From today until the 19th is “Keichitsu” (Awakening of Insects). From the 20th, it will be the Vernal Equinox. Since, according to the calendar, it is still winter until the Vernal Equinox, we can now say that winter is finally reaching its end. Keichitsu is divided into three segments: the first segment (5th to 9th) is “蟄虫啓戸” (Insects emerge and doors open). This is the time when insects that have been hibernating in the soil start emerging under the warm spring sunlight. The second segment (10th to 14th) is “桃始笑” (Peach blossoms begin to smile), representing the time when peach buds open, and flowers begin to bloom. The last segment (15th to 19th) is “菜虫化蝶” (Caterpillars become butterflies), symbolizing the emergence of butterflies from the chrysalis after enduring the harsh winter and taking flight when their wings are ready.
Even on today’s television, there was news about removing straw mats protecting pine trees from pests. However, the first and second segments have already passed, and as shown in the photo, rapeseed flowers are in full bloom with ladybugs and butterflies dancing around. This winter seems to have been exceptionally warm, and scenes where it’s difficult to distinguish between winter and spring have been observed all over the country. Considering the impact of global warming, it’s not something to rejoice about without reservation.

今日から19日まで啓蟄(けいちつ)です。20日からは春分。暦的には春分までは冬ですから、いよいよ冬も最終盤と言う事になります。啓蟄は３候に分かれていて、初侯(５日〜９日)は「蟄虫啓戸(すごもりむしとをひらく)」で、土の中で冬眠をしていた虫たちが、暖かい春の日差しの下に出てき始める頃、次候(10日〜14日)は「桃始笑(ももはじめてさく)」で、桃のつぼみが開き、花が咲き始める頃、末候(15日〜19日)は「菜虫化蝶(なむしちょうとなる)」で、厳しい冬を越したさなぎが羽化し、美しい蝶へと生まれ変わり、羽ばたく頃、を表します。
今日のテレビでも、松の木を害虫から守るこも巻きを外すニュースが流れていましたが、初侯、次候はもうとっくに終えていて、写真の様に菜の花は満開で、てんとう虫やちょうが舞っています。今年の冬は特に暖かかった様で、冬か春か見分けがつかない光景が全国至る所で見られた様です。地球温暖化の影響を考えたら、手放しで喜んでもいられません。