The Japan Meteorological Agency has something called phenological observation.It is a record of 34 types of plants and 23 types of animals, such as the flowering date of plums and cherry blossoms all over the country, the date when frogs and cicadas confirmed the first cry. It seems that it started in 1953 and has been continued for nearly 70 years, but in November 2020, it was announced that all observations of 11 species of animals and insects would be abolished, leaving `` 23 phenomena of 1 species '' of plants. There was [2021].However, at the end of March 3, the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Ministry of the Environment, and the National Institute for Environmental Studies announced that they would continue as a trial survey by incorporating a "citizen participation survey" [2].I was very disappointed to hear that it will be abolished, but I am relieved to hear that it will be continued, and I have great expectations that it will show a more developmental direction.
I think many people know about the flowering dates of plants, such as the flowering dates of cherry blossoms, as they are often featured on TV, but the recording of "sounds" such as the first chirp may not be well known.These records are not absolute because they were observed near the meteorological station, but such long-term records are considered to be very valuable in terms of understanding changes in the natural environment.
By the way, have you ever been conscious of "sounds" such as when frogs and cicadas started chirping every year and when they stopped being heard?Have you ever observed how they change day by day?
There is something called "Nijushisekki" in the classification of the seasons. The year is divided into 1 equal parts (approximately 24 days/15 weeks), each of which is named according to the season.Also, there are some unfamiliar names such as rainwater (usui), boushu (flower seed), and kanro (cold dew), but all of them have a beautiful sound.
If you listen to the changes in the sounds of nature on a daily basis while being conscious of the division of the seasons, you will be able to feel the various changes that occur with each season.For example, about two weeks after you start hearing the barking of swallows, you will begin to hear the energetic barking of chicks.Also, about two weeks after hearing the voice of one frog, a large number of frogs began to croak as if they were competing with each other.In the case of cicadas, the proportions of black cicadas, black cicadas, minmin cicadas, and black cicadas overlap, but gradually change.
Interest in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is growing, and the first step toward these efforts is to take an interest in and observe changes in the surrounding environment.Recently, many people listen to music on their portable player while commuting to work or school.If you pay attention to any corner of the city, you can find changes in the sound of various seasons, and I think you will be able to feel the joy of searching for and listening to such sounds.
(Hisashi Okamoto, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology)
