May Storm Day (Meisutōmu Dē)

What Is May Storm Day?

May 13 is known in Japan as "May Storm Day" (Meisutōmu Dē). It falls 88 days after Valentine's Day (February 14), and — playing on the seasonal saying "hachijū-hachiya no wakare-jimo" ("the parting frost of the 88th night") — it is said to be "the best day to bring up a breakup." Who created the day is unclear, but according to the Japan Anniversary Association it was already in use around 1991, and it appears in Japanese anniversary reference books from the early 1990s. It is a day of Japanese origin.

Where the Day Comes From

Both the date and the name have their own origins.

• "The parting frost of the 88th night": Hachijū-hachiya, the 88th night counted from Risshun (the start of spring), falls around May 2 each year, and frost is traditionally said not to fall after it. This "parting frost" was linked to parting lovers, and the day 88 days after Valentine's Day became the "day for breaking up."
• A sequence of couples' days: In Japan, Valentine's Day (February 14), White Day (March 14), and Orange Day (April 14) are followed by May Storm Day. June 12 is "Lovers' Day" (恋人の日).
• The Gunma theory: The Japan Anniversary Association notes a theory that the day spread from high school girls in Gunma Prefecture, but no records confirming this have been found.

"May Storm" as a Weather Term

"May storm" (メイストーム) began as a meteorological term in Japan.

• Meaning: It refers to low-pressure systems that develop rapidly over the Sea of Japan and northern Japan from late April through May, and the gales they bring. It is also called "haru no arashi" (spring storm).
• The storm behind the name: On May 9-10, 1954, a low-pressure system intensified rapidly off northern Japan and caused the loss of many fishing boats. This storm is said to be the origin of the term.
• Japanese-coined English: "May storm" is a Japanese coinage (wasei-eigo) and is not a standard weather term in English-speaking countries.

Fascinating Facts About May Storms

• As strong as a typhoon: Spring lows sometimes develop to typhoon-like strength and have caused mountain and maritime accidents. Checking the forecast is essential for hiking or fishing trips at this time of year.
• Hachijū-hachiya and tea: The 88th night that inspired the date is also known as the season when the first tea leaves of the year are picked.
• May sunshine: UV levels rise noticeably in May, so sun protection is worth remembering on the clear days after a storm.
• A rare "parting" day: Most anniversaries celebrate something, so May Storm Day, with its theme of breaking up, is often featured as a piece of trivia.

Tips for Spending May Storm Day

• Use the day to take stock of your relationships and consider whether any of them are asking too much of you.
• Treat it as a day for honest conversation rather than endings — talk openly with a partner or friend about how things have been.
• Prepare for spring storms by checking your weather and disaster-alert apps.
• Write down how you are feeling in a notebook to help sort out your thoughts.

After the Storm, the Sky Clears

May Storm Day is an unusual anniversary with "parting" as its theme. Still, the point is not to force a relationship to end, but to face your feelings honestly. Just as a spring storm clears the air, a frank conversation can sometimes leave a relationship feeling fresher.