late autumn; Indian summer; 10th month of the lunisolar calendar
Refers to the 10th month of the traditional lunisolar calendar (roughly November), or to the warm, spring-like weather that can occur in late autumn. Often used in the phrase 小春日和 (こはるびより, 'Indian summer weather').
See also: 小春日和
小春日和の穏やかな午後、公園を散歩した。
On a mild Indian summer afternoon, I took a walk in the park.
旧暦の小春は、今の十一月にあたる。
The old calendar's koharu corresponds to November today.
mild late autumn day; Indian summer day
Standard kanji spelling; commonly used in seasonal expressions.
Literally 'little spring', from 小 (small, little) + 春 (spring). The name reflects the warm, spring-like weather that sometimes occurs in late autumn.