Abstract: The establishment of the image "kasumi" at the beginning of spring embodies the cultural conflict and integration between Japan and China. Literally,the meaning of "kasumi" in Waka poems as "xia" in Chinese,that is,red clouds,was influenced by the popular expression of "yanxia" (smoky red clouds)from Chinese poetry. In terms of seasonal sense, "kasumi" was directly originated from the traditional Japanese natural calendar,in which the word "haru" is used to stand for "spring". Therefore, "kasumi" has a distinct hue of regional feature. The combination of the beginning of spring and "kasumi" was originally created by the court poet Kakinomoto Hitomaro to moderate the conflict between old and new seasonal senses in Jitō's reign,during which the Chinese Lunisolar calendar was released officially. The emerge of this image marks the beginning of seasonal chant in Waka poems. Also,embedding the Japanese pronunciation of the beginning of spring into Waka had an important effect on the formation of the seasonal sense in ancient Waka, in which the four seasons were so distinctive.

Key words: Waka poems, seasonal chant, natural calendar, Chinese Lunisolar calendar, cultural acceptance