暦

• Reading: こよみ
• Romaji: koyomi
• Kanji breakdown: 暦 (reki/koyomi) — calendar; composed of 厂 and 秝 (depicting grain and seasonal rhythm)
• Pronunciation: /ko.jo.mi/

Meaning

Calendar; almanac. Both the abstract system for organising days and months, and the physical printed calendar or almanac itself.

A noun covering both the concept of a calendar system and a physical publication. Traditional Japanese almanacs (暦) included not only dates but also auspicious days, weather patterns, and agricultural guidance. The word appears in important compounds: 旧暦, 新暦, 太陰暦, 万年暦. More poetic and classical in feel than the everyday loanword カレンダー.

Examples

1. 暦の上ではもう春だが、まだ肌寒い日が続く。 According to the calendar it's already spring, but the chilly days continue.
2. 農家は昔から暦を参考にして農作業の時期を決めていた。 Farmers have long consulted the almanac to decide when to carry out agricultural work.
3. 日本の伝統的な暦には六曜などの吉凶が記されている。 Japan's traditional calendar includes notations of auspicious and inauspicious days, such as the six-day cycle.

Usage Guide

Context: traditional culture, agriculture, dates, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. 暦 is thought to derive from 日読み (hi-yomi, 'day-reading'), reflecting the ancient practice of tracking and reading the days. The kanji 暦 depicts the passage of time through seasonal cycles.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal