Nature and seasonal records

Over the centuries, the environment has been changing due to natural seasonal cycles or due to human activities unfortunately. Humans have witnessed those changes over time and have also been keeping records and have also created some rituals and events based upon those seasonal events.

In Japan, for example, Shinto monks - japanese priests - have been keeping records of the appearance of ice ridges on the frozen Lake Suwa in the Shinano province in winter since the year 1443 or longer.

It is incredible to learn that records so old have reached us today and that these information are still used today by scientists for data analysis.

Lake Suwa in Shinano Province, woodcut print by Hokusai

You can learn more about this story here and here.