In Japanese, the month is known as shichigatsu (Japanese: 七月) or traditionally fumizuki (Japanese: 文月).
Several etymologies have been proposed for fumizuki. The 12th century poet Fujiwara no Kiyosuke connected it to spreading out written texts (文; fumi) during Tanabata, and another explanation connects it with rice ears developing grain. Alternative Japanese name include mōshū (孟秋), oyazuki (親月), tanabatazuki (七夕月), ominaeshizuki (女郎花月), rangetsu (蘭月), and ryōgetsu (涼月).
Observances
The Qixi Festival is held on the 7th day of the 7th month.
Tanabata was traditionally celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month in Japan.
Chilseok is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month in Korea.
The Ghost Festival is held on the 15th day of the 7th month.
Obon was traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th month.
Yabuiri[ja] (Japanese: 藪入り) was a festival traditionally observed on the 16th day of the 1st and 7th months, on which apprentices, servants and maidservants were given gifts and allowed to return to their parents' homes for the day.
Dates
Below is a list of the start and end dates of Qīyuè in the Gregorian calendar. Because the 1-hour difference between China and Japan/Korea occasionally affects the date on which a new moon occurs, the dates below can differ from those of the Japanese and Korean calendars.