Shōsho (小暑)

One of Japan's 24 Seasonal Divisions

Shōsho (小暑) is one of Japan's 24 seasonal divisions (Sekki) in the traditional calendar.

Its name means "Lesser Heat," marking the time when the warmth of early summer steadily grows stronger.

The rainy season begins to fade, brighter skies return, and the songs of cicadas become part of everyday life. Vegetables ripen in the fields, rice plants grow taller, and the landscape takes on the rich greens of midsummer.

Although called "Lesser Heat," this is far from a cool season. Instead, it is the quiet threshold before the intense heat of Taisho (Greater Heat) arrives.

Shōsho is a season of anticipation, when nature gently reminds us that summer is only just beginning.

The Three Micro-Seasons of Shōsho

In Japan's traditional calendar, each of the 24 seasonal divisions is further divided into three micro-seasons known as Shichijūni-kō.

Shōsho includes the following three micro-seasons:

• Atsukaze Itaru (温風至) – Warm winds begin to blow.
• Hasu Hajimete Hiraku (蓮始開) – The first lotus flowers begin to bloom.
• Taka Waza o Narau (鷹乃学習) – Young hawks learn to fly.

Each lasts only a few days, revealing the subtle changes that quietly unfold as summer deepens.

Featured Artwork

About Japan's 72 Seasons

Japan has long observed the changing seasons through a traditional calendar that divides the year into 24 seasonal divisions, known as Sekki.

Each division is further divided into three micro-seasons, creating a total of 72 Seasons (Shichijūni-kō). Lasting only a few days each, these seasons reflect the subtle changes in nature—from blooming flowers and singing insects to ripening fruits and migrating birds.

This project celebrates those fleeting moments, inviting you to experience the quiet beauty of Japan's ever-changing landscape.

Explore More Seasons →