[24 Solar Terms] Kanro (Cold Dew)

Kanro (Cold Dew)

Around October 8th - October 22nd

"Kanro," meaning "Cold Dew," signifies the deepening of autumn, when the dew on wildflowers feels particularly cold.

The sparkling dew of Shiraro (White Dew) now turns into cold dew, signaling the end of autumn.

In the fields, pampas grass extends its plumes, cosmos flowers sway in the breeze, and migratory birds can be seen flying south in formation.

As the daily temperature fluctuations increase, the trees in the mountains gradually begin to display their autumn colors. The changing attire of nature is one of the quintessential sights of autumn.

 

Seventy-Two Microseasons

Around October 8th - 12th: "Kōgan Kitaru" (Wild Geese Arrive)

This is the time when wild geese, migratory birds, fly in from the north.

Their flight in a V-formation high in the sky is one of the sights that announce the deepening season.

 

Around October 13th - 17th: "Kiku no Hana Hiraku" (Chrysanthemums Bloom)

This is the time when chrysanthemum flowers begin to bloom in gardens and fields.

With their crisp fragrance, pale white and yellow flowers sway in the autumn breeze. Chrysanthemums have long been believed to ward off evil spirits and have been cherished during the Choyo-no-sekku (Chrysanthemum Festival).

 

Around October 18th - 22nd: "Kirigirisu To ni Ari" (Crickets are in the Doors)

This is the time when the insects that have been singing since summer can be heard closer to our homes.

If you listen closely during the long nights, faint insect calls reach you from beyond the doorway. As autumn deepens, their melody becomes somewhat poignant and resonates in the heart.

 

Seasonal Delicacies, Events, and More

Around Kanro, both mountain and sea produce become even more abundant.

Root vegetables and wild plants such as taro, sweet potatoes, lotus root, and mushrooms are in season, and deliciously grilled saury and salmon adorn dining tables. In the chilly night air, warm soups and seasoned rice dishes become especially appealing.

As for fruits, persimmons and apples become sweeter, and chestnuts and ginkgo nuts also appear. The rich flavors of autumn allow us to feel the season from the core of our bodies.

Kanro is also the peak time for farm work, with rice harvesting and other harvests progressing in various regions. Looking up at the night sky, winter constellations gradually begin to appear alongside the clear moon.

 

Summary of "Kanro"

Kanro, when autumn is at its deepest and most tranquil. A "beauty of stillness" resides in the clear skies and cold winds.

It feels as if everything is gently preparing for the next season.

The sunlight reflected in the morning dew, the golden rice stalks, the distant lines of flying geese – in each of these, one can feel the certain passage of time.

Why not take a deep breath of the morning air, as if observing the deepening of autumn?