The kanji 旬 (shun) has no direct English equivalent. Depicting the sun enclosed within a frame, it captures a seasonal moment at its absolute peak—symbolizing Japan’s deep appreciation for nature’s seasonal gifts, from fresh food to changing landscapes.
Similarly, the kanji for Haiku (句) encloses a “mouth” instead of the “sun,” representing capturing the essence of the seasons into spoken verse (5-7-5 syllables).