What Were the Old Names for the Months in Japanese?

In modern Japanese, the months are simply numbered from one to 12. For example, January is the first month of the year, therefore it is called "ichi-gatsu." 

The Old Japanese Calendar Names

There are also old names for each month. These names date back to the Heian period (794-1185) and are based on the lunar calendar. In modern Japan, they are not normally used when saying the date. They are written in a Japanese calendar, sometimes, along with the modern names.

The old names are also used in poems or novels. Of the 12 months, yayoi (March), satsuki (May), and shiwasu (December) are still referred to quite often. A fine day in May is called "satsuki-bare." Yayoi and satsuki can be used as female names.

Name Meanings

Each old name has meaning. 

If you know about the Japanese climate, you might wonder why minazuki (June) is the month of no water. June is rainy season (tsuyu) in Japan. However, the old Japanese calendar was about a month behind the European calendar. This means minazuki was from July 7th to August 7th in the past.

It is believed that all the Gods from throughout the country gathered at Izumo Taisha (Izumo Shrine) in kannazuki (October), and therefore, there were no gods for other prefectures.

December is the busy month. Everyone, even the most respected priests, prepares for the New Year.