noun
minor cold; solar term around January 6
One of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気), marking the start of the coldest period. Used in traditional calendars and seasonal references.
See also: 二十四節気
小寒は二十四節気の一つで、寒さが厳しくなる時期です。
Shōkan is one of the 24 solar terms, the period when the cold intensifies.
From Chinese 小寒 (xiǎohán), literally 'minor cold'. Adopted into the Japanese traditional calendar system.