also: いやおい
third month of the lunar calendar
Obsolete term for the third month of the old lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to April in the modern calendar.
The old lunar calendar's Yayoi corresponds to late March through late April today.
Yayoi period; Yayoi culture
Historical term for the Japanese archaeological period (ca. 300 BCE–300 CE) and its associated culture, known for the introduction of wet-rice agriculture and metal tools.
See also: 弥生時代
Rice cultivation spread during the Yayoi period.
This pottery clearly shows the characteristics of Yayoi culture.
thick growth (of grass, etc.)
Only with reading いやおい
Archaic meaning, used only with the reading いやおい. Not used in modern Japanese.
In old Japanese, 'iyaoi' meant thick growth of plants.
弥生 is the traditional name for the third lunar month, coming right after 如月, and the two are easily confused as adjacent old month names.
Standard kanji spelling for the historical period and the old month name.
Archaic reading for the obsolete 'thick growth' sense.
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in contexts where the kanji might be unfamiliar.
The origin of the word is uncertain. It is traditionally associated with the phrase 弥生 (iyaoi) meaning 'more and more growth' in reference to spring vegetation, but the exact derivation is unclear.