37 FramesWhen people talk about Japan, they love to mention the “four seasons.” Cherry blossoms in spring. Fireworks in summer. Crimson leaves in autumn. Snow in winter. You’ve heard it all before.
But here’s the secret: Japan doesn’t actually have four seasons. It has 72.
Yes, seventy-two.
Welcome to the world of kō (候) — micro-seasons that last just five days each. They’re based on a traditional lunisolar calendar, dividing the year into 24 solar terms (sekki), and then splitting each term into three. The result? A poetic, hyper-detailed map of nature’s tiniest shifts.
The Poetry of 72 Micro-Seasons
Forget “spring, summer, autumn, winter.” Try:
- “Nightingales sing.”
- “Dew glistens on the grass.”
- “Mist starts to hover.”
- “Caterpillars become butterflies.”
Doesn’t that sound better than just “spring”?
These names are not random. They’re rooted in centuries of observation, designed to help people tune into the subtleties of the natural world. Instead of rushing through the year, they invite us to pause, notice, and delight in what’s happening right now.
Culture Written in Nature
The 72 seasons aren’t just practical. They’re deeply woven into Japanese culture. Poets used them as seasonal markers (kigo) in waka and haiku. Farmers used them to guide planting and harvesting. Artists and writers used them as metaphors for impermanence, beauty, and change.
Even today, the rhythm of life in Japan echoes these micro-seasons. From food to festivals, there’s always something fleeting to celebrate — and miss when it’s gone.
What Season Were You Married In?
Here’s the fun part. Couples always tell us about their “spring wedding” or their “autumn elopement.” But imagine saying you married during “When the first rainbow appears” or “When the pheasants start to call.”
Instant poetry.
So we want to ask:
👉 Which micro-season speaks to you most?
👉 And if you’re married, do you know what season it fell under?
Ours? Let’s just say we’ve worked through everything from “Thunder ceases” to “Great rains sometimes fall” (often on cue). And yes, we’ve photographed vows under cherry blossoms, fireflies, and typhoon skies. Each season tells its own story — just like every couple.
Why This Matters to Us
At 37 Frames, presence is everything. And nothing teaches presence like these micro-seasons. They remind us to notice the coffee shop’s camellias blooming in November. The sudden chorus of cicadas in July. The rainbow that shows up after too much rain.
It’s a way of seeing. And in our work, seeing is everything.
✨ So tell us: Which of Japan’s 72 seasons would you claim as your own? And if you’re dreaming of a wedding in Japan, which moment in nature feels most like you?
📋 Planning | 📸 Photography | 🎥 Film by @37frames
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