The rainy season is still continuing in many regions this year, and the heat is intense.

Students, are you excited about the upcoming summer vacation?

This time, we will look at the 11th season of the 24 solar terms.

I will talk about "Shosho" .

Xiaoshu refers to the period from July 7th to July 22nd every year .

Since it is written as "small and hot," it means just before it gets really hot.

This is usually the time when the rainy season ends, so many people will be feeling the arrival of summer.

According to tradition, this is an important season for sending summer greetings and mid-year gifts.

This is the season when summer vegetables are delicious, and a beer after a sweaty day at work is especially delicious.

During the Shosho period, foods that go well with beer, such as edamame beans and cucumbers , are in season.

One of the attractions of this dish is that it's easy to enjoy, just boil the edamame in salt and rub the cucumber in salt! Replenishing your salt intake will also help prevent heatstroke!

Seasonal flowers

Seasonal flowers include lotus and morning glories , which bloom beautifully following the summer solstice.

Both flowers bloom in the morning, so if you want to see them, get up early.

A walk in the summer morning is a pleasant experience.

Be sure to come and see these special flowers that can only be seen at this time of year!

What's in Season

Tanabata on July 7th also falls during the period of Shosho.

There are various theories about the origin of Tanabata, which say it is a combination of the Chinese star legend in which Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet in the Milky Way and a ritual called Kikoden, which is a prayer for improvement in various skills.

During the Edo period in Japan, the festival was designated as one of the five seasonal festivals known as the "Bamboo Festival." People would hang five colored strips of paper (blue, red, yellow, white, and black), which are also mentioned in the Tanabata song, on the bamboo to pray for improvement in various skills, and it is also a popular event to ward off evil spirits.

It's also nice to decorate your living room with bamboo and enjoy the seasonal changes while celebrating festivals.

by the way, "Bamboo" Have you ever wondered about the differences between different types of bamboo ?

In conclusion, there doesn't seem to be any strict difference.

The main difference is that they grow larger and their skin peels off. "Bamboo" .

It is said that a bamboo is one that does not peel off even when it grows large .

but, Grown with skin on "Yadake" , Skin peels off There are exceptions such as "Okamezasa," so it seems correct to say that there is no clear difference .

The head office has set up its annual Tanabata decorations.
Local residents are also invited to write on tanzaku, creating excitement throughout the community.