【Koyomi】 September 18, 2024

72 Kou｜The departure of the swallows（Tsubame saru)
七十二侯｜ 玄鳥去 （つばめさる）

The Significance of "Genchou Saru" in the Seasonal Calendar

"Genchou Saru" marks the last of the 72 micro-seasons in the Japanese calendar under the period of Hakuro (White Dew). During this time, the swallows that arrived in spring begin their journey back to warmer regions. These birds, having completed their task of raising their young, embark on a long journey to Southeast Asia or Australia. The distance they cover is astonishing—several thousand kilometers, sometimes traveling more than 300 kilometers in a single day. This migration marks the end of the summer season and the deepening of autumn.

季節の暦における「玄鳥去」の重要性

「玄鳥去」は日本の七十二候の中で、白露の末候を示すものです。この時期、春先にやってきたツバメたちは暖かい地域へと帰り始めます。子育てを終えたツバメたちは、東南アジアやオーストラリアまでの数千キロにも及ぶ長い旅に出発します。1日に300キロ以上移動することもあるこの旅は、夏の終わりと秋の深まりを告げるものです。

The Journey of Swallows: A Remarkable Migration

Swallows are known for their incredible migratory journey. When the autumn winds start to blow, swallows gather in massive flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands or tens of thousands, including young birds. They often choose cloudy or drizzly days for their departure, flying under the cover of clouds. As the sun sets, they ascend high into the sky, spiraling upwards until they disappear from sight, heading south. This spectacle reminds us of the vast distances these small birds travel and their remarkable endurance.

ツバメの旅：驚くべき渡り

ツバメはその驚くべき渡りで知られています。秋風が吹き始めると、ツバメたちは子ツバメを含む数千から数万羽の大集団となって旅立ちます。彼らは曇りの日や小雨の日を選んで飛び立ち、雲に隠れるように飛んでいきます。日が落ちるのを待って、ツバメたちは大きく旋回しながら見えなくなるほど高く高く舞い上がり、南へと移動していくのです。この光景は、小さな鳥たちが旅する広大な距離とその驚くべき持久力を私たちに思い起こさせます。

Swallows as Harbingers of Seasonal Change

Throughout history, swallows have been cherished as messengers of seasonal change. In ancient times, the 8th month of the lunar calendar was known as "Tsubame Sarizuki," which means "the month of the swallows' departure." The sight of swallows in the summer and their absence in autumn serve as natural indicators of the changing seasons. When we no longer see these birds swooping through the sky, we know that autumn has firmly taken hold. Their departure is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the seamless transition from one season to the next.

季節の変化を告げるツバメ

ツバメは古くから季節の移ろいを知らせてくれる鳥として親しまれてきました。陰暦8月のことを「つばめ去り月」と呼び、ツバメの旅立ちの月とされています。夏にツバメが飛び交う姿を見かけなくなると、秋が深くなってきた証拠でもあります。彼らの旅立ちは、生命の循環と季節の変わり目の絶え間ない流れを思い起こさせるものです。