J.R. Johnson

Did you know that the traditional Japan almanac recognized 72 micro-seasons?

Japan’s 72 Microseasons | Nippon.com

In ancient times the Japanese divided their year into 24 periods based on classical Chinese sources. The natural world comes to life in the even more vividly named 72 subdivisions of the traditional Japanese calendar.

I thought of that fact this morning when I woke to what felt like a sea change in the weather. The overnight temperatures have been dropping, of course, but there is something else.

Along with a new chill in the air, the morning started with fog that wound between houses, draping the neighborhood in a layer of mystery. The cries of geese echoed down from above as they arrowed south.

It is the season of feathers and fog.

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