木枯(こが)らし

こがらし
noun
cold wintry wind; cold autumn wind
weathertime-season
1. cold autumn/winter wind that blows the leaves off trees
a cold, dry wind that signals the arrival of winter, typically blowing from late autumn to early winter
木枯(こが)らしが吹(ふ)いて寒(さむ)くなった。
The cold wind blew and it got cold.
木枯(こが)らしが落(お)ち葉(ば)を舞(ま)い上(あ)げた。
The wintry wind sent fallen leaves swirling up.
今日(きょう)、木枯(こが)らし一号(いちごう)が吹(ふ)いた。
Today, the first cold wind of the season blew.

Seasonal vocabulary

木枯(こが)らし literally means "tree-withering" (木(こ) = tree, 枯(か)らす = to wither). It refers to the cold, dry wind that strips the leaves from trees.

Weather news

木枯(こが)らし一号(いちごう) (the first kogarashi of the season) is announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency, typically in late October or November. It's considered a sign that winter is approaching.

Season

Late autumn to early winter (October-December)

Poetic imagery

The 木枯(こが)らし often appears in Japanese poetry and literature as a symbol of:

  • The approach of winter
  • Loneliness or melancholy
  • The transience of nature

Related words

Related Words

Related: 北風(きたかぜ) (north wind)
Related: 寒風(かんぷう) (cold wind)
Related: 初冬(しょとう) (early winter)
general
Added 2026.1.27 20:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
08500/08557_kogarashi