In June, we have a rainy season called "Tsuyu" except in Hokkaido located in the most northern place in Japan. Tsuyu continues until the middle of July. In this season, our country is very hot and humid. It may be uncomfortable for people traveling around.
Tsuyu is really uncomfortable but it's important for us to get enough water to spend summer. If it rains a little, we are worried about lack of water.
Tsuyu often makes us think of hydrangeas since they bloom in this season. We can mainly see
two types of hydrangeas, one is theoretical hydrangea and the other is
calyx-hydrangea. Its flowers have different colors depending on the acidity
of soil. Some are blue, some are purple, and some are variations between
them.
This is "Teru Teru Bozu'. It's a doll
made from white paper or white cloth. When we wish for good weather, we
hang it under eaves or hang it out window of our house. Mainly, young
children do so, since they want to play outside.
These days, however, we seldom see
such scenes. It has becomes a part of our cultural heritage.
We also plant rice in this season. The color of all rice paddies changes to green. The Japanese diet is built around rice, so planting rice is important but hard work. Actually, it is said that all members of farming families, except for little children, used to plant rice seedlings when there is no planting machines.
We hope we have a good harvest in fall.