Translation guide
The first month of the traditional lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to late January through February in the Gregorian calendar. In modern Japanese, this is most commonly referred to as 睦月 (むつき), the traditional Japanese name, or 一月 (いちがつ) in lunar calendar contexts.
The most common and culturally natural way to refer to the first month of the lunar calendar in Japanese, especially in poetic, literary, or traditional contexts.
The traditional Japanese name for the first month of the lunar calendar. It is still used in modern Japanese for traditional events, almanacs, and poetic expressions. Literally means 'month of harmony/affection'.
睦月は旧暦の正月にあたります。
Mutsuki corresponds to the New Year period in the old calendar.
睦月の頃はまだ寒さが厳しい。
Around Mutsuki, the cold is still severe.
When you need to specify the first month of any lunar calendar in a more technical or explanatory way, without using the traditional Japanese name.
Literally 'January of the old calendar'. This is the most straightforward way to refer to the first month of the lunar calendar in modern Japanese, especially when explaining or comparing with the Gregorian calendar.
旧暦の一月は、現在の二月頃にあたります。
The first month of the old calendar corresponds to around February now.
旧暦の一月一日は旧正月です。
The first day of the first month of the old calendar is the Lunar New Year.
Uses 陰暦 (lunar calendar) instead of 旧暦 (old calendar). Slightly more technical and less common in everyday speech.
陰暦の一月は新月から始まります。
The first month of the lunar calendar begins with the new moon.
When referring to the first month in non-Japanese lunar calendars, such as the Chinese or Islamic lunar calendars.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the first month of the lunar calendar'. Used when you need to be explicit or when the traditional Japanese name is not applicable.
イスラム太陰暦の最初の月はムハッラムです。
The first month of the Islamic lunar calendar is Muharram.
睦月 is still widely recognized and used in Japan, especially in traditional arts, haiku, and when referring to the old calendar months poetically. However, in everyday conversation about dates, people use the Gregorian calendar. If you want to evoke a traditional or seasonal feeling, 睦月 is the best choice.
Directly translating 'first month' as 最初の月 (さいしょのつき) without context will sound unnatural. Japanese has specific terms for calendar months, so use 睦月 or 旧暦の一月 instead.