🌼 Traditional Japanese Month Names (和風月名)

Before Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in Meiji 6 (1873), each month had a beautiful poetic name called wafu-getsumei (和風月名). These names reflect the seasonal rhythms, agricultural activities, and cultural events of the old lunisolar calendar. Even today, these names survive in literature, poetry, tea ceremony, and seasonal greetings.

The twelve traditional month names are:

Many months also have alternative names (異称). For example, January is also called Mutsuki (睦月) or Hatsu-haru (初春, "first spring"); August is Hazuki (葉月) or Hanami-zuki in some regions. These names appear in classical poetry (和歌, waka), haiku seasonal words (季語, kigo), and even modern business communications that want to sound elegant.

The traditional month names originated from the old lunisolar calendar, but after the Meiji calendar reform (1873), they were mapped directly onto the Western months. So Mutsuki (睦月) = January, Kisaragi (如月) = February, and so on. The mapping is 1:1 — there's no complex calculation needed.

However, the seasonal meaning of each name originally referred to the lunisolar calendar's timing, which was about 3-4 weeks earlier than the Western calendar. So "Yayoi" (弥生, new growth) originally meant the lunar 3rd month (roughly late March to late April in the Western calendar). After the reform, it was reassigned to the entire Western month of March, when early spring growth is just beginning.

The most famous alternative naming is October: 神無月 (Kannazuki) everywhere except Izumo (Izumo Taisha area), where it's called 神在月 (Kamiarizuki) — because all the gods travel to Izumo for their annual meeting, leaving the rest of Japan "without gods." For the era names that span these months, and the seasonal markers like Setsubun, see our related tools.

1. Pick a month (1-12) or type a date to see its traditional name.
2. The tool shows the wafu-getsumei (和風月名) with reading and meaning.
3. Alternative names (異称) and key seasonal events are also shown.
4. Use the traditional name in formal writing, poetry, or seasonal greetings.
5. Combine with the rokuyo calendar for full traditional date context.

What are wafu-getsumei (和風月名)?

Wafu-getsumei are the traditional poetic names for each of the twelve months, used in Japan before the 1873 calendar reform. Names like Mutsuki (睦月, January) and Shiwasu (師走, December) reflect seasonal rhythms and cultural events. They survive in literature, poetry, tea ceremony, and formal writing.

Why is December called Shiwasu (師走)?

Shiwasu literally means 'priests running.' The idea is that even Buddhist monks, who are supposed to be calm and meditative, are rushing around with year-end errands. It humorously captures December's busyness. The name is still widely recognized today.

Does 水無月 (Minazuki) mean 'month without water'?

No! The 無 (na) here is a possessive particle meaning 'of,' not 'without.' So Minazuki means 'month OF water.' June is the rainy season (梅雨, tsuyu) in most of Japan, so the name makes sense. This is a common misunderstanding even among Japanese speakers.

Why is October called Kannazuki ('month without gods')?

In tradition, all the gods (神) travel to Izumo Taisha in October for their annual meeting. So the rest of Japan is 'without gods' (神無月). Only in the Izumo region is it called 神在月 (Kamiarizuki, 'month with gods').

Are these month names still used today?

Yes, but mainly in cultural contexts: formal letters, seasonal greetings, haiku poetry (as kigo/seasonal words), tea ceremony themes, and literature. In everyday speech and business, most people use the Western month numbers (1月, 2月, etc.), but they recognize the traditional names.

How do the traditional names relate to the old lunisolar calendar?

The names originally referred to the lunisolar calendar months, which were about 3-4 weeks earlier than the Western months. After the Meiji reform (1873), the names were mapped 1:1 onto Western months. So Mutsuki (originally lunar January = ~February) became Western January.

Traditional month names are still used in formal Japanese writing, seasonal greetings, and cultural contexts. For example, a formal business letter in January might use "睦月" instead of "1月." In tea ceremony, seasonal themes and sweets (和菓子) are named after the month names. Haiku poets use these names as kigo (季語, seasonal words).

A fun mnemonic: 師走 (Shiwasu, December) literally means "priests running" — even Buddhist monks, who are supposed to be calm, are rushing around with year-end errands. This perfectly captures December's busyness. 水無月 (Minazuki, June) is often misunderstood: the 無 (na) is not "without" but a possessive particle (like "no"), so it means "month OF water," not "month without water." June is the rainy season (梅雨, tsuyu) in most of Japan. For the rokuyō calendar and public holidays that fall within these months, see our related tools.