Emperor Saga

There is a record that it was held in 812 at Shinsenen Temple in Kyoto. However, at that time it was a somewhat different event from today’s way of enjoying cherry blossoms—reciting Chinese poems while viewing them—whereas the so-called banquet-style hanami is said to have been popularized in 1598 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period.

Netherlands

It originates from when the shogunate adopted Dutch backpacks as luggage carriers while introducing a new military system in the late Edo period. They began to be used for school after the Meiji era and became widespread nationwide around 1955 (Showa 30). What color was your randoseru?

horsetail

It was named that because the part called the “nutritive stem” resembles a cedar tree. In fact, it’s a plant that’s hard to eradicate; if rhizomes remain underground, it will keep sprouting even after being cut back. By the way, when written in kanji, tsukushi is “土筆,” which comes from its appearance—like a brush stuck into the soil.

the first strong spring wind

It refers to the strong winds that blow between the beginning of spring (Risshun) and the spring equinox. However, it doesn’t mean they occur without fail every year; the Japan Meteorological Agency has clear criteria for officially recognizing them. Incidentally, there’s a hit song by the group Candies titled “Haru Ichiban,” and it’s said that the agency established the definition of ‘haru ichiban’ in response to the song’s popularity.

Domyoji

Kantō-style sakura mochi, “Chōmeiji,” is made by wrapping sweet red bean paste in a wheat-flour crêpe, while Kansai-style sakura mochi, “Dōmyōji,” wraps the bean paste in glutinous rice. The name of Chōmeiji-style sakura mochi comes from it being sold in front of Chōmeiji Temple in Sumida Ward, Tokyo. Dōmyōji-style sakura mochi is named for the use of “Dōmyōji flour,” which was produced at Dōmyōji Temple in Fujiidera City, Osaka Prefecture.

dandelion

I bet some people thought, “I see—because the blooming flower looks like a lion’s mane.” But actually, “dandelion” means “lion’s tooth,” and it comes from the fact that the plant’s leaves are jagged like teeth.

vegetables

Generally, we define as “vegetables” those crops that are planted as seedlings in the field and harvested within a year, and as “fruits” those that continue to be cultivated for two years or more, such as tree-grown produce like apples and mandarins. So by that definition, watermelon and melon are considered vegetables.

noon

There are various theories, but it’s said to come from an old British holiday called Oak Apple Day. There’s also a theory that April Fools’ Day itself originated in France or India. In any case, April Fools’ includes the reveal as part of the fun—so be careful not to go overboard with the lies.

Uzuki (the traditional Japanese name for the fourth month, roughly April)

The origin comes from the fact that the plant called utsugi blooms in spring. Its flowers are called unohana, and the alternate name for the food ingredient okara comes from that. You might wonder, “Why not cherry blossoms?” But in the old lunar calendar, spring starts from late April, so utsugi, which blooms around that time, is the reason behind the name.

Diamond

Diamonds, which carry meanings such as “eternal love,” are the birthstone for April. When it comes to wedding rings, diamonds are likely what most people imagine—this stems from the gemstone’s symbolic meaning. By the way, March’s birthstone is aquamarine, and May’s is emerald.