January (Mu Yue):
There are different opinions on the origin of Mutu Yue. Among them, the most powerful theory is that "Musuki" (the month of harmony), which means "family and friends gather together to hold a banquet", is its origin.
February (like the moon):
It can also be written as "silk-changing month" or "clothing-changing month".
The Chinese character for "Ruyue" is an extension of the Chinese nickname for February and has nothing to do with the Japanese pronunciation of "きさらぎ". There are several theories about the origin of the name "きさらぎ":
. February of the lunar calendar is still cold in Japan, and it is the month when you need to wear more clothes (きぬ) - "dress more (きさらぎ)"
． The month when new buds appear on the grass and trees - "The Moon on the Grass and Trees (くさきはりづき)"
. In the eighth month of the lunar calendar the year before last, geese came flying, and this month even more swallows came flying - "来了来(きさらぎ)"
. The month when the weather will gradually get better - "Chigenrai (きさらぎ)"
Other names include "umemizuki (むめみつき)" and "kimutsuki (このめつき)". February of the lunar calendar coincides with March of the new calendar, which is when plum blossoms bloom.
March (Yayoi):
The most powerful explanation for the origin of Yayoi is: the month when vegetation almost begins to grow lushly - "木草yayōsuki (きくさい)" "やおひづき", there are almost no different ways to say it.
Others include Hanazuki (かげつ), Katsuki (かげつ), Hanamiyue (はなみづき), Mengmenzuki (ゆめみつき), Sakurazuki (さくらづき), Late Spring (ぼしゅん ) and other aliases.
April (Uzuki):
The name of Uzuki comes from "the month when Uno flowers (like crystal flowers) bloom" and "Uno Flower Moon (うのはなづき)" In short, this theory has become a conclusion. In addition to "Uno Hanazuki", there are also "Uzuki", which is called "Uzuki" because "the fourth position in the twelve zodiac signs is Mao"; and "Zangzuki (うづき)", which comes from "the month of planting seedlings", and "Zhizuki (Planting Moon)". "うゑつき"), "Tianzhi Miaoyue (たうなへづき)", "Miao Zhiyue (なへうゑづき)" and other sayings. There are also other names such as "summer early month (なつはづき)".
May (Satatsuki):
The origin of "さつき" is said to be the month of rice transplanting - "Sansee Moon (さなへつき)". Another theory is that the character "サ" itself has the meaning of planting rice, so just "さつき" can represent the "month of planting rice". In Nihon Shoki and other historical books, "May" is also written as "さつき"; however, it was written as "Satsuki" later. In addition, "Gaoyue" is also a flower name. It can also be called "iris moon (あやめづき)".
June (Waterless Moon):
There are many opinions on the origin of Waterless Moon. Although it is generally interpreted literally as "the month when the rainy season has passed and the water sources have dried up", on the contrary, there is another saying that it means "the month when the rice transplanting is completed and water needs to be diverted into the fields", "Mizu Zhangyue" (みづはりづき) "Suigetsu (みなづき)" is also very powerful. Since it became another name for June in the New Calendar during the plum rain season, there are also explanations as "the month when the sky is empty of water due to the plum rain" and "the month when water is needed for transplanting rice seedlings".
July (Wen Yue):
It is called Wen Yue because people write poems on Chinese Valentine's Day (July 7) and tie small notes to make them float in the night breeze. Comes from the custom of flying in the middle. However, the custom of Tanabata was introduced to Japan from China during the Nara period. Originally, this custom did not exist in Japan. Therefore, there is also a saying that "the month when rice contains ears" - "the month when rice contains ears" - "the month when ears contain ears". It is also known as "Autumn Moon" and "Nanaye Moon".
August (leaf month):
There are many theories about the origin of leaf month. Among them, the most famous ones are "the moon when the leaves of the trees turn red and fall" - "the moon when the leaves of the trees turn red and fall". It is also known as "the moon meets the moon (つきみづき)".
September (long month):
The most powerful explanation for the origin of the long month is the abbreviation of "Night Changyue (よながつき)". In addition, there are also abbreviations from "rice-cutting moon (いねかりづき)" (rice-cutting month) to "ねかづき", then to "ながつき", and to "rice-ripening month (いねあがりづき)" One thing to say. It can also be called "Sleep Moon (ねざめつき)".
October (Kanna Moon):
The etymology of "Kanna Moon" has the following versions, no matter which one is consistent with the two words "Kanna Moon".
． Brewing Month (かみなんづき): the month when new wine is brewed from new grain
. God's Taste Moon (かんなめづき): The month of preparation for Shin Taste (にいなめ)
Note: Shin Taste - a ceremony in which the emperor worships the gods with new grains and thanks for the harvest.
． 神な月 (かみなづき): means "神の月"
. Thunderless Moon (かみなしづき): The Thunderless Moon
A common saying is that all the gods from all over the country gathered in the Izumo Grand Shrine in Izumo to discuss the events of this year. There are no gods outside the clouds, so it is called "Kannazuki"; but in Izumo, it is also called "Kamizai Yue (かみありづき)".
November (Frost Moon):
Frost Moon is literally the month of frost.
There is also the abbreviation of "Food Moon (おしものづき)"; there is also a saying that it evolved from the sounds of "Withered Moon (しぼむつき)" and "End of the Moon (すえつつき)". Other nicknames include "Kagura Month (かぐらづき)" and "Chizuki (ねづき)".
December (teacher’s departure):
There are different opinions on the origin of “teacher’s departure”. Generally speaking, since December is the end of the year and everyone is very busy, even the masters who usually don’t travel much are running around, so it is called "Shizhi (しすう)", and later became "Shizhi (しは)" す)". In the more common saying, "Master" refers to the Master (monk). The Master travels constantly to go to various houses to recite sutras, so he is called "Shi Chiyue (しはせつき)". Another theory is that "Nian fruit つる月 (としはつるつき)" and "为 fruit つ月 (しはつつき)" (I think it means "one year older after this month") evolved into " "しはす" finally became the Chinese character "Shizai". It can also be called "Midongzuki (みふゆつき)".