Small ways to cherish summer and welcome autumn
After Obon, although the sun's rays remain strong, a hint of autumn begins to drift about. The winds that blow in the mornings and evenings become a little softer, and in the garden, the sounds of bell crickets and crickets can be heard mixed with the chirping of cicadas, making us feel that "the seasons are truly changing." By incorporating this change into our lives, our daily lives become richer and more graceful.
The yearning for the end of summer and the joy of welcoming autumn. Being able to cherish both is a pleasure unique to this season. For example, in the decoration of a tea room or living room, gradually shifting from the glass tea caddies and tea bowls used in midsummer to warmer vessels will naturally bring about a sense of autumn. You can also remove the wind chimes hanging by the window and enjoy the autumn light through the shoji screens. The change in light from the strong summer sunlight to the soft western sun of autumn will completely transform the atmosphere of the room.
The changing of the seasons can be easily incorporated into the dining table as well. In midsummer, chilled barley tea or chilled sencha tea with ice floating in it is essential, while in early autumn the steam from roasted green tea or bancha tea becomes pleasant. Fruits also change from watermelon and peaches to pears, grapes, and chestnuts. With a little ingenuity in the tableware and presentation, your everyday dining table can be transformed into a small stage for a seasonal calendar.
For example, Japanese sweets enjoyed at tea ceremonies are also important in marking the beginning of each season. The sweets in the photo are called "kisewata," and represent the custom of covering chrysanthemum flowers with silk cotton and letting it soak up the night dew on the Double Ninth Festival (September 9th) on the lunar calendar. The design, featuring a pale pink chrysanthemum shape and softly layered white cotton, delicately reflects the vestiges of summer and the hints of autumn. As you savor the sweet treat, you will feel as if you are absorbing the poetry of the season into your mouth.
Choosing your clothing is also an important element in feeling the seasons. By gradually shifting from the thin linen and hemp that were popular in midsummer to soft cotton and lightweight wool, your body and mind will become accustomed to the season. Since it is still hot during the day, it is wise to "get creative with layering and accessories" rather than completely changing your clothes, which is a wise move for this time of year.
We also recommend adding fragrance to your life. In the summer, the cool scent of sandalwood or mint is pleasant, but as autumn approaches, calming scents reminiscent of chrysanthemums or bush clover, or slightly deeper fragrant woods, suit you best. Simply by changing the incense or aroma oils you burn, you can gently bring an autumnal feel to the air in your home.
These small touches don't have to be anything extravagant. Replacing a single flower, changing a container, or brewing tea while feeling the breeze coming in through the window—these little gestures bring the seasons into our lives. And the accumulation of these little actions will help us to prepare our minds for the next season, even as we yearn for the end of summer.
Being sensitive to the changing seasons is an aesthetic that has been deeply rooted in Japanese life since ancient times. Now, as summer and autumn intersect, is the time to open your five senses and enjoy the changes that are all around us.