshi paste or vinegar miso.

 

Bōshu Summary

Bōshu is the time when both the air and the earth slowly but surely move towards summer.

Pickling plums, watching fireflies, gazing at the rain—such small actions hold the richness of life.

Just as seeds with awns are sown in the earth, new seeds are sown within us, eventually sprouting.

This is what this solar term gently teaches us.