お問い合わせJapanese Language Knowledge｜Do You Know the Difference Between “Ichigatsu” and “Mutsuki”?
2026/10/20
Did you know that in Japan, each month has a traditional name that has been used since ancient times?
People usually say “January,” “February,” and so on, but Japan also has traditional names for the months, such as “Mutsuki” (睦月) and “Kisaragi” (如月).
These names are called wafū getsumei (和風月名), or traditional Japanese names for the months. They are connected to the seasons and the way people lived in the past.
① Traditional Japanese Names for the Months from January to December
※There are various theories about the meanings and origins of these names.
Traditional Japanese month names, on the other hand, are used in seasonal greetings in letters, haiku poetry, and Japanese-style calendars.
For example, the word “Shiwasu” may be used to describe the busy period in December. A traditional Japanese sweet eaten in June is also called “Minazuki.”
In your country, does each month have a special name? Are there any words that describe the seasons?
Through the Japanese language, let’s discover the differences between Japanese culture and the culture of your own country!
People usually say “January,” “February,” and so on, but Japan also has traditional names for the months, such as “Mutsuki” (睦月) and “Kisaragi” (如月).
These names are called wafū getsumei (和風月名), or traditional Japanese names for the months. They are connected to the seasons and the way people lived in the past.
① Traditional Japanese Names for the Months from January to December
| Month | Common Japanese Name | Traditional Japanese Name | Meaning / Origin |
| January | いちがつ (ichigatsu) | Mutsuki (睦月／むつき) | A month when families and relatives gather happily together |
| February | にがつ (nigatsu) | Kisaragi (如月／きさらぎ) | A month when the cold remains and people wear extra layers of clothing |
| March | さんがつ (sangatsu) | Yayoi (弥生／やよい) | The season when plants and trees grow |
| April | しがつ (shigatsu) | Uzuki (卯月／うづき) | The season when unohana flowers bloom |
| May | ごがつ (gogatsu) | Satsuki (皐月／さつき) | The time for planting rice |
| June | ろくがつ (rokugatsu) | Minazuki (水無月／みなづき) | “The month of water,” associated with bringing water into rice fields |
| July | しちがつ (shichigatsu) | Fumizuki (文月／ふみづき) | A month associated with the custom of writing poems and wishes for the Tanabata Festival |
| August | はちがつ (hachigatsu) | Hazuki (葉月／はづき) | The season when leaves begin to fall |
| September | くがつ (kugatsu) | Nagatsuki (長月／ながつき) | The season when nights grow longer |
| October | じゅうがつ (jūgatsu) | Kannazuki (神無月／かんなづき) | A month associated with the legend that the gods gather in Izumo |
| November | じゅういちがつ (jūichigatsu) | Shimotsuki (霜月／しもつき) | The season when frost appears |
| December | じゅうにがつ (jūnigatsu) | Shiwasu (師走／しわす) | The busy period at the end of the year |
② How Are These Names Used in Everyday Life?
In everyday conversation and school schedules, the usual way to refer to the months is to say “April,” “July,” “December,” and so on.Traditional Japanese month names, on the other hand, are used in seasonal greetings in letters, haiku poetry, and Japanese-style calendars.
For example, the word “Shiwasu” may be used to describe the busy period in December. A traditional Japanese sweet eaten in June is also called “Minazuki.”
③ Discover Japan’s Seasons and Culture!
Traditional Japanese month names reflect seasonal changes and the traditional way of life in Japan.In your country, does each month have a special name? Are there any words that describe the seasons?
Through the Japanese language, let’s discover the differences between Japanese culture and the culture of your own country!
