People who come to live in or visit Japan from other countries often have a humorous encounter with a Japanese person who informs them that “Japan has four seasons.” This often leaves the foreigner confused as to how to react to something that’s experienced in quite a few countries on Earth to some extent. It’s kind of like saying, “You know, in Japan we have both day and night!”
However, if someone were to casually bring up the fact that Japan has five seasons, I’d find myself suddenly more intrigued. And, for better or worse, that may soon be the case as a fifth season is gradually appearing in some settings.
Clothing companies are among the businesses most sensitive to seasonal changes and thus among the first to consider adopting widespread use of a five-season system. This fifth season is generally being called “Intense Heat” (Mosho). I imagine that’s a working title, but looking out the window, I’ll be damned if I can come up with a more appropriate name.
Traditionally, in the apparel industry, the four seasons are designated three calendar months each, with “Summer” being given July, August, and September. However, recently temperatures we tend to associate with summer are occurring before and after this period, so some companies have begun calling May, June, and July “Early Summer / Mid-Summer” while August and September are the “Intense Heat” months.
One such company, Sanyo Shokai, is currently operating in its first Intense Heat season. They made the switch after finding that last year, their sales of cooler-temperature Autumn fashions during August and September fell short of expectations.
Some Japanese readers of the news are already practicing telling people from other lands how many seasons there are in their country, while others feel five seasons is way too generous.
“There are five seasons in Japan.”
“Japan is the only country with five seasons.”
“I think a more accurate system is spring, summer, scorching, humid, fall, and winter.”
“The other day it was 35 degrees [Celsius] at 8 p.m. and it’s September…”
“A boutique near my station is already in fall mode, but I can’t even look at long sleeves.”
“I always have to go from shorts to winter clothing in about a day.”
“I can’t accept this. Vivaldi taught us that there are only four seasons.”
“It’s really more like two seasons than four or five. Autumn’s only like four days long.”
I’m inclined to agree with that last comment, and in fact, rather than a five-season system, there are also some companies choosing to adopt a two-season release schedule of Winter and Summer. It sadly makes a lot of sense since I have a few thin, long-sleeve shirts in my closet that I’ve never used once because the periods when they could be worn seem to just fly by.
Another option would be to go way back to the old Chinese system of 24 seasons. It would probably be great for the fashion industry as we eagerly await what color is hot for keichitsu and if flared bottoms will make a comeback this kanro.
Source: Twitter/@nikkei_kotoba, TBS News Dig, Hachima Kiko
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- https://soranews24.com/2024/09/16/japanese-clothing-companies-adopt-fifth-intense-heat-season-because-summer-is-too-long/
12 Comments
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JeffLee
Gotta love going to Uniglo in late July every year and seeing their summer items in the clearance bins to make way for the newly arriving sweaters, scarves, woolen trousers and gloves.
I think it's always been that way. Uniglos in August have always seemed empty, as no one wants or needs the warm insulated clothing on offer when it's 35 degrees outside. I checked out their new store in Ho Chi Minh City, whose climate is all-round tropical, and there was a fairly large section for puffy winter coats. It was totally deserted. But, hey, it was January after all, never mind that it's a muggy 35 degrees outside.
What about rainy season? Isn't that five at least. Unfortunately, Japan's comfortable seasons are quite short and volatile, while the least comfortable seasons are the longest and the most stable.
Alfie Noakes
Yeah, I got some autumn clothes at half price in spring and some summer room wear at half price last month. Cashback!
Aly Rustom
Japan's autumns and springs are becoming shorter while summers and winters are becoming longer.
More extreme weather. Not good.
4Tno
Let's be fair. Summer started late.
virusrex
Japanese famous 4 seasons are unfortunately a thing of the past, people will have to adapt to the unescapable change to warm springs, long summers, deadly heat season, short autumns and barely below 20 degrees winters.
May not be that exaggerated, but that seasons are changing for the worse is no secret, and even with the many negative things this bring to Japan it is still lucky compared with countries fully in the tropics that will have to deal with seasons consisting of actual natural disasters.
burgers and beers
Gotta love going to Uniglo in late July every year and seeing their summer items in the clearance bins to make way for the newly arriving sweaters, scarves, woolen trousers and gloves.
Exactly right.
Negative Nancy
When I was a teenager I realized fashion was all a scam. I'm tall and slim and nothing ever fits properly. I buy clothes that will last me years and years. I layer up in winter, strip off to t-shirts and shorts in summer, but the components are in constant rotation. There is absolutely no need to buy clothes every season. 'Fast fashion' is a repulsive trend that promotes waste. Buy good quality clothes that last years and adjust to the weather as you see fit.
DanteKH
Is that the reason you can buy Halloween stuff from August and Christmas decorations from October?
Hello Kitty 321
The Rainy Season is the fifth season.
Mocheake
Beat me to it. Summer's a half season too.
1glenn
This whole thing reminds me of a conversation I had with a young man whilst in Alaska. To wit: "We have four seasons in Alaska; June, July, August, and Winter."
Ah_so
Coming from a country where you can have four seasons in a single day, I don't need a fifth.