Since the cherry blossoms have already fallen, it can no longer be called “flower chill.” Although we had warm weather for a while, these days it has been quite chilly. According to the 24 solar terms, we are currently in the 6th term called “Grain Rain,” during which the generous rains from the sky, which are also blessings, pour down on the many grains on the ground. Each solar term is further divided into three segments of 5 days each, called “initial, middle, and final,” and starting from today, the 25th, we enter the second segment of “Grain Rain” called “frost stops and seedlings sprout.” This is the time when it’s getting warmer, frost no longer falls, and seedlings grow rapidly. Farmers are starting to prepare for planting rice, and there is a lot of energy and excitement in the air. Nearby parks are covered with fresh green leaves, and preparations have been made for people to relax and enjoy, but there are hardly any people around due to the cold weather. Golden Week starts from this weekend, and I’m sure it will be crowded with many people by then.

桜も散ってしまったので花冷えとも言えません。しばらくの間はポカポカ陽気が続きましたが、このところ肌寒い日が続いています。二十四節気で言えば、６番目「穀雨」の季節で、その名の通り、地上にあるたくさんの穀物にたっぷりと、天からの贈り物でもある恵みの雨がしっとりと降り注いでいます。一つの節気には、さらに三区分して、初候、次候、末候と各５日間の候がありますが、今日25日からは、「穀雨」の次侯「霜止出苗(しもやんでなえいづる)」です。ぼつぼつ暖かくなって、霜も降らなくなり、苗がすくすくと育つ頃です。農家では田植えの準備が始まり、活気にあふれてきます。近くの公園も、青葉若葉に覆い尽くされ、憩う人達の準備も整いましたが、この肌寒さでほとんど人影がありません。今週末からはゴールデンウィークが始まります。その頃にはきっと多くの人達で賑わうことでしょう。