The traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar. Days begin and end at midnight, and months begin on the day of the new moon. Years begin on the second or third new moon after the winter solstice. As a result, the Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20.

In terms of the weather, Taiki is referring to central Japan around Tokyo and Osaka, where most of the population lives. The Tohoku (northeast) region totals up some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world. Hokkaido is basically Minnesota with volcanos and earthquakes.

A hanjuu (半獣) is literally a "half beast." The other half is human. Like kirin, they can switch between human and animal forms.

The treatment of hanjuu varies throughout the Twelve Kingdoms. In Kou, hanjuu are harshly discriminated against, one reason Rakushun travels with Youko to En, where he can attend university. Youko abolished the anti-hanjuu laws in Kei and promoted Kantai, a hanjuu bear, to general in the Palace Guard.

Labels: 12 kingdoms, black moon, fantasy, japanese, translations