When cherry blossoms fall, willow trees sway in the wind, and Spring rains begin, swallows ride the warm southern breeze back to Japan. After spending Winter in southern islands, swallows travel thousands of kilometers. Gliding effortlessly over rice paddies, their arrival marks the true start of farming season.

Kaminari, thunder, is a homonym for the roar of the gods. With Spring thunder the mountain god descends to watch over rice fields, ensuring a bountiful harvest. We say that “a year with many thunderstorms will be a year of abundant harvest.” Depicted as an ogre spirit striking drums that he carries on his back to produce thunder, Raijin, the thunder god is a classic figure in Japanese mythology.

As the Spring Equinox passes and the days become ever so slightly longer, the the cherry tree’s petals begin to unfold, and hanami season begins. An often overnight shift that signals that we are properly mid-Spring. In this liminal space between cold and warmth, we navigate our collective anticipation. The Japan Meteorological Agency marks sakura season when five or six blossoms appear on a designated tree.

Extremely resourceful birds, sparrows leverage the nearest available materials to build the nest to nurture their young fledgling. These sparrow nests also serves a incredible hints as to how we can create better sustainable homes.

Caterpillars that have endured the Winter months, emerge as butterflies this time of year. It’s a charming season when flora of all sorts are dressed in the fluttering of butterflies.

During this season peach buds flower. The second of the trifecta of Spring tree flowers that are celebrated this time of year. In the Japan of yesteryear, “smiling” referred to “blossoming”, which is why the term is used to communicate this microseason.