[The 24 Solar Terms] Hakuro (White Dew)

Hakuro (White Dew)

Around September 8th to September 23rd

"Hakuro" (White Dew) is when the clear air of autumn finally begins to drift in.

As the name suggests, it is the season when night dew sparkles on the tips of grass leaves and flower petals.

While some days still feel like late summer, mornings and evenings have become much cooler, and the chirping of insects fills the night sky. The sky is high and clear, the moon shines even brighter, and the entire land enters an autumnal mood.

Hakuro is a seasonal turning point that conveys changes in nature in a visible way. To feel the arrival of autumn in a single drop of dew might be a uniquely Japanese delicate appreciation of nature.

 

Seventy-Two Microseasons

Around September 8th to 12th: Kusa no Tsuyu Shiroshi (White Dew on Grass)

The time when dew on grass leaves sparkles white.

The dew shimmering in the morning sun holds a fleeting beauty that disappears in an instant.

It's a scene that seems to reflect the very arrival of autumn, and a sign that autumn is deepening day by day.

 

Around September 13th to 17th: Sekirei Naku (Wagtails Sing)

The time when wagtails sing along riverbanks and rice paddy paths.

Their adorable appearance, with their tails bobbing up and down, has been cherished since ancient times, and they even appear in Japanese mythology.

When their light calls echo through the clear autumn sky, it brings a refreshing feeling to the heart.

 

Around September 18th to 22nd: Tsubame Saru (Swallows Leave)

The time when swallows, who migrated here in spring, depart for southern lands.

The sight of them resting on eaves and power lines will soon be gone. The migration of swallows tells us that the seasons are indeed progressing. It's as if they leave behind a promise for the next spring, along with the sadness of their departure.

 

Seasonal Delicacies and Events

Around Hakuro, autumn's bounty truly begins to grace our tables.

For vegetables, taro, pumpkin, lotus root, and various mushrooms are in season. These nourishing ingredients warm us during long autumn evenings when prepared in stews and soups.

For fruits, grapes, pears, and figs are at their best. Their juicy sweetness soothes bodies tired from summer. Chestnuts and persimmons also begin to appear, expanding the joys of autumn.

For seafood, saury becomes even fattier, and salmon and autumn squid are also in season. The savory aroma of grilled fish stimulates the appetite and adds an autumnal touch to the dining table.

As for events, "Jugoya" (the Mid-Autumn Moon viewing) sometimes falls during this period. It's an ancient and elegant custom to admire the brilliant full moon in the clear sky, decorate with pampas grass, and offer dumplings and seasonal fruits. This allows one to feel the season under the moonlight.

Also, in some regions, rice harvesting begins around this time, and the golden rice fields evoke a quintessential Japanese landscape.

 

Summary of "Hakuro"

Hakuro is a time when "signs of autumn" are delicately scattered throughout nature.

The sparkling dew, the chirping of insects, the departure of swallows—each is a fleeting event, yet each speaks of the steady progression of the season.

The transition from summer to autumn is not dramatic. However, if you quiet your mind and notice the cool air in the early morning or the clear brightness of the night sky, the seasonal changes are surprisingly rich and profound.

The earth nurtures its bounty, the sky clears, and the wind brings stillness. Hakuro is a solar term that stands at the entrance to autumn, allowing us to feel the breath of nature.

If you find a drop of dew, why not stop and gaze at it?
Perhaps all the beauty of autumn is condensed within its fleeting light.