Here in California, February is an odd month. The daffodils have started to sprout from the ground and the camellias are blossoming …
But an atmospheric river has just begun to hit the region and with it, rain. For at least the next five days. Rain.
If you’ll notice, the Japanese do not celebrate the same holidays as we do. There’s no Groundhog Day or Valentine’s Day or President’s Day. Instead the Japanese celebrate something called National Foundation Day on the 11th. It’s sort of like their July 4th. There will be parades, etc.
I’m not even going to attempt a “Japanese History for Dummies” lesson here because their history is mind boggling. February 24 they celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. Unlike our President’s Day, this day honors the birthday of their current emperor, Emperor Naruhito, who was born on Feb. 23, 1960. He seems like a nice enough fellow but from what I’ve read he has less power than King Charles of England.
February is from the Latin word meaning either purification or cleansing or fertility or all three for all I know. I awoke this morning feeling energetic for the first time since, well I don’t know when. Certainly since November 5th.
I hope you all awoke feeling energetic. Be prepared. February will go really fast and then comes the Ides of March! Et tu, who-know-who?
Saying nothing in particular 
HI Jan, it’s great to read a few bits of information about Japan here. Rain is wonderful.
I agree! Here in California we never complain about the rain. We’ve had too many droughts.
Exactly.
It’s the paucity of holidays these next 3.5 months that I take issue with. The distribution across the calendar sucks.
I think you meant 3.5 weeks! The Japanese more than make up for February’s lack of holidays. They even a holiday celebrating penises.
That calendar is lovely! I am HERE for the rain, yay! Here, it’s been light and just lovely. I love rain!
I guess the heavy stuff is coming in tomorrow but so far, not too bad here either. Wish it was a little warmer but that will come.
I agree that the Japanese symbol for February is elegant. Kind of the opposite of how the weather is around here during the month, but I’ll hang onto its beauty. Happy February!
Happy February to you too! I was trying to figure out why the Romans used the word for purification and it turns February used to be the last month on their calendar. March was the start of their year.
Oh that closing bird of paradise photo was stunning (and I like the yoga pose called bird of paradise…)
Also, Foundation Day was interesting to learn about and this was a very interesting post (even though you decided NOT to provide “Japanese History for Dummies” hahaha )
And glad you have some nice energy as Febuary started – it can be such a fickle month in many areas and we have one lone daffodil in bloom but a lot more abotu to emerge in a couple weeks.
Japanese history is quite complicated. The bird of paradise is an amazing plant. Seems more animal than vegetable!
well said
Brutus didn’t wait till
the Ides of March, he’s
already in the Whitehouse.
You mean Brutus Musk? Yeah I know.
I saw the first snowdrops today, which means spring around the corner,then I remembered it snowed in May here couple years back. Alas!
I live fairly close to the Sierra Nevada mountains where it’s been known to snow in July! Snowdrops don’t care! But I hope you have an early Spring!
Let us hope.