The Japanese subdivided the calendar into 72 parts, each describing a specific, fleeting seasonal moment. I love how poetically specific and transient each of these divisions are:

March 16 to 20: 菜虫化蝶 Namushi chō to naru; Caterpillars become butterflies.

July 17 to 22: 鷹乃学習 Taka sunawachi waza o narau; Hawks learn to fly.

and my favorite:

November 27 to December 1: 朔風払葉 Kitakaze konoha o harau; North wind blows the leaves from the trees

I miss Japan so much and I can’t wait to return again. Read more about Japan’s 72 microseasons here.