Risshun: What 'Spring Begins' Really Means in Japanese
A look at Risshun, the first day of spring in Japan's traditional calendar, and the meaning of the season.
As a Japanese person, one of the moments I look forward to each year is February 4th. This isn’t because the weather suddenly gets warm, but because according to the calendar, spring has officially begun. This day is called Risshun (立春).
It often surprises people outside Japan because in many parts of the country, snow is still falling! The answer lies in our traditional calendar, where seasons mark subtle shifts in nature rather than just the temperature.
The Kanji Breakdown
立 (Ritsu) — To Stand / To Establish
This character means “to stand,” “to rise,” or “to establish.” In the context of the seasons, 立 (Ritsu) marks the official beginning—the moment when a new season “stands up” and takes its place.
You’ll see this kanji in the names for all four seasonal beginnings:
- 立春 (Risshun) — Spring (Feb 4th)
- 立夏 (Rikka) — Summer (May 6th)
- 立秋 (Risshu) — Autumn (Aug 8th)
- 立冬 (Ritto) — Winter (Nov 7th)
春 (Haru) — Spring
春 (Haru) is the kanji for spring. It also carries a feeling of “youth” or “new beginnings.”
The 24 Solar Terms
To be honest, I only learned the technical term for this system—nijushi sekki (二十四節気)—when I started researching this topic. Most people in Japan don’t know all 24 terms, but certain ones like Risshun (立春) or Geshi (夏至 - Summer Solstice) appear on news programs and calendars.
From what I understand, this system originated in China and divides the year into 24 periods of about 15 days each. Each has a poetic name like “Awakening of Insects” or “Grain Rain.” It’s a very humble way of observing the world that many farmers still reference today.
When Does Spring Really Begin?
While Risshun marks the start of spring on the calendar, February is still one of the coldest months. You’ll definitely still need a winter coat!
So why call it spring? Because if you look closely, you can see small signs: the days are getting longer, and sometimes you can see the first plum blossoms (ume, 梅). This mindset of noticing small changes is a very traditional Japanese way of looking at the world.
The Connection to Setsubun
I recently wrote about Setsubun (節分), the festival on February 3rd where we throw beans. When I looked into the connection, I learned something interesting.
Setsubun literally means “seasonal division”—setsu (節) means “season” and bun (分) means “to divide.” In the old calendar, Risshun was like the start of the new year. That made Setsubun the equivalent of New Year’s Eve—a day to clear out the bad luck before the fresh start of spring.
Spring Kanji in Daily Life
The single kanji 春 (Spring) is very popular for seasonal accessories or clothing. However, it’s worth being careful when combining it with other characters.
春雨 (Harusame) literally means “spring rain,” which sounds very poetic. But in Japan, it’s also the common name for glass noodles (cellophane noodles). Wearing this might look a bit like wearing a shirt that says “SPAGHETTI” when you meant to say “Spring Rain.”
Combinations to Avoid
Some combinations with 春 (Haru) have very negative meanings and should be avoided for fashion or tattoos:
- 売春 (Baishun) — Prostitution
- 買春 (Baishun) — Soliciting
These look innocent if you only know that 春 means “spring,” but they carry very serious negative connotations.
Final Thoughts
Risshun reminds us that transitions happen gradually. Whether it’s the start of a new season or a change in your own life, it’s about noticing the small, bright moments.
I hope this new season brings you a bit of warmth and renewal.