How to Read “The tearful moon of February and August”
Nihachi no namidazuki
Meaning of “The tearful moon of February and August”
“The tearful moon of February and August” is a proverb that describes how February and August are difficult months when business is slow.
This proverb refers to times when sales drop significantly for business owners throughout the year.
February is known as a period when consumer spending cools down after the New Year shopping season ends.
August is when people’s desire to buy things decreases because of the summer heat.
For shop owners, these are months when sales don’t grow and cash flow becomes a headache.
They are truly “months so difficult they bring tears.”
Even today, retail and restaurant businesses experience these sales slumps in February and August.
People sometimes say “This month is the tearful moon of February and August, so it can’t be helped” when accepting the ups and downs of business.
This phrase captures the reality that business always has waves throughout the year.
There are good times and there are tough times.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records remain about the origin of this proverb.
However, it’s believed to have emerged among merchants during the Edo period.
“Nihachi” refers to February and August.
Why were these two months considered difficult times for business people?
The answer is deeply connected to Japan’s traditional annual events and seasonal changes.
February comes after New Year celebrations end, when people tighten their purse strings.
After spending freely during New Year, consumer spending cools down.
August includes the Obon period, but the summer heat reduces people’s desire to shop.
Farming families also had little cash income before harvest time.
Furthermore, Edo period business customs typically involved settling accounts at Obon and year-end.
February came right after New Year payments were completed.
August came just before Obon payments were due.
These were exactly the valley periods when cash flow became tight.
The expression “tearful moon” captures the desperate feelings of shop owners.
Business wasn’t going as hoped, and the months were so difficult they brought tears.
This phrase beautifully expresses the cycle of seasons and the rise and fall of business.
It’s a saying born from the life wisdom of merchants.
Interesting Facts
Actually, even in today’s retail industry, sales slumps in February and August are statistically confirmed.
February especially has the fewest days in the year, which contributes to decreased sales.
This is sometimes raised as a management issue called the “Nippachi Problem.”
Many companies consider how to survive this period as an important point in their business strategy.
For August, corporate activities slow down during Obon holidays.
More people stay indoors because of the heat, which causes sales slumps even today.
This business wave continuing from the Edo period tells the story of Japan’s unchanging relationship between seasons and consumption.
Even as times change, this pattern remains constant.
Usage Examples
- Our shop is really struggling this month with the tearful moon of February and August
- They say the tearful moon of February and August, but how you survive this period shows your business skills
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “The tearful moon of February and August” teaches us a universal truth.
Life always has waves.
Not just in business, but in our lives, there are times when things go well and times when they don’t.
Nothing continues smoothly forever.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because it captures an unavoidable reality.
The “valley” periods inevitably arrive in human endeavors.
What’s interesting is that this proverb uses the emotional expression “tearful moon.”
Yet it also specifies concrete times: February and August.
This suggests that difficult periods are predictable and you can prepare for them.
Our ancestors didn’t just lament their suffering.
They understood the importance of knowing when hardship would come and preparing for it.
The expression “tearful moon” also shows an attitude of honestly acknowledging suffering.
Admitting when times are hard isn’t weakness.
It’s the strength to face reality directly.
And in this proverb, we can see countless merchants who shed tears but still got through those months.
Accept life’s waves, predict the valley periods, and keep moving forward anyway.
This human strength and wisdom is condensed into these few words.
When AI Hears This
Human memory is designed to react strongly to unfortunate events.
If major damage occurs even once in February or August, that memory stays vivid.
Memories of years when nothing happened fade away.
Psychology calls this the availability heuristic.
We mistakenly think events we can easily recall happen more frequently.
What’s interesting is that actual weather data shows completely different results by region.
For example, August has relatively stable weather in Hokkaido.
In Okinawa, February rainfall is among the lowest of the year.
Yet this saying spread nationwide because of confirmation bias.
When you have the preconception that “February and August are dangerous,” only times when weather actually worsens get etched in memory.
You think “See, I knew it,” while sunny days disappear from consciousness.
The nature of farming as an occupation also plays a role.
Success or failure of harvests directly affects livelihood, so risk-avoidance emotions work strongly.
Even if disaster occurs only 2 out of 10 times, if those 2 losses are fatal, the brain is designed to feel “it’s always dangerous.”
Statistical frequency and psychological significance don’t match.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of accepting difficult periods as “expected.”
In work and in life, not everything progresses in an upward trajectory.
Periods when projects stall, motivation doesn’t rise, and results don’t come will definitely arrive.
At such times, thinking “This is the tearful moon of February and August” might ease your mind a little.
What’s important is knowing in advance that slow periods will come and preparing for them.
Just as merchants saved money for February and August, we can prepare for life’s “valleys.”
Don’t get too carried away during good times and keep some reserves.
During slow periods, don’t push too hard and have the composure to wait for the next wave.
This proverb also teaches hope: “This difficult period will pass too.”
After February comes spring, and after August comes autumn.
No winter lasts forever.
Even if now is painful, it’s temporary.
Believe that and calmly continue doing what you can do now.
That’s the wisdom for riding out life’s waves.
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