Count Nine ("数九") is a tradition in Northern China. Starting from the winter solstice, people will count days by a period of nine. By the end of the nineth nine, the spring shall come.
I have translated a traditional folk poem about this into Japanese, with Kanbun. It is a way of reading Chinese texts as Japanese by literal.
Today is the winter solstice, a brilliant time to post this on my website!
English translation (by literal):
One nine, two nines, hands don't come out;
Three nines, four nines, walk on ice.
Five nines, six nines, see willows by the river;
Seven nines, the river opens; eight nines, swallows come.
Nine nines and one more nine, cattles walk everywhere.