"Setsu gekka" and "Setsu-getsu-ka" redirect here. For other uses, see
Setsugekka.
Snow, Moon and Flowers (雪月花, setsu-getsu-ka or setsu gekka) is a Japanese expression and theme in art and design originating from a
poem by
Tang dynasty poet
Bai Juyi.[1] It became popular in the late
Edo period. It is a Japanese
metonym for beautiful sceneries in nature.
Introduction
This threefold theme usually refers to the seasons of the year:[2] snow refers to winter, moon refers to autumn and flowers refers to spring. But one could also think it as representations of three whites: blue-white refers to winter, yellow-white refers to autumn and pink-white refers to spring.
Ukiyo-e artists liked to sell prints in series, sometimes even scrolls were painted to be hanged together. Artists liked to combine it with three women, three well known landscapes (moon always with reflecting water) etc.
"Snow, Moon and flowers" appear also as decoration on boxes, backside of traditional mirrors etc.
In the Unbreakable Machine-Doll light novel, the Setsugetsuka Trilogy is composed of three female automaton sisters; Irori, the eldest sister, representing the snow, Yaya, the second eldest sister, representing the moon, and Komurasaki, the youngest sister, representing the flower.
Comics
In the Unbreakable Machine-Doll manga, the Setsugetsuka Trilogy is composed of three female automaton sisters; Irori, the eldest sister, representing the snow, Yaya, the second eldest sister, representing the moon, and Komurasaki, the youngest sister, representing the flower.
Video games
In the Yakuza series, there exists an
enka song called Kamuro Setsugekka (神室雪月花), often localized as Kamurocho Lullaby, which talks about the Snow, Moon and Flowers in
Kamurochō, one of the main locations in the franchise. The song first appears in Yakuza 2, as sung by a singer called Chikamatsu in the mission The Enka Life. In Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4, Yakuza 5 and the spin-off game Yakuza: Dead Souls, the protagonist
Kazuma Kiryu can sing Kamurocho Lullaby in the karaoke minigame. The song also appears as background music in restaurants and other locations in multiple games, including Yakuza 0, and in Yakuza 4, Daisaku Minami sings it before his battle with
Shun Akiyama.
The Japanese title of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is in reference to the theme, as the player spends a full year teaching at the Officer's Academy.
The JRPG Final Fantasy XIV's samurai class is based around the three seals of Snow, Moon and Flowers. With the three, the player may execute an attack named Midare Setsugekka.
In 2018 there was a Collaboration for the mobile game Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Shining Live:
Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Eternal Song CD "
Setsugekka"
song collaboration featuring the 11 idols in units Yuki, Tsuki, & Hana. A music video for the song "Setsugetsuka" was also released.
Radio, animation, and television
In the Unbreakable Machine-Doll anime, the Setsugetsuka Trilogy is composed of three female automaton sisters; Irori, the eldest sister, representing the snow, Yaya, the second eldest sister, representing the moon, and Komurasaki, the youngest sister, representing the flower.
In the anime Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood three of the main characters are named Yuki, Hana, and Tsuki (Japanese for "snow", "flower", and "moon" respectively)
Notes
^雪月花時最憶君: At the time of snow, moon and flowers, I think of you.