Japanese Symbol for

aki

autumn · fall · harvest

Readings

  • ONシュウshū
  • KUNあきaki

Meaning

Autumn, fall, harvest season. 秋 is the season of 紅葉 (kōyō — autumn leaves), harvest festivals, moon viewing, and cool, crisp air. The character combines 禾 (grain) with 火 (fire) — ripening crops under the harvest sun.

紅葉

kōyō

autumn leaves, fall foliage

秋分

shūbun

autumn equinox

食欲の秋

shokuyoku no aki

autumn of appetite (harvest season)

秋晴れ

aki-bare

clear autumn weather

秋風

aki-kaze

autumn breeze

実りの秋

minori no aki

fruitful autumn, harvest season

日本の秋 (nihon no aki — Japanese autumn) is famous worldwide for 紅葉 (kōyō — autumn foliage). Japan tracks the 紅葉前線 (kōyō zensen — autumn colour front) southward from Hokkaido, just as it tracks sakura northward in spring. 食欲の秋 (shokuyoku no aki — "autumn of appetite") reflects the Japanese love of seasonal eating — autumn brings chestnuts, mushrooms, and saury fish.

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