初はつ子ね

noun

first Day of the Rat of the New Year

Traditional Japanese calendar term. The first Day of the Rat (子の日) in the new year, associated with customs like gathering young pines and celebrating longevity.

• 初はつ子ねの日ひには、若わか菜なを摘つむ風ふう習しゅうがある。

  On the first Day of the Rat of the New Year, there is a custom of picking young greens.

noun

first Day of the Rat of the month (esp. the 11th month)

More general use: the first Day of the Rat in any month, but especially noted for the 11th month in traditional contexts. Rare outside historical or cultural references.

• 旧きゅう暦れき11月がつの初はつ子ねは、特とく別べつな祭まつりの日ひとされていた。

  The first Day of the Rat in the 11th month of the old calendar was regarded as a special festival day.