52Cards
BeginnerDifficulty
78 minTime
Seasons of JapanThemes
Overview
This is a small, theme-first way to build comfort with seasons in Japanese culture.
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Previous deckShrines and SpiritsShrines and Spirits helps you recognize 52 kanji linked to shrines and spirits.Next deckMyth and Legend KanjiBuild your eye for myth and legend with 52 kanji.
Cards in This Deck
52 Cards
- 01月month, moonThe meaning "month" provides a natural foundation for tracking the passage of time across the seasons.
- 02風wind, air, styleUnderstanding "wind" is key to seasonal changes, from warm spring breezes to cold winter gusts that might cause a cold (風邪).
- 03花flowerLearning "flower" prepares you for the blooming nature of spring, a central image in Japanese seasons.
- 04雪snowThe kanji for "snow" completes the visual shift into the cold winter months.
- 05夜night, eveningRecognizing "night" adds depth to seasonal descriptions, from long winter nights to warm summer evenings.
- 06夕eveningThe concept of "evening" helps describe the fading daylight (夕日) that shifts dramatically throughout the year.
- 07雨rainWith words like 雨期 (rainy season), this kanji is vital for discussing Japan's wet and changing weather.
- 08雲cloudBeing able to read "cloud" expands your vocabulary for predicting weather changes before the rain starts.
- 09霞be hazy, grow dim, blurredThe idea of "mist" captures the hazy, blurred conditions often seen during transitional periods like spring.
- 10霜frostLearning "frost" moves the weather vocabulary directly into the biting cold of late autumn and winter.
- 11音sound, noiseIdentifying "sound" lets you describe the sensory details of the outdoors, such as the noise of the wind or rain.
- 12光ray, lightThe meaning "light" is essential for talking about bright summer days or the changing rays of the sun.
- 13影shadow, silhouette, phantomContrasting with light, "shadow" helps depict how silhouettes lengthen as the seasons shift.
- 14春springtime, spring (season)This kanji introduces the first of the four main seasons, marking the start of a warmer climate.
- 15夏summerFollowing spring, "summer" anchors your vocabulary for discussing hot weather and long breaks like 夏休み.
- 16秋autumnThe character for "autumn" connects to the cooling temperatures and words like 秋風 (autumn wind).
- 17冬winterCompleting the cycle, "winter" gives you the terminology needed for the coldest months of the year.
- 18桜cherryThe "cherry" blossom is the defining symbol of spring in Japan, strongly linking to the seasonal theme.
- 19菊chrysanthemumJust as cherry blossoms represent spring, the "chrysanthemum" is a deeply traditional marker of Japanese autumn.
- 20紅crimson, deep redThe color "crimson" beautifully describes the deep red leaves that define autumn foliage.
- 21梅plumThe "plum" blossoms are often the very first sign that the cold winter is finally ending.
- 22葉leaf, plane, lobeKnowing "leaf" lets you follow the changing colors and falling foliage as the weather cools.
- 23静quietThe concept of "quiet" pairs well with scenes of falling snow or the calm after a seasonal storm.
- 24芳perfume, balmy, favorableRecognizing "fragrant" provides vocabulary to describe the scent of blooming flowers in warmer months.
- 25昇rise upThe action to "rise up" is closely tied to the movement of the sun, shifting daily with the seasons.
- 26抑repress, well, nowThe idea to "repress" adds abstract vocabulary, showing how nature holds back before springing to life.
- 27招beckon, invite, summonMeaning "invite," this kanji evokes how pleasant weather draws people outside for seasonal gatherings.
- 28徴indications, sign, omenThe concept of a "sign" helps describe the subtle indications of weather shifting from one phase to the next.
- 29欠lack, gap, failThe meaning "lack" contrasts with the abundance of harvest, illustrating times when leaves or warmth are absent.
- 30致doth, do, sendThe meaning "cause" adds depth to your vocabulary for discussing the effects of intense weather conditions.
- 31盤tray, shallow bowl, platterThe "board" character steps slightly outside strict nature terms to introduce broader indoor hobbies during long winters.
- 32汚dirty, pollute, disgraceKnowing "dirty" helps describe the muddy aftermath of heavy spring rains or melting snow.
- 33徹penetrate, clear, pierceThe idea of sitting up "all night" connects to the experience of enduring the biting, penetrating cold.
- 34双pair, set, comparisonThe meaning "pair" offers a structural counterweight to solitary symbols like the moon in seasonal poetry.
- 35妥gentle, peace, satisfactoryThe idea of "gentle" or "peace" elegantly describes the calm, mild days of early autumn and late spring.
- 36旨delicious, relish, show a liking forEncountering "delicious" sets up vocabulary for the rich seasonal foods harvested throughout the year.
- 37句phrase, clause, sentenceAs a counter for haiku, this kanji links directly to Japan's rich tradition of writing poetry about the changing seasons.
- 38穴hole, aperture, slitThe image of a "cave" or "hole" calls to mind animals seeking shelter as the severe winter approaches.
- 39舗shop, store, paveLearning "pave" expands your setting from wild nature to how seasonal changes impact city streets.
- 40肥fertilizer, get fat, fertileThe concept of "fertile" soil and "fertilizer" is crucial for the agricultural cycle tied to Japan's climate.
- 41詐lie, falsehood, deceiveThe meaning "deceive" adds abstract complexity, much like how unpredictable spring weather can trick you into thinking it's warm.
- 42愚foolish, folly, absurdityThe idea of being "foolish" provides character and emotion to expressions about going out unprepared in winter storms.
- 43碁GoLike playing "Go" indoors, this kanji shifts the focus to quiet pastimes enjoyed during the rainy season.
- 44嫉jealous, envyThe emotion of "envy" broadens your advanced vocabulary, capturing complex human feelings alongside natural shifts.
- 45蒙Mongolia, be subjected to, darknessMeanings like "darkness" or "be subjected to" reflect the harshness of winter skies and enduring the freezing winds.
- 46撫pat, smooth down, strokeThe gentle action to "stroke" or "pat" mirrors the feeling of a mild spring breeze against the skin.
- 47貼stick, paste, applyKnowing how to "apply" or "paste" is useful for describing the hanging of paper lanterns or decorations during seasonal festivals.
- 48縞stripeThe meaning "stripe" helps expand your descriptive words for the changing patterns of light and shadows through autumn branches.
- 49瞭clearThe idea of being "clear" perfectly captures the crisp, unclouded skies often seen in deep winter.
- 50遡go upstream, retrace the pastThe action to "go upstream" or "retrace the past" brings a reflective mood as the year comes to a close.
- 51萎wither, droop, lameKnowing "wither" gives you the precise vocabulary to describe the wilting of flowers as autumn turns to cold.
- 52瑳polish, brilliant white luster of a gem, artful smileThe action to "polish" serves as a metaphor for refinement, finishing off this set much like winter finishes the year.