The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Snow (Chinese: 大雪), the 21st solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 6 and ends on Dec 20.

It is the Heavy Snow of the 24 Solar Terms. The morning service at Kohfukuji Temple begins while it's still pitch dark outside. As the sky grows lighter, its hue changes every second.

It's early in winter at Oka-dera temple in Asuka Village ... According to the 24 Solar Terms of Reiwa 3 (2021), Shousetsu is from November 22 to December 7.

The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "hundreds of leagues ice-bound go; over thousands of leagues flies snow".