midnight period; midnight service
Buddhist term referring to the period around midnight, or a service held at that time. Cross-referenced with 六時, the six daily prayer times.
See also: 六時
winter solstice
Archaic term for the winter solstice. Modern Japanese uses 冬至.
The midnight service is held late at night.
In old calendars, 中夜 sometimes referred to the winter solstice.