adverb, noun
sixth month of the lunar calendar
Obsolete term for the sixth month of the old lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to July in the modern calendar.
旧暦の水無月は今の七月にあたる。
The old lunar calendar's Minazuki corresponds to July in the modern calendar.
adverb, noun
Poetic or traditional name for June in the modern Gregorian calendar. Often used in literary contexts, haiku, or seasonal greetings.
水無月の候、皆様にはますますご清栄のこととお喜び申し上げます。
In this month of June, I hope you are all doing well.
水無月に入り、梅雨の季節となりました。
June has arrived, bringing the rainy season.
noun
Minazuki sweet; triangular rice jelly with adzuki beans
A traditional sweet made of triangular rice jelly topped with adzuki beans, eaten in June to ward off evil and pray for health.
夏越の祓には水無月を食べる習慣があります。
There is a custom of eating Minazuki sweets during the Nagoshi no Harae purification ritual.
和菓子屋で水無月を買って帰った。
I bought some Minazuki sweets at the Japanese confectionery shop and went home.
Kana spelling is common in modern contexts, especially for the sweet.
The name 水無月 (month without water) is traditionally explained as the month when water is scarce after the rainy season, though some theories suggest the 無 is an old possessive particle meaning 'of water', making it 'month of water'. The exact origin is uncertain.