Embracing the Season: Evening Cicada Sings

As the final hot days of summer are eclipsed by the first whispers of autumn, signs of back to school and labor day weekend planning are on the horizon.



However in Japan, one of the more natural rhythms to signal the dog days of summer is the song of the evening cicada. The evening cicada’s song is more than just a natural sound; it is a cultural marker that invites us to reflect on the transition from summer to fall. The cicada’s life cycle starts with a long period underground followed by a brief, intense period of singing. (I certainly felt like singing after lockdown!)

Similar to the famous impermanent cherry blossoms of springtime, the cicada’s distinctive drone calls out during their brief time above ground and creates a sense of summer nostalgia and reflections on future times. It is an invitation to embrace the last of summer fun before fall chill comes into full swing and we all burrow into coziness once again.



Matcha’s rich earthy flavors and vibrant green color mirror the lushness of late summer while gently guiding one toward the introspective calm of fall. The practice of savoring a bowl of matcha can become a welcoming ritual that honors the seasonal shifts through creating a unique pocket of ceremonial calm. The stopping to taste tea mirrors the sudden pause to listen to your surroundings, making ceremonial grade matcha powder (like those from Marukyu Koyamaen) an ideal gift for anyone during the season of the cicadas' evening song who wants to feel more aware of their surroundings.





High-quality matcha powder, elegant Japanese tea sets, and traditional tea accessories such as sweet picks and wooden whisks make for wonderful gifts that can supplement your favorite ways to ease into autumn.


A beautifully crafted Japanese Matcha Bowl can enhance the recipient’s tea-drinking experience.



To create a calming and reflective environment at home, consider incorporating elements of traditional tea ceremony or the simplicity of Japanese decor. Set up a cozy tea corner where you can enjoy matcha while listening to the evening air outside, or use colorful soft Japanese hand towels to bring a touch of seasonal charm to your space.

Enjoying matcha in this way also provides a sense of harmony with nature’s other rhythms, in addition to the cicada's call.

As you listen to whatever sounds are in the air around you (cicada or otherwise) and savor the rich matcha tea (sometimes Sencha), take an extra moment to appreciate the fleeting beauty of this time of year.

Soon we will return to our cold-season burrows in the approaching autumn. Next week, we will get further out of summer by embracing the season of thick fog rolling in.