News&Articles

Hello everyone! If you are currently in Japan, I am sure you are feeling the intense summer heat and humidity day after day.

In the traditional calendar, which divides the year into 24 solar terms, July 22nd marks the beginning of Taisho (大暑). Written literally as "Major Heat," it represents the period when the summer heat is at its most severe. During this season, the extreme contrast between the scorching heat outdoors and the highly air-conditioned indoors can easily exhaust your body.

In Japan, we call this condition Natsubate (夏バテ), or "summer fatigue." It is characterized by feelings of lethargy, a loss of appetite, and a general heaviness in the body.

The traditional approach to surviving this heat is not to shock the body, but to treat it gently. Drinking ice-cold beverages can rapidly chill your internal organs and actually worsen your fatigue. Instead, try eating seasonal summer vegetables to cool down. These vegetables naturally reduce body heat and provide essential hydration. It might be an unfamiliar habit for those of you from overseas, but I highly recommend giving it a try.

懶搖白羽扇 (Lazily waving a white feather fan,)

裸袒青林中 (Relaxing comfortably in the deep green woods.)

脱巾掛石壁 (Taking off my headband and hanging it on a rock wall,)

露頂灑松風 (Baring my head to the refreshing pine wind.)

Li Bai is a legendary poet who left behind countless beautiful works. In this particular poem, we can vividly picture him on a sweltering summer day, escaping into nature to feel the cooling breeze blowing through the forest.

Even in modern times, we often feel the exact same way when we pause for a moment to rest and cool down in a sudden patch of shade escaping the harsh summer sun. Being able to share the exact same feelings with someone from over a thousand years ago is one of the most beautiful aspects of poetry.

I completely understand how frustrating and oppressive the Japanese summer heat can be. In modern Japan, this intense heat is likely to continue for another month or two. Let's make sure to stay in cool environments, hydrate frequently, and get through this season together!