Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32453/
Modified and translated by CFJA
Doyō (Seasonal Transitions) Are Periods of Extreme Temperature Fluctuations. How You Spend Autumn Doyō (秋土用) Is Key to Preventing Illness.
Canada has short springs and autumns, yet it still experiences four distinct seasons. At the same time, periods of seasonal transition come with large temperature fluctuations, making it especially important to pay attention to health management.
In Eastern thought, these transitional periods are called Doyō (土用). Doyō refers to the 18 days preceding each of the seasonal beginnings: Risshun (the start of spring), Rikka (the start of summer), Risshū (the start of autumn), and Rittō (the start of winter).
Because Doyō occurs four times a year, these periods are known as Spring Doyō, Summer Doyō, Autumn Doyō, and Winter Doyō.
According to the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar and the Chinese calendar, the Doyō periods in 2025 are as follows:
- Spring Doyō: 18 days before Rikka (May 5)
April 17 – May 4 - Summer Doyō: 18 days before Risshū (August 7)
July 20 – August 6 - Autumn Doyō: 18 days before Rittō (November 7)
October 20 – November 6 - Winter Doyō: 18 days before Risshun (February 3)
January 15 – February 2
In Eastern medicine, each season is associated with heightened activity in a particular organ: spring with the liver, summer with the heart, autumn with the lungs, and winter with the kidneys. During Doyō, the spleen is believed to be especially active.
From another perspective, Doyō is also a time when these organs are under greater strain. If one neglects self-care or maintains poor lifestyle habits during this period, organ function may decline more easily.
In particular, how we spend Spring Doyō, when temperatures rise steadily, and Autumn Doyō, when temperatures drop steadily, is extremely important. Poor habits during Doyō can lead to summer fatigue or winter fatigue in the seasons that follow.
Do you consciously pay attention to how you care for your body during Doyō?
When the Daily High Drops Below 28°C, Pay Attention to the Low Temperature.
In Japan, during Autumn Doyō (秋土用), daytime high temperatures gradually fall below 28°C. In early October, there are still days when temperatures exceed 28°C, so many people continue their daily lives thinking that it is still hot and that it will not get cold anytime soon. (In Toronto, this transitional period typically occurs in early September.)
When the daily high drops below 28°C, it becomes essential to shift attention to the overnight low temperature. It takes approximately two to three weeks for the body to acclimatize to colder weather. During this adjustment period, it is important to dress more warmly than you might expect for the season, so that the core of the body does not become chilled.
When the outdoor temperature falls below 20°C, remaining dressed in light autumn clothing can cause the body to become cold. If this continues for several days, symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, or nasal congestion may begin to appear. People who consume excessive amounts of cold foods or drinks from late September to mid-October often develop severe, persistent coughing. Those with underlying lung conditions may trigger bronchial asthma or bronchitis, and some may develop viral infections such as influenza.
Living in cold indoor environments can also raise blood pressure. Therefore, how one spends Autumn Doyō is important not only for lung health, but also for people with other underlying medical conditions.
Autumn Doyō is a time to focus on the minimum temperature and to pay close attention to clothing, bedding, and indoor temperature. Once the daily high drops below 25°C, it is no longer summer. Preparing winter clothing earlier rather than later is strongly recommended.
Key measures for Autumn Doyō include:
- Switching from short sleeves (lighter clothing) to long sleeves (warmer clothing)
- Using heating when needed
- Wearing socks indoors
- Choosing warmer sleepwear
- Using thicker or additional bedding
- Avoiding overeating
- Refraining from eating after 10:00 p.m.
During Doyō, digestive function—particularly that of the stomach—is more easily disrupted, so care with food and drink is essential. Autumn Doyō coincides with the season of abundance, when many seasonal foods are available. It is important to be mindful of portion sizes and to avoid excessive intake of fruits that tend to cool the body.
If indoor temperature control is neglected during Autumn Doyō, various symptoms may begin to appear after Rittō (the start of winter), such as a heavy feeling in the head, pain in the back of the neck or upper back, frequent muscle cramps in the legs (including nighttime cramps), ringing in the ears, or severe menstrual pain. Some individuals may also experience sudden hearing loss, cystitis, or acute nephritis.
When these symptoms are ignored and allowed to persist, the body becomes more prone to developing seasonal allergies in spring. For this reason, how one cares for the body during Autumn Doyō is critically important.