Glossary: Snow 

This selection brings together some Japanese terms related to snow, highlighting the cultural influence of this element.

Tamayuki

Tamayuki is the name given to snow when it is compacted into a round shape, similar to a ball, as the name itself suggests: tama (ball) and yuki (snow). It is most common when temperatures are mild, such as at the beginning or end of winter. With a higher water content, this type of snow compacts more easily when pressed, making it ideal for recreational activities, such as snowball fights.

Konayuki

Konayuki is a type of dry, fine snow, also known as powder snow. It is light and easily carried by the wind. In cold regions, such as mountainous areas, this type of snow tends to accumulate, forming ski slopes that are highly sought after by skiers and snowboarders, as they provide a sensation of “floating” during the descent.

Haiyuki

Haiyuki (hai = ash; yuki = snow) is snow that falls gently, “dancing in the air” like ash. Compared to other types of snow, haiyuki has slightly denser flakes and, when exposed to sunlight, casts grayish shadows.

Watayuki

Watayuki derives from wata (cotton) and yuki (snow). It is a type of snow with large, soft flakes, resembling a piece of cotton. It contains a lot of water and is common in relatively warm regions with high precipitation. When it accumulates on the ground, it compacts easily, becoming a heavier snow.

Mochiyuki

Mochiyuki refers to the food mochi, the Japanese glutinous rice cake. This snow is soft like mochi and partially melted. It is often found in early spring, when temperatures begin to rise. Because it contains a lot of water, it can be molded into various shapes and adheres well to the ground, making it ideal for building snowmen, for example.

Botayuki, botan-yuki, or betayuki

This type of snow has an even higher water content than mochiyuki, with relatively larger and heavier flakes. It is a type of snow that tends to fall when the temperature is higher and the air is humid. Since it sticks to the ground quickly, removing it is usually a more difficult task. The names botayuki or botan-yuki refer to the way the snow falls, in large flakes, like drops of water. The alternative name betayuki, however, has a more uncertain origin, but is believed to be related to the way the snow sticks to the ground or to its sticky texture.

Mizuyuki 

Mizu means water in Japanese. As the name suggests, mizuyuki is a type of snow with a high water content, higher than in mochiyuki and botayuki, similar to sleet. Since it melts quickly after falling, it does not usually accumulate, turning into puddles of water. Mizuyuki is also more common in early spring, when temperatures begin to rise.