蛙かえるの目め借かり時どき

expression, noun

springtime mating of frogs

A poetic seasonal phrase (kigo) for late spring, referring to the time when frogs are active and mating. The name literally means 'time when frogs borrow eyes,' based on a folk belief that frogs take people's eyes during this period. Used in haiku and traditional poetry.

• 蛙かえるの目め借かり時どきになると、田たんぼからにぎやかな鳴なき声ごえが聞きこえてくる。

  When the springtime mating of frogs arrives, lively croaking can be heard from the rice paddies.

• この俳はい句くの季き語ごは「蛙かえるの目め借かり時どき」です。

  The seasonal word in this haiku is 'kawazu no mekari-doki' (springtime mating of frogs).