Japan changed from a lunisolar calendar, Kyureki 旧暦, to the Gregorian calendar, Shinreki 新暦 .
This happened on January 1, 1873, as part of the Meiji government's modernization efforts. Japan must align with Western standards to avoid colonization and build a militarily strong country.
The old lunisolar calendar is approximately one month behind the Gregorian calendar.
Each month of Kyureki 旧暦 is given a Japanese name with seasonal, cultural, historical, and social connections.
The first month, Mutsuki 睦月, covers the present calendar’s late January through early March. Mutsu 睦 means establishing a good relationship with others at a New Year Gathering.
The second month is Kisaragi, which is from late February through early April on the present calendar. One interpretation of' Kisaragi is to wear layers to counter coldness.
The third month, Yayo i弥生, is from late March through early May on the present calendar. Yayoi 弥生 means the vegetation starts to grow.
The fourth month, Uzuki 卯月, is April in the present calendar. It celebrates the bloom of the Japanese snow flower, U卯.
The fifth month: Satsuki 皐月 corresponds to the present calendar’s May, and is the rice planting time.
The sixth month, Minazuki 水無月corresponds, corresponds to the present calendar’s June and is the time of water-drawing into the rice paddy.
The seventh month: Fumitsuki 文月, which occurs from late July through early September, is the time when the ears of rice are golden and ripe.
The eight month: Hazuki 葉月 , which corresponds to the present calendar’s late August through early October, is the time of fallen leaves 葉.
The ninth month: Nagatsuki 長月 corresponds to late September through early November. Naga 長 (long) implies longer night and shorter day.
The tenth month: Kannazuki 神無月 which occurs early November through early December. This is the month of all Shinto deities 神 from across Japan to gather at the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Izumo.
The eleventh month: Shimotsuki 霜月 corresponds to the present calendar’s December. Shimo 霜 (frost) implies the arrival of the frost season.
The twelfth month, Shiwasu 師走, corresponds to the present calendar’s December. Shiwasu 師走 means ‘Buddhist monks running around’. In ancient times, homes invited monks to perform end-of-year services.
