Japanese Calendar: 9月 - 長月 (Nagatsuki)
By Nozomi Yokoyama |This year, the heat in Japan is expected to persist through September and October. Please take care and stay cool!
When I think of September, I envision cosmos flowers, clear autumn skies, and cirrocumulus clouds. What comes to mind for you when you think of September?
In the traditional lunar calendar, September roughly aligns with October today. It was considered the last month of autumn, a time when you could start to feel a slight chill in the daytime breeze as the season deepened.
As autumn progresses and the days grow shorter, the nights become longer, which is why the month was called 'Yonagazuki,' meaning 'the month of long nights.' Over time, this was shortened to 'Nagatsuki.'
With the lengthening nights, it seems like the perfect time for reading. In Japan, autumn is often called 'the season for reading.' Enjoying board games with family and friends is another great way to embrace the longer evenings. Let’s make the most of these gradually lengthening nights.
