Finding Harmony in the Plum Rains: Embracing Life’s Ebb and Flow
Just as light exists in opposition to the darkness, joy can only be savored in direct contrast to sadness and tragedy.
“In the midst of the plum rains, the world is enveloped in mist, The gentle patter of raindrops, a lullaby for the soul.” — Anonymous
The plum rains, directly translated as 梅雨 or Tsuyu in Japanese, quite simply refers to the extended period of rainfall that regularly occurs in East Asia. Often beginning in the month of June until early July or even August sometimes, the plum rains are unique compared to other rainy seasons because of how never-ending it can feel.
According to scientists, this phenomenon occurs when moist air from the Pacific encounters the cooler continental air, forming a weather front. As the moist air cools, its water vapor condenses into droplets that become heavy enough to be pulled down by gravity. And there you have it, the reason why raindrops persistently fall upon parts of China and Japan for well over a month.
As a poetic and often spiritual image, Tsuyu has been a part of these cultures since ancient times, often mentioned in entertainment and literature.
What I love about the idea of Tsuyu is the deeply poignant imagery that locals think of when it finally arrives — renewal, finding balance, resilience amid hardship, mono no aware (物の哀れ) or the beauty in the fleeting nature of life. Instead of resisting the treacherous and unpredictable nature of the plum rains, the people in these parts have come to embrace it as part of life and adapt accordingly.
The concept of the plum rains, to me, captures the human experience in its entirety. For that reason, I’ve grown rather fond of it and adopted this as a personal philosophy. (I even named this blog after it!)
For instance, I started to develop a habit of reminding myself that it’s ALWAYS the rainy season. Meaning, life is often treacherous and turbulent; but also joyful, fulfilling and liberating. As hard as the rains may pour, there’s always a blue sky waiting at the end.
Hearing that may feel like the good and bad just cancel each other out, leaving a very flat and dull experience. But you and I know that that can’t be further from the truth.
Look at it more deeply and notice that these opposing forces actually weave into each other to form a beautiful tapestry that one can truly admire and appreciate. Life is beautiful precisely because of all the various emotions one can feel, and the colorful moments experienced all throughout the journey. Happiness does not exist in a vacuum. Just as light exists in opposition to the darkness, joy can only be savored in direct contrast to sadness and tragedy.
— Ian
This post was originally published on my newsletter, The Plum Rains.
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