Photo Credit: Florian Schmetz @ Unsplash.com

Are you familiar with the term Luddite? A Luddite is a person who is not comfortable using technology, in many cases because they do not trust technology. In extreme cases, the person wants to destroy technology. The term refers to the participants in a rebellion in England that occurred from 1811 to 1816 during the industrial revolution. Many weavers in England were upset that they were being replaced by machines. Traditional weaving shops could not compete in price with the textile products the factories were producing. The leader of the rebellion was supposedly a weaver named Captain, or King, Ludd, and his followers were referred to as Luddites. They broke into the factories and destroyed textile machinery. These days, referring to someone as a Luddite means you recognize that the person is avoiding, or speaking out against technology because that person thinks it is harmful rather than beneficial. 

Seems like many people are coming to that conclusion. Recently I've been reading a book called Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. In the book, he explains the many ways that his attention, particularly his ability to focus, has been reduced by use of his cell phone. For example, he complains that he has lost his ability to read anything for more than a few minutes, so now it takes him a long time to finish a book. In particular, he blames social media apps, which constantly demand that we give them our attention. He decides the best thing to do is to leave his phone in his apartment in New York and to move to a small town where he can stop using the Internet for three months. In the book, he describes the many positive effects that occur when he stops allowing the Internet and social media to command his focus. {Stolen Focus – Book Summary [https://medium.com/learning-by-proxy/stolen-focus-book-summary-b433453a0383]}

I was surprised to learn that even a few teenagers are concluding that using social media is not in their best interest. “'Luddite' Teens Don't Want Your Likes,” an article recently published in the New York Times, is about a group of teenagers at a high school in New York who have voluntarily decided not to use smartphones. Most of them have flip phones, and a few of them have no phones at all. These students formed a circle called the Luddite Club in their high school, and they meet outdoors to read, paint and draw, and to have discussions about the ideas presented in books they are reading. All of them are critical of society's reliance on social media, especially the need to post and get ‘likes’. Describing the benefits of abandoning social media, one of the students says “when I got my flip phone, things instantly changed. I got my brain back. It made me observe myself as a person.” {New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/style/teens-social-media.html]}

So, what do you think? Are you happy with your smartphone and your access to social media, or have you been starting to question the benefits of being connected? If you have your doubts, it might be time to consider the taking the Luddite challenge, and see if it works for you.

Questions:

1. What is a Luddite?

A. a dull sound

B. a person who does not like technology

C. a type of rock

2. How did the author of Stolen Focus attempt to regain his focus?

A. he moved to a small town and did not use the internet

B. he took medicine

C. he did yoga

3. What is the name of the circle formed by the high school students who have given up their smart phones?

A. Joy Luck Club

B. Breakfast Club

C. Luddite Club

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. B

2. A

3. C

Photo Credit: AstroAi @ Pixabay

If you want to make learning English a more fun and rewarding experience, one way is to learn through your interests and hobbies. If, like me, you are a science fiction fan, for example, you can use this genre as a tool to improve your English skills. Here are some tips on how to do that. Start by reading short stories or novellas in English. Science fiction is known for its imaginative and thought-provoking stories, such as Kurt Vonnegut’s short story, Harrison Bergeron, or some of Isaac Asimov’s robot stories. However, you should choose stories that are at your level, so one good place to start is at the Ritsumeikan library in the graded reader section, or at the BBP.

Watch movies and TV shows in English with subtitles. Science fiction is a popular genre in both mediums, and there are many great films and TV shows that you can watch to improve your English. Some great examples are Star Trek, Star Wars, or Interstellar. As you watch, pay attention to the dialogue and try to imitate the way the characters speak. If you watch on some streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ you can even watch with English subtitles to help improve your listening and reading at the same time! 

There are also online communities or forums where people discuss science fiction in English. This can be a great way to practice your English skills in a real-life setting and learn from others who share your interests. You can also share your own thoughts and opinions on the stories and characters that you love. 

Use science fiction to learn about new topics and expand your vocabulary. Science fiction often explores futuristic or hypothetical scenarios, and reading or watching these stories can introduce you to new ideas and concepts. There is even a new science fiction dictionary online that explains science fiction words and where they first appeared. {Dictionary of Science Fiction [https://sfdictionary.com/]} As you encounter new words and phrases, make sure to look them up and add them to your vocabulary list. 

Have fun! Learning English through science fiction can be a fun and engaging way to improve your language skills. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things, and remember to enjoy the process. With dedication and practice, you can become a proficient English speaker and a true science fiction fan.

Questions:

Q1. What is the name of the short story by Kurt Vonnegut mentioned in the blog?

Q2. How can you enjoy reading and listening to English at the same time?

Q3. Where can you find meanings to words that commonly appear in science fiction novels?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

A1. Harrison Bergeron

A2. Use English subtitles while watching TV series and movies.

A3. In the online dictionary (sfdictionary.com).

Photo Credit: Angele J @ Pexels.com

Do you like to drink milk and eat other dairy products such as cheese or yoghurt? In the UK, where I lived for over 25 years, dairy products were a big part of my daily diet and they are still very popular. Less than 20% of the UK’s population is lactose intolerant, whereas in Japan it’s almost three quarters of the population. For these people, digesting dairy products can be very difficult and troublesome. Both lactose and alcohol intolerance are quite common in Asian countries, reflecting the history of agriculture and food production, and resulting in some small but significant genetic differences between various cultural populations. However, regarding what we eat, the belief that fresh fruit and vegetables are good for our health is widely shared by humans across the globe. 

Even widely-held beliefs can be inaccurate, so just over 20 years ago researchers from Yokohama City University and the National Cancer Center set out to conduct a 20-year-long collaborative study to scientifically verify this idea in relation to the Japanese population. Although past studies in the United States and Europe have shown that eating lots of fruit and vegetables leads to a longer, healthier life, it was the first time such a study had been conducted in Japan. The results have recently been published and they show that people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables are at a lower risk of death compared to those who rarely eat them. 

So how much should we eat each day? One of the recommendations that came out of this research is that people should ideally eat at least 300 grams of vegetables and 140 grams of fruit every day. This is because the study also shows that mortality does not decrease in proportion to the amount of fruit and vegetable intake. Just the right amount each day is enough to maintain a healthier body. With the ever-increasing prices of fresh produce, it may be an economic choice to buy cheaper, processed food, but can you put a price on your health? 

If you’re interested in the statistics of this study, read on. Approximately 95,000 people aged 40 to 69 living in Tokyo and 10 other prefectures nationwide took part in the study. During the 20-year period about 25% of the participants died. Vegetables: risk of death for those who ate lots of vegetables was seven to eight percent lower compared to those with the lowest vegetable consumption. Fruit: Compared to participants who ate the least amount of fruit, those with high fruit consumption had an eight to nine percent lower risk of death, particularly from cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, no connection between eating a lot of fruit and mortality from cancer and respiratory diseases was found.

{Link to Science Japan summary of study [https://sj.jst.go.jp/news/202211/n1101-01k.html]}

Questions:

Q1. What percent of Japan’s population is lactose intolerant? 

Q2. Which Japanese university was involved in the 20-year study? 

Q3. How many prefectures made up the population of participants in the studyå?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

A1. Almost 75% 

A2. Yokohama City University 

A3. 11. Tokyo + 10 more

Photo Credit: Tamanna Rumee @ Pixabay

Do you know what day is the busiest shopping day in America? You may think that many holidays and special events in America are busy shopping days, but there is one special event in America that is the busiest, and that is “Black Friday.” 

Maybe you have heard about “Black Friday” before. There are three unique facts that you should know about “Black Friday” in the United States. First, Black Friday is a busy shopping day because it is considered to be the start of the Christmas shopping season. Unlike in Japan, many people buy Christmas presents for many friends and family in the US. Second, Black Friday is always on the same Friday every year – the fourth Friday of November, on the day after Thanksgiving. Third, Black Friday gets its name from the shorthand phrase “in the black” which refers to “profits” and a successful business period. 

One interesting thing about Black Friday is how the day has recently become popularized in Japan in the past few years. It’s common now in Japan to see many shopping centers promote Black Friday sales heavily during the month of November. However, while Black Friday has become familiar to many Japanese people in recent years, Black Friday in America is very different from Japan. 

First, unlike Japan, where Black Friday signs are now seemingly everywhere all throughout November, In America, Black Friday is only during one single day – the fourth Friday in November. As Black Friday in the U.S. is only during one day, many stores compete with each other to begin their Black Friday sales earlier than other rival stores. For example, many stores will advertise special Black Friday sales and promotions that begin at midnight or very early in the morning on Friday. It’s very common to see people in the U.S. line up very early in the morning and stand in line for hours in front of their favorite stores so they can be among the first people to enter the store and get the best Black Friday deals. Sometimes, you can see people bring tents and even camp out in front of their favorite stores at very early times in the morning so they can secure their place in line and be among the first to rush into the store. The competition to get the best Black Friday deals is very intense! 

Another interesting thing about Black Friday is how it has begun to change in recent years. While Black Friday used to be just a one day event, many Black Friday shopping deals now start earlier on the day before, on Thursdays, and end later, on the following Monday. Black Friday is proof that many special events can gradually change over time!

Questions:

Q1. What is the busiest shopping event in America?

Q2. Why is Black Friday a busy shopping day?

Q3. How has Black Friday changed in recent years?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. Black Friday

2. It is considered to be the start of the Christmas shopping season. It is also an event with many special sales and promotions

3. Many Black Friday deals now start earlier on Thursdays and end later on Mondays

Photo Credit: designecologist @ unsplash.com

Are you ready to enjoy your summer vacation after spring semester? I would like to introduce you to local information about fireworks near BKC, Ritsumeikan University. In Shiga, Japan, firework displays are a popular summertime tradition. These displays are usually held from July to September throughout the country, including Shiga. One notable event is the Lake Biwa Great Firework Festival, where 10,000 fireworks are launched into the air over Lake Biwa. This stunning display of light is accompanied by jets of fountain water, creating a harmonious spectacle. The festival takes place on August 8th, 2023. The launch time is from 19:30 to 20:30. The festival is held in Otsu city, which has convenient access by train from Kyoto and Osaka. You can take the JR Tokaido Line to Otsu Station and then transfer to the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to Hamaotsu Station, which is a 10-minute walk from the festival venue. 

Another fireworks event in Shiga is the Nagahama and Kita-Biwako Great Fireworks, which will be held on September 5th to 8th, 2023. The launch time is from 20:30 to 20:50 each day. The venue for this event is Nagahama Port in Nagahama City, and it can be accessed by an 8-minute walk from JR Nagahama. For more information, please visit the link: https://hanabi.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0725e00792/data.html

In addition to these specific events, there are likely other firework displays and festivals that take place in Shiga during the summer season. These events provide an impressive show and are a fantastic way to enjoy the summer in Shiga. Please check official websites or local sources for the most up-to-date information on firework events in Shiga. Enjoy!

Questions:

1: What is the Nagahama Kita-Biwako Great Firework Festival known for?

2: How many fireworks are launched during the Lake Biwa Great Firework Festival?

3: When does the Lake Biwa Great Firework Festival take place?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

Answer 1: It is known for launching more than 10,000 fireworks, focused in the always impressive star mines, beautifully illuminating both the summer sky and the stunning Lake Biwa.

Answer 2: 10,000 fireworks are launched into the air over Lake Biwa during the Lake Biwa Great Fireworks Festival.

Answer 3: It will be held on August 8th, 2023.

Photo Credit: Kai Reschke @ Pixabay

Have you ever wondered why Japan has curry when none of your near Asian neighbours have it? Some of you may be fully aware of the answer, but some of you may not. The answer is Japanese curry is from the English via India. In the Meiji period, the Japanese Navy worked closely with the Royal Navy and it was introduced to the Japanese public in the 1870s from the Japanese Navy. To this day in the Japanese Navy, Friday is curry day. 

And, talking about Indian food, what do you think of? Curry? Of course. Spicy? Usually. Potatoes? Tomatoes? In fact, chillies, potatoes and tomatoes were introduced to India from South America in the 1600s by the Portuguese, and they, the Indians, made wonderful use of them. Then chillies spread to China, Korea (imagine kimchi without spice) and the rest of Asia. 

Why do Americans call chips (British English) French Fries? French Fries are from Belgium from Spain from Peru and Bolivia. They’re called “French Fries” in America because that is where Americans first saw them, in France. The British famous dish of “fish and chips” was possibly also introduced from Portugal as the Portuguese have a longer tradition of frying fish and vegetables (like tempura). Potatoes have become such an important food around the world that 350 million tonnes were produced in 2020 with 25% of them grown in China. 

Tomatoes also have an interesting history, travelling from Mesoamerica (the slim part between North America and South America) to the rest of the world. Imagine a salad or pizza (most pizzas) without tomatoes or a lot of other European foods. However, when tomatoes were introduced to Europe, people would not eat them and only grew them to look pretty in the garden. The reason for this was the belief that tomatoes were poisonous. 

This blog is too short to explore this topic in any real detail, but it might inspire you to think about where your food is from. We all share one tiny planet in a huge galaxy and an unimaginably big universe. We are lucky we are close enough to each other that we can share ideas, foods, herbs and spices, art, music, and everything that makes us an active member of the human race. And, on a final note, I will end with a quote (possibly from Robert Baden-Powell – founder of the Scouts organisation): “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.”

Questions:

1. Who introduced curry to Japan?

A. Indian

B. Chinese

C. British

2. Where did chilies come from?

A. Korea

B. South America

C. Portuguese

3. Why did Europeans not eat/use tomatoes at first?

A. they thought they were poisonous

B. they thought they were dirty

C. they did not like things from America

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. C

2. B

3. A

Photo Credit: Remaztered Studio @ Pixabay

The joy of sports is something that I have had since childhood. I have been playing some kind of sport for over 40 years. Whether it be playing basketball or going to watch pro games, sports have played an important role in who I am. 

When people think about sports, the first thing that comes to mind is often the physical benefits of doing sports and of course this is true. People who participate in sports often maintain a healthier body weight and suffer from fewer chronic diseases. There are also the psychological benefits of sports. Sports require communication skills, leadership and the ability to create and maintain interpersonal relationships. 

While all of these factors are important, I think there is one that is often overlooked. Sports are a vehicle for self expression. As an athlete I am constantly reminded of the fact that no matter how many athletes do the same sport, no two athletes do it exactly the same way. In the example of basketball, there have been countless words written comparing Lebron James, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but in truth, each is uniquely a different athlete and expresses their game different ways. 

For me, the day to day preparation, practice, and eventual performance of competition form is not only an athletic endeavor but also an artistic one that is uniquely human. The same can be said of the individual and community experiences of fan bases. Groups of fans often have their own attire and rituals associated with their favorite teams and players, and these rituals often mimic those of religious groups. These shared experiences give a certain meaning to the fan bases and collectively identify them as members of a community. 

In short, it is my hope that in some way you may begin to see the benefits of sports as not limited to only the physical and psychological, but also reaching into the society in general.

Questions:

1. What are some benefits of sports?

2. Who are the athletes mentioned in this entry?

3. How long has the author been playing sports?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. a. Physical benefits of health,

    b. psychological benefits of communication skills, leadership, and interpersonal relationships,  

    c. the opportunity to express oneself.

2. Lebron James, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant

3. Over 40 years

Photo Credit: Satoshi Hirayama @ Pexels

Every visitor to Kyoto has heard of geiko (the term for geisha in Kyoto) and maiko, but many don’t know where they live. Geiko and maiko live in hanamachi (Flower Towns or geisha districts), and there are five hanamachi in Kyoto. Four are located around the Shijo Kawaramachi intersection in central Kyoto, and the fifth is located about a twenty-minute walk from Ritsumeikan’s Kinugasa campus. 

The biggest and most famous geisha district is Gion Kobu, which is located very near Yasaka Shrine, mostly to the south of Shijo Dori. Gion Kobu had just under 100 geiko and maiko before the pandemic started, and the numbers have decreased a bit since then. Gion Kobu is well-known throughout Japan and beyond because of Miyako Odori, the Cherry Blossom Dance, held every April 1 – 30. If you have a chance, you should definitely try to see it at least once while you are in Kyoto. 

The second largest hanamachi is Miyagawa-cho, which is a little west of Gion Kobu, south of the Minamiza-theater, east of the Kamogawa. Miyagawa-cho had about sixty geiko and maiko in 2019. Miyagawa-cho also holds a popular dance in April, Kyo Odori. It usually runs for two weeks. Since the Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo is smaller than Gion Kobu’s, Kyo Odori is a bit more intimate than Miyako Odori although it as not as famous. Ponto-cho, the third largest district with fifty geiko and maiko, is named after the famous narrow street that is jammed with restaurants and tourists just west of the Kamogawa River. Ponto-cho’s annual dance, the Kamogawa Odori, is named after the river. 

The final two geisha districts are much smaller than the first three but no less interesting. Gion Higashi, like Gion Kobu, is located very close to Yasaka Shrine, but whereas Gion Kobu is mostly south of Shijo Dori, Gion Higashi is mostly to the north. Gion Higashi is the only one of the five hanamachi that has its main dance in the fall. Gion Odori is held from November 1 – 10 every year at Gion Kaikan, which has operated as a movie theater at other times of the year. If you are on Instagram and are interested in the culture of geiko and maiko, you might want to follow @tomikiku_gionhigashi. Tomikiku is an ochaya (tea house) in Gion Higashi, and the proprietress speaks English. All the posts are in Japanese and English and feature behind-the-scenes photos that you won’t see in many other places. 

Kamishichiken is the oldest hanamachi in Kyoto and the closest to Ritsumeikan. It is located next to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Both Gion Higashi and Kamishiciken have less than thirty geiko and maiko in their districts. Kamishichiken’s main dance is Kitano Odori, which begins at the end of March. Because Kamishichiken is located quite far from central Kyoto, it is the quietest. There are not as many tourists roaming the streets, which makes for a very pleasant experience.

Questions:

1. Miyako Odori is the first major dance held every year. True False

 

2. Gion Higashi is bigger than Gion Kobu. True False

 

3. Both Miyagawa-cho and Ponto-cho are located adjacent to the Kamogawa. True False

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. False (Kitano Odori begins at the end of March)

2. False (Gion Kobu is the largest)

3. True 

Photo Credit: Andrew Martin @ Pixabay

I grew up reading American comic books. I remember going to weekend swap meets and buying them for 10 cents each. My brother and I had stacks and stacks of comics in our room. Although I had a lot of funny comics such as Richie Rich and Archie, superhero comics were my favorite. That is why I am so happy with the world-wide popularity of superhero movies now. I can see the characters I loved in my youth come alive on the big screen. In addition, while comic books were something of a nerds’ hobby when I was young, modern superhero movies are mainstream and have become the most popular movies. In America there are two major superhero comic book publishers; DC Comics and Marvel Comics. DC superheroes include Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the Justice League. Marvel superheroes include Iron Man, Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Avengers. Although there have been some crossovers of these characters in comic books, they don’t exist in the same fictional worlds and don’t appear in movies together. 

DC superheroes were the first to have successful live action TV shows and movies. Superman movie serials were produced in the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the first big budget superhero movie was ‘Superman’, which debuted in 1978. It was so successful that it spawned three sequels. Similarly, Batman featured in a popular TV series in the 1960’s that had its own movie spinoff. The first megahit Batman movie opened in 1989. It led to three sequels with different directors and different actors playing Batman. Batman was also the star of a trilogy of smash hit movies that started with ‘Batman Begins’ in 2005. Likewise, ‘Wonder Woman’ was a hit TV show for four years in the late 1970’s. 

Marvel was quite late to the game compared to DC. Spider-Man’s live action debut didn’t happen until late 1978 and the show was cancelled after only 2 seasons. ‘The Incredible Hulk’ fared much better, as it was broadcast on TV from 1978 to 1982 and led to three TV movies in the late 1980’s. Marvel’s movie success didn’t come until the X-Men series (which had 10 movies) started in 2000 and a Spider-Man trilogy which began in 2002. However, even though Marvel had a slow start, they would greatly outdo DC in the modern era of superhero movies. 

The modern DCEU (DC Extended Universe) began with 2013’s ‘Man of Steel’. Since then, 9 other DC movies have appeared with heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Shazam and the Suicide Squad. The movies have had varying degrees of success. On the other hand, the modern MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) started with 2008’s ‘Iron Man’. Currently, there are 30 movies (which have almost all been major hits) with more coming seemingly every month. The MCU features superheroes such as Captain America, Ant-Man, Black Widow, Captain Marvel and Black Panther. Marvel superheroes have become unstoppable juggernauts at the movie theater and their DC counterparts are definitely playing catchup. However, superhero fans such as myself are the real winners because there is no end in sight to more of these amazing, action-packed films.

Questions:

1. Who is a DC superhero?

A. Superman

B. Spiderman

C. Archie

2. How many movies were there in the X-men movie series?

A. 3

B. 10

C. 30

3. When was the first movie of the modern DC universe (DCEU) shown in theaters?

A. 1978

B. 2005

C. 2013

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. A

2. B

3. C

Photo Credit: RetroSupply @ unsplash.com

Storytelling is part of all cultures. Being able to tell a good story either orally or through writing is a good skill to have. Most stories have a similar structure: 

• Beginning 

• Middle 

• End 

Stories also must have a central conflict. The conflict is the problem or obstacle your main character, or protagonist, is trying to solve or overcome. (The secondary character who opposes the main character is called the antagonist.) Ask yourself “what does my main character want?” Making it difficult for your main character to get what he or she wants provides the conflict. 

Beginning: introduction of the conflict 

Middle: attempts to solve the conflict 

End: resolution of the conflict. Does your main character succeed or fail? 

Your story should rise in a way that each obstacle placed in the way of the protagonist becomes more difficult to overcome until you reach the most difficult obstacle just before the story ends. The most difficult and exciting point is called the climax. Remember, the climax is always at the end of the story just before you reveal whether your protagonist succeeds or fails. 

When you begin to create or tell a story you must know the conflict. Also, it is helpful to know the ending before you start, even if you change the ending as you write. Next time you read a story, try to identify the conflict.

Below is a retold story originally told by Aesop. Can you identify the conflict? 

The Fox and the Crow

Once there was a crow that had stolen a piece of cheese. She was perched on a tree branch ready to eat her meal when a fox approached. The fox saw the cheese and wanted it. However, he couldn’t climb the tree to get the cheese. He thought for a moment and then called up to the crow. “Madam crow,” said the fox. “You have the most beautiful feathers—more beautiful even than a peacock or pheasant.” 

The crow turned her head and looked at the fox because she had never received such a compliment. “But alas,” continued the fox, “I have not heard your voice. I’m sure your voice matches that of a song bird, but since I have never heard it, how am I to know? If I could just hear you sing, I would proclaim you queen of the birds.” The crow wanted to show the fox that she had a beautiful voice to match her feathers so she opened her mouth to sing, dropping the cheese. The fox quickly picked it up and ran off.

Questions:

1. What are the three parts of a story and what is the element of each?

2. What is a protagonist? 

3. What is the conflict in the “Fox and the Crow?”

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1. Beginning: introduction of the conflict. Middle: attempts to solve the conflict. End: resolution of the conflict.

2. The main character who is trying to overcome the conflict or solve the problem

3. The fox wants the crow’s cheese but can’t get at it.