Hi, I’m Tohoku Zunko!
This morning, when I opened the door to the veranda, I could see my breath just a tiny bit.
This year, the Kanro (Cold Dew) solar term is around October 8th. That’s tomorrow!
So, here at Zunda Union, we’ve decided to start our morning warming routine today đ
đ What Kind of Season is Kanro?
The 24 solar terms are traditional markers that divide the year into 24 parts.
Among them, Kanro is said to be the time when the dew on the grass feels cold.
The dew in summer is lukewarm, but in autumn, it’s cold.
It’s a little interesting when you think about how different the same water droplets can feel depending on the season, isn’t it?
- The air becomes clear, and you can see distant mountains sharply.
- The temperature difference between morning and day grows larger.
- It lasts from around October 8th to the 22nd.
And the next solar term is Soko (Frost Descent), which is on October 23rd this year.
The name means that the dew turns into frost.
…So, Kanro is like “the last time it can still be dew.”
When I think of it that way, the morning chill feels a little precious.
â Part 1: A Cup of Hot Water After Waking Up
My warming routine starts with the simplest thing.
I boil some water, let it cool down enough to drink, and slowly have a cup of plain hot water.
It has no taste or smell, so it’s just right for my body first thing in the morning.
Don’t rush it. Hold the cup with both hands, watch the steam, and sip it slowly.
I think of the time it takes to warm my palms as part of that “one cup.”
đĩ Part 2: Switching to Hojicha
During the summer, cold barley tea was the standard in our kitchen.
But from this time of year, it’s hojicha (roasted green tea).
When that toasty aroma fills the air, it changes the whole atmosphere of the kitchen.
It’s said to be low in caffeine, so it’s nice that I can easily drink it in the evening as well as the morning.
Of course, any tea you like is fine.
I think what’s more important than the type of tea is making time in the morning to have something warm.
đĢ Part 3: A Dash of Ginger
Add a little bit of grated ginger to your warm drink.
It goes well with hojicha, and also with hot water mixed with a drop of honey.
The sharp scent feels like it clears my head in the morning.
…Let me be clear about this.
This is not medicine; it’s just a daily habit.
I can’t say things like, “If you drink this, you won’t catch a cold.”
When you’re not feeling well, rest before you worry about a warming routine. That’s the most important thing.
đ§Ŗ Part 4: A Haramaki and the Three “Necks”
There’s a warming routine for what you wear, too.
The most popular one in our house is definitely the haramaki (belly warmer).
Some people worry about how it looks, but if you wear clothes over it, no one will know.
Next up are the neck, wrists, and ankles.
Leaving these three exposed on the veranda in the morning can be pretty tough.
Just having a thin stole and a pair of socks makes a big difference.
đš Part 5: Moving Slowly Before Morning Kyudo Practice
My special skill is kyudo (Japanese archery).
The dojo floor is chilly on autumn mornings, and if I try to draw the bow right away, my shoulders won’t open up properly.
So lately, I’ve been making sure to warm up for longer than usual.
- Roll my shoulders forward and backward in big circles.
- Stretch my back and breathe deeply.
- Slowly rotate my wrists and ankles.
- Walk around a bit and touch the bow only after my body has warmed up.
Don’t push yourself before your body is warm.
I think this applies to all autumn mornings, not just to kyudo.
đī¸ …By the Way, About Kiritan
Now, about the youngest daughter of our house.
The morning after I talked about our warming routine, Kiritan wouldn’t get out of her futon.
Zundamon: “Kiritan, it’s morning, nanoda! Time for the warming routine, nanoda!”
Kiritan: “…I’m in the middle of my warming routine right now.”
Zundamon: “A futon isn’t a warming routine, nanoda!”
Kiritan: “I think it’s the most reliable way to get warm, though.”
…Her logic is sound, I suppose.
After a while, when the aroma of the hojicha reached her room, she finally came out.
Her first words were, “Is there any tea left?” so I’d call the operation a success.
And as for Zundamon.
Zundamon: “I’m going to warm up with zunda mochi, nanoda!”
Zunko: “You just want to eat it, don’t you?”
Zundamon: “…But freshly pounded mochi really is warm, nanoda.”
Well, he’s not wrong about that.
While everyone was making a fuss, my big sister Itako, holding her teacup with both hands, said this:
Itako: “…The chill comes later.”
She means that even if you feel fine in the morning, it’ll hit you in the evening.
That’s our eldest sister for you â she’s so good at summing things up in one line.
đ Summary
- Kanro in 2026 is around October 8th. It’s the time when the dew feels cold and the air is clear.
- The next solar term, Soko, is on October 23rd. It’s a short season before the dew turns to frost.
- Start your warming routine with plain hot water and hojicha. A cup includes the time it takes to warm your palms.
- A haramaki, plus your neck, wrists, and ankles. Protecting these three “necks” makes a big difference.
- This isn’t a guaranteed cure, just a simple daily habit. If you’re not feeling well, resting is the top priority.
You can see my profile on the Tohoku Zunko page, and the youngest sister who wouldn’t get out of her futon is on the Tohoku Kiritan page.
If you have your own morning warming routine, I’d love to hear about it.
Well then, have a warm morning đ