【二十四節気 / The 24 Solar Terms】白露（Hakuro / White Dew）

Hakuro — White Dew

Around September 8–23

Hakuro, or “White Dew,” is the time of year when the clear, cool air of autumn finally begins to arrive.

As its name suggests, morning dew glistens on the tips of leaves and flower petals.

Although the lingering heat of summer can still be felt during the day, mornings and evenings become noticeably cooler, and the sound of insects fills the night air. The sky appears higher and clearer, the moon shines more brightly, and the landscape gradually takes on the atmosphere of autumn.

Hakuro is a seasonal marker that makes the changing season visible. Sensing the arrival of autumn in a single drop of dew may reflect Japan’s delicate appreciation of nature.

 

The 72 Microseasons

Around September 8–12: Kusa no Tsuyu Shiroshi — Dew Glitters White on the Grass

This is the time when dew resting on blades of grass shines white in the morning light.

The glistening droplets hold a fleeting beauty, disappearing almost as soon as the sun touches them.

It is a scene that seems to capture the arrival of autumn itself, signaling that the season is deepening day by day.

 

Around September 13–17: Sekirei Naku — Wagtails Call

This is the time when wagtails call to one another beside rivers and along the paths between rice fields.

Their charming habit of bobbing their tails has long made them a familiar sight in Japan, and the birds even appear in Japanese mythology.

When their light calls echo through the clear autumn sky, they bring a refreshing sense of calm.

 

Around September 18–22: Tsubame Saru — Swallows Depart

This is the time when the swallows that arrived in spring begin their journey south.

The sight of them resting together beneath the eaves or along power lines will soon disappear for another year. Their migration reminds us that the seasons are steadily moving forward. They seem to leave behind both the sadness of parting and the promise of their return next spring.

 

Seasonal Foods and Traditions

Around Hakuro, the abundance of autumn begins to appear more fully on the table.

Vegetables such as taro, pumpkin, lotus root, and mushrooms come into season. Their rich, comforting flavors are especially well suited to simmered dishes and warming soups on long autumn evenings.

Grapes, pears, and figs are also at their best. Their fresh sweetness gently restores the body after the heat of summer. Chestnuts and persimmons gradually begin to appear as well, bringing even more flavors to look forward to in autumn.

Among seasonal seafood, Pacific saury becomes increasingly rich and flavorful, while salmon and squid also come into season. The aroma of grilled fish awakens the appetite and brings the character of autumn to the dining table.

Jugoya, the traditional celebration of the harvest moon, sometimes falls during this period. People admire the brilliant full moon in the clear night sky, decorate their homes with pampas grass, and offer rice dumplings and seasonal fruit. It is an elegant custom that has long invited people to experience the season beneath the moonlight.

Rice harvesting also begins in some regions at this time, and fields glowing golden in the sunlight evoke one of Japan’s most familiar rural landscapes.

 

Hakuro in Summary

Hakuro is a time when subtle signs of autumn begin to appear throughout the natural world.

The glimmer of dew, the sound of insects, and the departure of swallows are all fleeting moments, yet each one speaks clearly of the season’s steady progress.

The transition from summer to autumn is not dramatic. Yet when we pause to notice the coolness of the early morning air or the clarity of the night sky, the changing season reveals itself as something remarkably rich and profound.

The earth nurtures its harvest, the sky becomes clear, and the wind carries a new stillness. Hakuro stands at the entrance to autumn, inviting us to notice the quiet rhythm of nature.

When you find a single drop of dew, why not pause for a moment and look closely?
Within its fleeting light, all the beauty of autumn may be held.