also: じょげつ · きぬさらぎ
second month of the lunar calendar
Obsolete term for the second month of the old lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to late February to early April in the modern calendar. Used in historical contexts or traditional poetry.
As February approaches, I hope you are doing well.
Kisaragi refers to the second month of the lunar calendar.
Poetic or literary name for February, used in haiku, tanka, and other traditional poetry. Not used in everyday conversation.
Plum blossoms stand out against the February sky.
睦月 is the traditional name for the first lunar month, whereas 如月 refers to the second, so learners often mix up the order of these old month names.
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 form for the old lunar month name; also used poetically for February.
On'yomi reading; mainly encountered in historical or literary contexts.
Ateji spelling based on the folk etymology of layering clothes against the cold; rarely used.
Alternate reading for the ateji form; very rare.
Alternate ateji spelling; very rare.
The origin of きさらぎ is uncertain. One common theory is that it derives from 衣更着 (きぬさらぎ), meaning 'to wear more layers of clothing' because of the lingering cold. The kanji 如月 is a Chinese-derived name for the second lunar month.