Zassetsu(Seasonal Transition)｜The Eighty-Eighth Night（Hachijuhachiya）
雑節｜八十八夜

Today marks an exceptional moment in the traditional Japanese calendar known as "Hachijuhachiya," or the Eighty-Eighth Night. This date, counted 88 days from Risshun, the first day of spring, usually falls on May 2nd. However, due to this being a leap year, it uniquely lands on today. Hachijuhachiya is deeply intertwined with agricultural practices, tea culture, and folklore, offering a fascinating glimpse into Japan's seasonal and cultural rhythms.

本日は、「八十八夜」、日本の伝統的な暦の特別な瞬間を迎えます。立春から数えて88日目に当たるこの日は通常は5月2日ですが、今年は閏年のため、今日になります。「八十八夜」は農業、茶文化、そして民間伝承と深く結びついており、日本の季節や文化のリズムを垣間見ることができます。

The Significance of the Eighty-Eighth Night

Hachijuhachiya isn't just a date; it's a celebration of spring's progress and a vital marker in Japan's agricultural calendar. It traditionally signifies the start of the main farming season, as the risk of late frosts, or "parting frosts," diminishes, and the weather begins to stabilize. This day was historically seen as a signal to farmers that it was safe to begin intensive labor on their crops.

八十八夜の意味

八十八夜は単なる日付ではなく、春の進行を祝うものであり、日本の農業カレンダーにおいて重要な目印です。伝統的には遅霜のリスクが減少し、気候が安定し始めるため、農作業の本格的な開始を意味していました。この日は歴史的に農家にとって作物の集中的な労働を始める安全な合図と見なされていました。

The Culinary Delight of Shincha

The Eighty-Eighth Night coincides with the season when shincha, or new tea, comes into the market. Drinking this first tea of the season is believed to bring health and well-being for the entire year, a belief that adds a ceremonial importance to its consumption.

新茶の味覚

八十八夜は新茶が市場に出回る季節と重なります。シーズン最初のお茶を飲むことは、1年間の健康と幸福をもたらすと信じられており、その消費に儀式的な重要性を加えています。

Historical Context and Lunar Calendars

Historically, Japan used the lunisolar calendar (old calendar), which based its days on the phases of the moon. "Nights" were considered significant, which explains why the counting of days as "eighty-eight nights" came to be.

歴史的文脈と太陰暦

歴史的に日本では、月の満ち欠けを基準にした太陰暦（旧暦）が使用されていました。「夜」は重要とされ、そのため「88日目＝八十八夜」と数えるようになったのです。