木枯(こが)らし

こがらし
noun
cold wintry wind; cold autumn wind
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:

  • 北風(きたかぜ) - north wind
  • 寒風(かんぷう) - cold wind
  • 空(から)っ風(かぜ) - dry winter wind
  • 初冬(しょとう) - early winter
general
Added 2026.1.27 20:29
08500/08557_kogarashi