Called koyoimi or reki observing the seasons in close detail is a specialty developed in China and introduced to Japan in the 6th century. Imagine not just four seasons but 72. This allows for contemplative notations of small changes. Each season has a correlating event such as ‘insects awaken from hibernation” or “thick fog descends.” I have started a notebook of the seasons with a photo of what has been happening. It’s a scramble to keep up which makes me think perhaps there is too much on my plate. This practice is helping me to slow down.

Season 11: March 25-29 “cherry flowers blossom” – my season “grey tree frog listens”