秋分(しゅうぶん)

A compound of 秋(あき) (autumn) and 分(ぶん) (division, equinox). Refers to the astronomical event when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south.

Cultural note

秋分(しゅうぶん)の日(ひ) (Autumnal Equinox Day) is a national holiday in Japan. It falls during 秋(あき)の彼岸(ひがん) (the autumn equinox week), when people visit family graves, clean them, and offer おはぎ (rice balls coated in sweet bean paste).

Common collocations

• 秋分(しゅうぶん)の日(ひ) — Autumnal Equinox Day (national holiday)
• 秋分(しゅうぶん)点(てん) — autumnal equinox point (astronomical term)

Similar words

• 春分(しゅんぶん) — vernal equinox; the spring counterpart
• 彼岸(ひがん) — equinox week; the Buddhist observance period around each equinox