#midsummerdecorations

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Mid Summer/ June

Japanese Name: Ame no Hi/ Tsuyu/ Baiyu/ Teru Teru Bozu/ Ajisai/ Kasa/ Wagasa/ Kaeru/ Niji

English Name: Rainy Day/ Rainy Season/ Plum Rain/ Shine Shine Monk. Hydrangea/ Umbrella/ Japanese Umbrella/ Frog/ Rainbow

       In early summer, most parts of Japan get visited by a rainy season, the so called tsuyu (梅雨, or baiyu), literally meaning "plum rain", because it coincides with the season of plums ripening. In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier. Only Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido gets barely affected by the rainy season. During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles. 

    A teru teru bōzu (てるてる坊主, lit. "shine shine monk") is a small traditional handmade doll made of white paper or cloth that Japanese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. Today, children make teru teru bōzu out of tissue paper or cotton and string and hang them from a window when they wish for sunny weather, often before a school picnic day. This talisman is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather and to stop or prevent a rainy day. Teru teru bōzu became popular during the Edo period among urban dwellers, whose children would make them the day before the good weather was desired and chant, "Fine-weather priest, please let the weather be good tomorrow." Traditionally, if the weather does turn out well, a libation of holy sake is poured over them, and they are washed away in the river. Hanging it upside-down, meanwhile, acts as a prayer for rain. 

     Ajisai, 紫陽花 a.k.a. Hydrangea, is the sign of the rainy season in Japan. Another nickname for hydrangea, called nanahenge, which means seven transformations. The flower is adored and honored by most of the Japanese like they do for ume, sakura and irises. In fact, the flower was first discovered in Japan. In general, they start blooming from early June to mid July. History says hydrangeas have appeared in poems of the Nara period (710-794). During the Edo period (1618-1868), seeing the changeability of the flower, this flower was ignored by the samurai as they used to believe that it is immortal. Hydrangeas change their color with environment in the rain and this fact makes us to think of this as inconsistent, immortal, sadness of impermanence, change of mind, hopeless love and so on. Though, cluster of hydrangea blossoms symbolize enduring love, everlasting friendships, and family bonds. 

     Kasa, 傘かさ, is the Japanese general word for umbrella, while the word for the traditional paper umbrellas is wagasa 和傘わがさ. Oil-paper umbrellas were a variety invented in China which spread to many neighboring countries. No one knows exactly when umbrellas were invented, but it's thought they came to Japan via Korea during the Asuka period (538-710). At first, umbrellas were such a luxury item that they also had spiritual significance. But over the centuries some changes were made, and by the Edo period umbrellas were much more common. Still, a lot of craft went into making umbrellas. During the Edo period (1603-1868), umbrellas became a common feature of visual and performing arts. From the Meiji period onward, and particularly after World War II, traditional umbrellas were eclipsed by Western style ones. 

     Kaeru, かえる(蛙) or frogs, in Japan are auspicious creatures, bringing rain, fertility and good fortune due to the abundant number of eggs produced by a frogs when mating (~1500). The frog is regarded as the god of rainfall associated with the tsuyu rainy season and with good harvests in Japan (rainfall being particularly important for abundant harvests of rice). Frogs are ascribed magical powers, and are popular lucky amulets, because the word for frog in Japanese “kaeru” sounds like “kaeru” meaning “return”, therefore implying many happy returns (of money and fortune), a safe return journey, etc. 

     Niji, 虹 or rainbows, were the bridges that human ancestors took to descend to the planet. This legend is shared to some extent with Chinese mythology, which says the red represents the feet, and violet symbolizes the head of a human being. Therefore, a single rainbow signifies a human descending from heaven to earth. This could be for communication, or rebirth.

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Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Mid Summer/ June

Japanese Name: Tsuyu/ Baiyu/ Ajisai/ Kasa/ Wagasa/ Kaeru

English Name: Rainy Season/ Plum Rain/ Hydrangea/ Umbrella/ Japanese Umbrella/ Frog

     In early summer, most parts of Japan get visited by a rainy season, the so called tsuyu (梅雨, or baiyu), literally meaning "plum rain", because it coincides with the season of plums ripening. In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier. Only Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido gets barely affected by the rainy season. During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles.

    Ajisai, 紫陽花 a.k.a. Hydrangea, is the sign of the rainy season in Japan. Another nickname for hydrangea, called nanahenge, which means seven transformations. The flower is adored and honored by most of the Japanese like they do for ume, sakura and irises. In fact, the flower was first discovered in Japan. In general, they start blooming from early June to mid July. History says hydrangeas have appeared in poems of the Nara period (710-794). During the Edo period (1618-1868), seeing the changeability of the flower, this flower was ignored by the samurai as they used to believe that it is immortal. Hydrangeas change their color with environment in the rain and this fact makes us to think of this as inconsistent, immortal, sadness of impermanence, change of mind, hopeless love and so on. Though, cluster of hydrangea blossoms symbolize enduring love, everlasting friendships, and family bonds.

    Kasa, 傘かさ, is the Japanese general word for umbrella, while the word for the traditional paper umbrellas is wagasa 和傘わがさ. Oil-paper umbrellas were a variety invented in China which spread to many neighboring countries. No one knows exactly when umbrellas were invented, but it's thought they came to Japan via Korea during the Asuka period (538-710). At first, umbrellas were such a luxury item that they also had spiritual significance. But over the centuries some changes were made, and by the Edo period umbrellas were much more common. Still, a lot of craft went into making umbrellas. During the Edo period (1603-1868), umbrellas became a common feature of visual and performing arts. From the Meiji period onward, and particularly after World War II, traditional umbrellas were eclipsed by Western style ones.

    Kaeru, かえる(蛙) or frogs, in Japan are auspicious creatures, bringing rain, fertility and good fortune due to the abundant number of eggs produced by a frogs when mating (~1500). The frog is regarded as the god of rainfall associated with the tsuyu rainy season and with good harvests in Japan (rainfall being particularly important for abundant harvests of rice). Frogs are ascribed magical powers, and are popular lucky amulets, because the word for frog in Japanese “kaeru” sounds like “kaeru” meaning “return”, therefore implying many happy returns (of money and fortune), a safe return journey, etc.

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Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Late Summer/ July

Japanese Name: Tanabata/ Kikkoden/ Hikoboshi-Orihime/ Hikoboshi/ Orihime/ Tanzaku/ Sasatake/ Tanabata-kazari

English Name: Star Festival/ Festival to Plead for Skills/ Cowherder-Weaver Girl/ Cowherder/ Weaving Princess/ Paper Strips/ Small Bamboo/ Star Festival Decorations

     Tanabata (七夕, meaning "Evening of the seventh"), also known as the Star Festival, is a Japanese festival originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar. The date of Tanabata varies by region of the country, but the first festivities begin on 7 July of the Gregorian calendar. The celebration is held at various days between July and August. The festival was introduced to Japan by the Empress Kōken in 755. It originated from "The Festival to Plead for Skills" (乞巧奠 Kikkōden), an alternative name for Qixi, which was celebrated in China and also was adopted in the Kyoto Imperial Palace from the Heian period.The festival gained widespread popularity amongst the general public by the early Edo period, when it became mixed with various Obon or Bon traditions, and developed into the modern Tanabata festival. Popular customs relating to the festival varied by region of the country, but generally, girls wished for better sewing and craftsmanship, and boys wished for better handwriting by writing wishes on strips of paper. 

   Hikoboshi-Orihime (牛郎織女, "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl") is the famous Chinese folklore story that inspired the Japanese Tanabata festival, as well as the Chinese Qixi and Korean Chilseok festivals. In the most popular version of the story, it says that:

Orihime (織姫, Weaving Princess), daughter of the Tentei (天帝, Sky King, or the universe itself), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (天の川, Milky Way, lit. "heavenly river"). Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it.

However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet and fall in love with anyone.

Concerned about his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (彦星, Cowman/Cowherd Star, or literally Boy Star) who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa.

When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter. However, once married, Orihime no longer would weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven.

In anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet.

Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again.

Tentei was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month if she worked hard and finished her weaving.

The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river.

It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the magpies cannot come because of the rise of the river and the two lovers must wait until another year to meet. The rain of this day is called "The tear of Orihime and Hikoboshi". 

    Tanzaku (短冊, paper strips), are what people in present-day Japan generally use to celebrate Tanabata by writing wishes, sometimes in the form of poetry, and hanging them from bamboo, sometimes with other decorations. The practice of making wishes on Tanabata comes from another name for the holiday, Kikkoden, which means “The Festival to Plead for Skills,” such as sewing for girls and handwriting/craftsmanship for boys. Over time, the various colors of the tanzaku came to represent the five Eastern elements and are associated with specific types of wishes.

Blue or green tanzaku represent the Wood element, the star Vega, virtuousness and self-improvement.

Red tanzaku represent the Fire element, the star Antares and appreciation for ancestors or parents.

Yellow tanzaku represent the Earth element, the star Altair, friendships and trust.

White tanzaku represent the Metal element, the Milky Way, commitments and promises.

Black or purple tanzaku represent the Water element, the color of the night sky, and improved education.

In earlier Tanabata celebrations, once the festival had ended, these decorations were floated down a river or sent out to see so that the gods could take them away, a similar tradition to toro nagashi. 

    Sasatake (笹竹;篠竹, “small bamboo”) is where tanzaku and other decorations, known as tanabata-kazari (Tanabata ornaments), are hung during the Tanabata holiday.  When this holiday first came to Japan, wishes were written on the leaves of the sacred kaji (mulberry) tree. As time passed, the event transformed into a festival for wishing on the stars by writing wishes on tanzaku instead of kaji leaves, and hanging these strips of paper on bamboo branches. Incidentally, the bamboo has also been a sacred plant since the olden days, just like the mulberry tree, and it is also said that gods live in bamboo trees. 

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Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Mid Summer/ June

Japanese Name: Tsuyu/ Baiyu/ Ajisai

English Name: Rainy Season/ Plum Rain/ Hydrangeas

      In early summer, most parts of Japan get visited by a rainy season, the so called tsuyu (梅雨, or baiyu), literally meaning "plum rain", because it coincides with the season of plums ripening. In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier. Only Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido gets barely affected by the rainy season. During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles. 

    Ajisai, 紫陽花 a.k.a. Hydrangea, is the sign of the rainy season in Japan. Another nickname for hydrangea, called nanahenge, which means seven transformations. The flower is adored and honored by most of the Japanese like they do for ume, sakura and irises. In fact, the flower was first discovered in Japan. In general, they start blooming from early June to mid July. History says hydrangeas have appeared in poems of the Nara period (710-794). During the Edo period (1618-1868), seeing the changeability of the flower, this flower was ignored by the samurai as they used to believe that it is immortal. Hydrangeas change their color with environment in the rain and this fact makes us to think of this as inconsistent, immortal, sadness of impermanence, change of mind, hopeless love and so on. Though, cluster of hydrangea blossoms symbolize enduring love, everlasting friendships, and family bonds. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Mid Summer/ June

Japanese Name: Tsuyu/ Baiyu/ Yanagi to Kaeru

English Name: Rainy Season/ Plum Rain/ Willow & Frog

      In early summer, most parts of Japan get visited by a rainy season, the so called tsuyu (梅雨, or baiyu), literally meaning "plum rain", because it coincides with the season of plums ripening. In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier. Only Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido gets barely affected by the rainy season. During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles. 

    Kaeru, かえる(蛙) or frogs, in Japan are auspicious creatures, bringing rain, fertility and good fortune due to the abundant number of eggs produced by a frogs when mating (~1500). The frog is regarded as the god of rainfall associated with the tsuyu rainy season and with good harvests in Japan (rainfall being particularly important for abundant harvests of rice). Frogs are ascribed magical powers, and are popular lucky amulets, because the word for frog in Japanese “kaeru” sounds like “kaeru” meaning “return”, therefore implying many happy returns (of money and fortune), a safe return journey, etc. 

    Yanagi,柳 or willow trees, love damp soil and are often seen growing by streams or rivers. They can easily be propagated by placing a cut branch in water; it will rapidly grow roots. Yanagi is highly associated with femininity. From the Chinese, the Japanese received the beliefs that yanagi could "ward off demons, prevent blindness, and purify." 

    Yanagi to Kaeru, 柳と蛙 or “willow & frog,” are part of a popular Edo story about the famous Heian period calligrapher Ono no Michikaze. One rainy day, he was feeling particularly hopeless and considered quitting his study of calligraphy. He stopped by a stream near a willow tree and saw a small frog trying to leap to a dangling willow branch. He watched the frog leap for the branch, but every time the wind would blow it just out of reach. Finally, on the eighth attempt, the frog clung to the branch. Ono no Michikaze was inspired by the perseverance of the frog, and continued his career to become one of the most famous calligraphers in Japan. There are doubts that the story is true, but it is an inspiring tale nonetheless.

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Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Mid Summer/ June

Japanese Name: Tsuyu/ Teru teru bozu/ Ajisai/ Katatsumuri/ Kasa/ Wagasa/

English Name: Rainy Season/ Shine Shine Monk/ Hydrangea/ Land Snails/ Umbrella/ Japanese Umbrella

     In early summer, most parts of Japan get visited by a rainy season, the so called tsuyu (梅雨, or baiyu), literally meaning "plum rain", because it coincides with the season of plums ripening. In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier. Only Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido gets barely affected by the rainy season. During the rainy season it does not rain every day. In fact, Tokyo registers only an average of 12 rainy days in June, while 120 hours of sunshine are recorded. As for the amount of rainfall, it varies from days with intensive downpours to other days with occasional sprinkles.

   A teru teru bōzu (てるてる坊主, lit. "shine shine monk") is a small traditional handmade doll made of white paper or cloth that Japanese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. Today, children make teru teru bōzu out of tissue paper or cotton and string and hang them from a window when they wish for sunny weather, often before a school picnic day. This talisman is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather and to stop or prevent a rainy day. Teru teru bōzu became popular during the Edo period among urban dwellers, whose children would make them the day before the good weather was desired and chant, "Fine-weather priest, please let the weather be good tomorrow." Traditionally, if the weather does turn out well, a libation of holy sake is poured over them, and they are washed away in the river. Hanging it upside-down, meanwhile, acts as a prayer for rain.

    Ajisai, 紫陽花 a.k.a. Hydrangea, is the sign of the rainy season in Japan. Another nickname for hydrangea, called nanahenge, which means seven transformations. The flower is adored and honored by most of the Japanese like they do for ume, sakura and irises. In fact, the flower was first discovered in Japan. In general, they start blooming from early June to mid July. History says hydrangeas have appeared in poems of the Nara period (710-794). During the Edo period (1618-1868), seeing the changeability of the flower, this flower was ignored by the samurai as they used to believe that it is immortal. Hydrangeas change their color with environment in the rain and this fact makes us to think of this as inconsistent, immortal, sadness of impermanence, change of mind, hopeless love and so on. Though, cluster of hydrangea blossoms symbolize enduring love, everlasting friendships, and family bonds. 

    Katatsumuri, 蝸牛 a.k.a. land snails, hibernate in the winter, emerging in the spring to mate. They may be observed all summer long foraging in gardens, especially on early mornings or after a rain.

    Kasa, 傘かさ, is the Japanese general word for umbrella, while the word for the traditional paper umbrellas is wagasa 和傘わがさ. Oil-paper umbrellas were a variety invented in China which spread to many neighboring countries. No one knows exactly when umbrellas were invented, but it's thought they came to Japan via Korea during the Asuka period (538-710). At first, umbrellas were such a luxury item that they also had spiritual significance. But over the centuries some changes were made, and by the Edo period umbrellas were much more common. Still, a lot of craft went into making umbrellas. During the Edo period (1603-1868), umbrellas became a common feature of visual and performing arts. From the Meiji period onward, and particularly after World War II, traditional umbrellas were eclipsed by Western style ones.

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