Japanese with anime voice: episode76
Hello, I’m Sachi.
Today, in honor of June, I would like to talk about one of Japan’s climates, 梅雨 (Tsuyu).
梅雨 (Tsuyu) is a weather phenomenon unique to Japan, and refers to the long period of rain that falls during about a month and a half from early summer to summer. In other countries, they have a rainy season. I often refer to 梅雨 (Tsuyu) as “rainy season” when I explain it in English, because it is difficult and annoying to explain 梅雨 (Tsuyu). Oh, I am sorry for thinking that it is a hassle to explain. But actually, I thought that the rainy season and 梅雨 (Tsuyu) are not exactly the same. I looked it up, and it seems that they are not exactly the same.
The rainy season is a long period of rainfall seen in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly due to the monsoon, and it has a duration of several months. But 梅雨 (Tsuyu) is a phenomenon unique to the East Asian region, and refers to about a month and a half of rainfall that occurs from early summer to summer under the influence of a rainy season front. I think that if it were true, 梅雨 (Tsuyu) would not be translated as “rainy season”. Well, I guess no one thinks about such a strict difference. However, I like the word “梅雨 (Tsuyu)” and the kanji character. And I think the word 梅雨 (Tsuyu) itself shows the difference between the rainy season and 梅雨 (Tsuyu). So, for those who are interested in Japan, I would like them to remember that the Japanese rain that falls during this season is called “梅雨 (Tsuyu)”.
梅雨 (Tsuyu) is usually seen from early June to mid-July. The 梅雨 (Tsuyu) period varies from region to region, but in Okinawa it starts in mid-May. I did not know that there is almost no 梅雨 (Tsuyu) in Hokkaido. I sometimes envy Hokkaido for not having such a season, because it is very humid during the 梅雨 (Tsuyu) season, but, however, when you grow up in a place with 梅雨 (Tsuyu), you sometimes think that this is the Japanese climate.
By the way, the Kanji character “梅雨 (Tsuyu)”. Isn’t this a Kanji that bothers people studying Japanese quite a bit? It is written “梅 (Ume)” and “雨 (Ame)” and reads “梅雨 (Tsuyu)”. You will surely wonder where in the world is the element that reads “Tsu” and “Yu” in this kanji. If you remember that the kanji 梅 (Ume) can be read as “Tsu” and the kanji 雨 (Ame) can be read as “Yu,” it will complicate things for you. In the case of 梅雨 (Tsuyu), we recommend that you read “梅雨 (Tsuyu)” when you write “梅 (Ume)” and “雨 (Ame)”. It is better to remember the kanji as a single word than as a stand-alone kanji.
There is a theory that the kanji for “梅雨 (Tsuyu)” comes from the rain that falls during the ripening of the 梅 (Ume) plum fruit. There are various theories, but this one seems to fit best to me.
During 梅雨 (Tsuyu), you may think that it is all rainy days and you can’t go out anywhere, but in fact, there is one thing you can enjoy outside even during such a season. That is the hydrangea. The hydrangea is a flower that blooms beautifully during this 梅雨 (Tsuyu) season. The interesting thing about this flower is that its color changes depending on the acidity of the soil. They turn blue in acidic soil and pink in neutral to alkaline soil. There are many places famous for hydrangeas in various parts of Japan, so if your trip falls during the 梅雨 (Tsuyu) season, you can include hydrangea viewing in your schedule.
Incidentally, the best hydrangea spot in Japan is Shimoda Park in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. It is said that Shimoda Park has the largest number of hydrangea plants in Japan. I live in Shizuoka, but I have never been there. But from the pictures I have seen, it looks really beautiful. I know I said that it can be enjoyed even on a rainy day, but if I wanted, I would really like to see the hydrangea in full bloom under the sunny sky.
Speaking of 梅雨 (Tsuyu), hydrangeas are beautiful, but actually, it is the time of year when plants themselves become even more beautiful. If you take a walk in nature on a sunny day during the 梅雨 (Tsuyu) season, you may be able to see the lush and beautiful plants that have been well hydrated and illuminated by the sun.
And at night during the 梅雨 (Tsuyu) season, you can also enjoy fireflies. Fireflies prefer a humid environment, so you can see many of them during the 梅雨 (Tsuyu) season. The light emitted by the floating fireflies in the rice paddies and riverside areas is fantastic, and their beauty is soothing. Firefly watching is one of the most popular summer traditions in Japan.
After the end of 梅雨 (Tsuyu), Japan will enter into full-blown summer, and the heat and humidity will intensify around the end of 梅雨 (Tsuyu), which is when the harsh midsummer weather will begin. 梅雨 (Tsuyu) is a rainy and humid season, but it also has a lot of fun and charm. I hope everyone will spend the Tsuyu season well and experience the beauty of Japan’s four seasons.
