noun
fifth month of the lunar calendar
Obsolete term for the fifth month of the old lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to June in the modern calendar. Used in historical or poetic contexts.
旧暦の皐月は、今の六月にあたる。
The old lunar calendar's Satsuki corresponds to June today.
noun
A type of azalea (Rhododendron indicum) that blooms around May–June. Often written in kana.
庭にさつきが咲いている。
Satsuki azaleas are blooming in the garden.
Alternate kanji spelling; can be confused with 五月 read ごがつ, 'May'.
Rarely used kanji form.
The name さつき is said to derive from 早苗月 (さなえづき), the month of planting rice seedlings, which was later shortened. The kanji 皐月 is an ateji spelling.