Japanese Tsuyu (梅雨) – Rainy Season

こんにちは〜 \(◕ω◕)/♥

梅雨 (つゆ – Tsuyu – Rainy Season) has started throughout parts of Japan.

The Rainy Season 梅雨 (tsuyu) in Japan is known for it’s beautiful Hydrangeas (above) called 紫陽花 (あじさい – ajisai) which come in many colors, the most common being blue, white, pink, and purple.

Another common association with Japanese 梅雨 (tsuyu) is snails or カタツムリ (katatsumuri) because there are a lot of them around during this time.

梅雨 (tsuyu) literally means plum rain. It was named this because Japanese plums ripen in this season.

梅 (ume) is a type of Japanese plum that is used to make things like 梅酒 (umeshu – plum wine) and 梅干し (umeboshi – pickled plums). This kind of plum is not eaten raw as it is very hard and acidic.

梅干し (umeboshi – pickled plum) with rice

Even though it is called the rainy season, it doesn’t actually rain every day.

There is a Japanese tradition to hand-make dolls out of white paper or cloth and hang them outside or by your window to keep the rain away and bring sunny weather.

These dolls are called てるてる坊主 (teru teru bōzu) which literally means “shine shine monk.”

Let’s enjoy some beautiful pictures of Japan in 梅雨 (tsuyu)!

You should watch this movie during 梅雨！
言の葉の庭 (koto no ha no niwa)

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