Overview
Spring (年, haru) is one of the four seasons. It is between winter and summer, in Japan it refers to the months of March, April, and May.
On the calendar, it is from the first day of spring to the day before summer (from the first day of the lunar calendar to March).
In astronomy, it refers to the period from the vernal equinox to the summer solstice.
This is the season when the harsh cold of winter ends and the weather gradually shifts to a more comfortable, warmer climate.
The warmer weather makes organisms more active. Daylight hours lengthen, and trees blossom and leaf out.
It is often used to express youthfulness or being energetic and vigorous, as it is a season full of vitality.
It is also used to express affection between people, as this is the season when many animals are in their prime and preparing to reproduce.
It is also used in a sexual sense (e.g., shunga, engage in prostitution, etc.).
In Japan, the image of cherry blossoms is strongly associated with spring, and many works on pixiv are based on this theme.