[24 Solar Terms] Shōman (Lesser Fullness)

Shōman (Grain Fills)

Approximately May 21st – June 4th

Shōman, when the gentle breezes of early summer begin to blow, is a season when all things gradually come to fruition.

The greenery of the trees deepens, and the sky begins to show signs of towering cumulonimbus clouds. In agricultural fields, the wheat sown in spring ripens, and the surface of the rice paddies shimmers, foreshadowing the harvest to come.

The word "Shōman" embodies a quiet joy: a sense of relief as crops grow, and people's hearts feeling gently fulfilled. It is a season where, even in daily life, one can perceive the invisible signs of "filling up."

 

Seventy-two micro-seasons (Shichijūnī Kō)

Approximately May 21st – 25th: "Kaiko Okite Kuwa o Hamu" (Silkworms awaken and eat mulberry leaves)

In sericulture, this period is considered crucial as silkworms begin to feed on mulberry leaves.

The sound of tiny silkworms diligently munching on young mulberry leaves is also called "Kaiko Shigure" (silkworm rain), and it is said to have resonated in the quiet silkworm rooms like the sound of rain.

 

Approximately May 26th – 30th: "Benibana Sakau" (Safflowers bloom)

This is the time when safflowers, valued as dyes and medicinal herbs, come into bloom.

The sight of their petals changing from yellow to crimson truly conveys the passage of the seasons. The vibrant colors of safflowers blooming in the fields are like scattered fragments of sunshine. They are one of the flowers that symbolize the simple yet brilliant early summer.

 

Approximately May 31st – June 4th: "Bakushū Itaru" (Wheat ripens)

Although the character for "autumn" is used, it signifies the time of harvest for wheat.

The golden waves of wheat fields swaying in the early summer breeze are a beautiful sight unique to this season. While the wheat ripens, water is poured into the rice paddies, and preparations for puddling and rice planting progress. It is a valuable period where both the joy of harvest and planting can be felt.

 

Seasonal Delights, Events, etc.

Shop fronts are lined with various beans like broad beans, green peas, snap peas, and green beans. The aroma and sweetness of these beans, condensed with the blessings of the earth, are a quintessential taste of early summer. Simple salt-boiling is recommended to bring out their natural flavor.

Fish markets offer young ayu sweetfish, early summer sardines, and refreshing bonito. Young ayu, in particular, are the season's first catch, having swum in clear rivers. Grilled with salt, their fragrant skin and tender flesh offer a refreshing early summer deliciousness.

Many rice-planting festivals and ceremonies to worship water deities are held in various regions. These festivals, expressing gratitude for water and praying for bountiful harvests, convey the traditional way of life that coexists with nature.

The sight of early rice-planting maidens in the paddies, accompanied by rice-planting songs, continues to add color to people's lives as an important seasonal event.

 

Summary of "Rikka"

Shōman is a season where we can experience a quiet sense of satisfaction as we witness the growth of all life. The dazzling early summer sunlight fills the sky, and the scent of greenery and cool breezes spread across the land.

Joy and expectation intertwine in the fields, making us realize that they quietly support our daily lives.

Why not take a deep breath and feel this subtle yet abundant presence?