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A Whisper Hidden in Midsummer

Hello everyone. This is Ishio from Yokohama Meido Acupuncture Clinic.

Today is finally August 1st. As we enter August, the Japanese summer is showing an increasingly scorching severity. However, on the traditional calendar, August 7th marks Risshu—the first day of autumn.

It might seem impossible to feel autumn in 35°C (95°F) heat. But in Japan, there has long been a poetic culture of beautifully capturing the unseen signs of the seasons.

Over a thousand years ago, in the Kokin Wakashu (Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry), Fujiwara no Toshiyuki composed this beautiful Waka:

Aki kinu to / me ni wa sayaka ni / miene domo / kaze no oto ni zo / odorokarenuru (Though my eyes cannot clearly see that autumn has arrived, I am suddenly awakened by the sound of the wind.)

Even under the blazing sun with cicadas crying endlessly, the ancient Japanese people would gently close their eyes and listen closely.

Of course, in the face of today's brutally hot summers, there is no need to push yourself to enjoy the summer vibe at the risk of heatstroke. However, constantly fighting against nature deeply exhausts our minds and bodies.

What the Japanese people of over a thousand years ago teach us is the spirit of harmony and acceptance with nature. By turning our attention to the shape of the evening clouds or the subtle changes in the sound of the wind, we can hold a quiet space in our hearts, knowing that "this severe heat will not last forever; a new season is just around the corner."

We humans are also a part of nature. Perhaps the best secret to surviving a harsh season is to simply pause and accept it.