Nihyakutoka -- The 210th Day

What Is Nihyakutoka?

Around August 31st is "Nihyakutoka" ("the 210th day") in Japan, a zassetsu (seasonal marker supplementing the twenty-four solar terms) falling exactly 210 days after Risshun. Because it coincides with the height of typhoon season, it has long been regarded by farmers as a day requiring caution.

A Day of Caution, Where the Rice Flowering Period Meets Typhoon Season

Nihyakutoka holds special significance because it overlaps with a critical period for farming.

• Its place on the calendar: falling 210 days after Risshun, it is counted among the "zassetsu," seasonal markers that supplement the twenty-four solar terms
• Its meaning for farmers: it falls right as rice plants are flowering and approaching harvest, a critical time when a typhoon could cause severe damage to the crop -- making this a day of long-standing caution
• Its connection to "Nihyakuhatsuka": "Nihyakuhatsuka" ("the 220th day"), ten days after Nihyakutoka, is likewise regarded as a day of typhoon caution

The "Wind Festival" Tradition, Passed Down Across the Country

Around the time of Nihyakutoka, farming communities across Japan have long held "kaze matsuri" ("wind festivals") to ward off damage from typhoons. The "Owara Kaze no Bon" festival in Toyama Prefecture is one well-known example of this seasonal tradition.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Check your typhoon preparedness, including emergency food and disaster supplies
• Learn about regional traditions tied to Nihyakutoka, like the "wind festivals"
• Learn about the relationship between rice farming and weather
• Build a habit of regularly checking weather forecasts and typhoon updates during this season

Wisdom Built From Generations of Experience

Nihyakutoka is a calendar day distilled from generations of experience -- the accumulated wisdom of those who learned to work alongside nature. Let August 31st be a chance to use this day of caution, passed down through the calendar, to review your own preparedness.