Photo Credit: Bruno Mattos @Pexels.com

 

Food that is common in one country can be changed into something new and original when it is taken away from its traditional roots. However, for us, it is so normal that we can hardly imagine it being any different.

 

A good example of this is green tea. A matcha drink at a cafe in Kyoto will be carefully prepared by someone who probably appreciates the ways of the tea ceremony. He or she pays special attention to the grade of tea, makes sure that it is not clumped together before whisking, checks that the color is emerald green and that the water temperature is just right.

 

Another familiar food is mochi filled with red bean paste (anko). It can be found almost anywhere: in supermarkets, fancy “wagashi” shops in department stores, and along Nishiki Market. Some of these shops have been selling Japanese tea snacks for centuries. The most modern of them have added fresh strawberries inside, but nothing more radical than that. Although these things are common in Kyoto, they can take on other forms abroad.

 

In Central Europe, in Warsaw, Poland, I had the opportunity to try some very different matcha and mochi. Japan is located on the other side of the world from Poland, making its food and customs feel very exotic. It seems that the farther away the country is, the more interesting and appealing Japanese things are. Sushi restaurants are popular in big cities in Poland, but I was surprised to see new ideas for matcha and mochi designed to appeal to a different market. At a trendy cafe called Deseo on the beach of the Baltic Sea, I had iced matcha with fresh raspberries. The barista made it with Uji green tea powder using an electric milk frother. He said nobody is trained to use a tea whisk (chasen). Another drink had half tonic water and half matcha, and both drinks had big ice cubes. This was not what I was used to in Kyoto!

 

Simply using matcha powder is one thing, but making mochi and filling it requires more skill and expertise. I walked into a little shop with blue neon lights and signs with their mascot, a harp seal that looked like the “Shirotan” plush toy. The little mochi pouches were enclosed in plastic capsules that looked like they were packaged for the “gacha gacha” machines selling toys in Japan. The flavors to choose from did not include any with red bean paste. The choices were mango, creamy Snickers, Oreo, cherry brownie, pistachio, lavender, strawberry, and coconut almond. I chose lavender. It was delicate and delicious, made with slightly sweetened lavender jelly with mascarpone cream. The texture was like tiramisu tucked in a pillow of mochi. I was really surprised how good it was.

 

However, there was one thing I wanted to know. I asked the shop clerk if there were any “real” Japanese flavors. Alas, the clerk did not know anything whatsoever of the mochi native to Japan, its fillings and that it was certainly not sold in plastic capsules. In effect, their products delight a new crowd of young people looking for something new to try from the exotic country of Japan but not caring about the originals.

 

 

Questions:

Q1. How was the mochi shop decorated?

 

Q2. How was mochi packaged in the Polish shop?

 

Q3. What was the texture of the mochi filling in the Polish shop?

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1. Blue neon lights and harp seal characters

A2. In plastic capsules

A3. Soft and creamy like tiramisu

Photo Credit: RDNE Stock project @Pexels.com

 

The Japanese people are known to be sensitive and appreciative of the seasons. We have four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter, and each has its own beauty. There are many festivals and customs to celebrate the seasons.

 

One of the customs is called “Koromogae”: a seasonal change of clothing. In Japan, it’s usual for the people to start wearing short sleeved clothes at the beginning of June, and they go back to long sleeves at the beginning of October. I have always followed this tradition up until 2024.

 

The world had its hottest summer in 2024, including Japan. Global warming seems to be speeding up these days. In Osaka, where I live, from July to September for 2 months, the temperature was over 35 degrees Celsius. And even in mid-October, the temperature was as high as 29 degrees. In my entire life, this was the first time that I wore short-sleeved shirts in mid-October.

 

However, the majority of the people here in the Kansai area wear long-sleeved clothes in October, even when it is hot. Why?! I believe that’s because the Japanese people are faithful in following tradition. Let me share my personal experience of when I was going to graduate school in the U.S.A.

 

I went to a university called Brigham Young University, the largest private university in the U.S. It’s in a small town called Provo, an hour south from Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Utah has a lot of deserts, so it’s very dry. It gets very hot in the summer, but very cold in the winter. Utah is famous for its snow and has many famous ski resorts.

 

What surprised me was that most people in Utah wear short sleeves all year around. In the winter, they just wear heavy jackets over the short-sleeved shirts. And in the spring, even though it’s still cold, when there was a sunny day, I saw many students (boys) lying on the grass shirtless. I thought this would never happen in Japan.

 

I love the fact that Japanese people are sensitive to the seasons and there is a custom like “Koromogae,” but this custom may change in the near future due to the unusual warm weather. I think that we should be wearing short-sleeves when it’s hot, even if it’s in the middle of October. Until then, Japanese people will be wearing long sleeves regardless of the high temperature in October!

 

Questions:

Q1. Why does the author think that Japanese people wear long-sleeved clothes regardless of the high temperature in October?

 

Q2. What surprised the writer when he was going to school in America?

 

Q3. When do Japanese people usually start wearing short-sleeved shirts?

 

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

A1. They are faithful in following the custom of "Kromogae."

A2. Male students would lie down on the grass shirtless in April when it was a sunny day.

A3. They usually start wearing them at the beginning of June.

Photo Credit: Roman Ska @pexels.com 

 

Imagine you are a fresh university student who decides to live by yourself. What kind of home would you like to live in? There is quite an interesting housing option in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which is easy on the wallet. Can you guess what it is like? They are container homes. I once found an article about these unique houses, and I would like to introduce them to you.

 

First of all, why were container homes born in Amsterdam? The biggest reason is that housing in the city is quite expensive, similar to living in Tokyo, and it is very challenging for students to find low-cost apartments. Therefore, there is a shortage of reasonable housing for students. The next question would be, “Where did the idea of building houses made of containers come from?” The answer is that there are thousands of unused shipping containers in ports around the world. Although steel companies recycle some of the old containers, they cannot recycle all of them. That’s why there are just so many containers left behind. Therefore, the idea to reuse the shipping containers as student housing came up. Actually, the materials are suitable for creating houses.

 

First of all, shipping containers are basically all the same size, so it is quite easy to build up and it does not take a lot of space to make a new residential area. Also, it takes very little energy to reuse the containers for housing because there is no need to create a house from scratch. Next, containers are made of steel and the steel is strong. Strength is quite an essential factor when building a house. Finally, the containers are so widely available that they are quite cheap to buy. That can lead to offering students affordable housing.

 

How affordable is it, by the way? According to the article, the monthly rent is about €400, which is around \65,000. (Note: it was in 2015 when this container housing project started) It is about half the price of the average rental fee of a so-called studio apartment in the Netherlands. That is a brief background that shows why the container houses were born and why they are suitable for housing.

 

What is the inside of the container houses actually like? Do you think it is attractive enough for university students that they would want to live there? According to students who have actually lived in the container houses, each apartment is quite spacious. It has a kitchen, a bedroom with a study area, and a bathroom. Some students say that it is bright, and it also has its own balcony. It is warm and quiet. In addition, it has a high-speed Internet connection, too. Therefore, it seems like a comfortable environment for university students.

 

Nowadays, shipping containers are not only used for homes but also for a huge container shopping mall, container offices, restaurants, coffee shops, and mobile health clinics, for example. Would you like to live in a container house?

 

Questions:

 

Q1. In which city are the container homes the author talks about located?

a. The Netherlands

b. Amsterdam

c. Tokyo

 

Q2. Which of these is NOT an advantage of container homes?

a. They are strong

b. They look beautiful

c. They are affordable

 

Q3. How do you think the author feels about container homes is?

a. They are a good idea.

b. They are over-priced.

c. The author would prefer a normal apartment

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

 

Answers:

1. b

2. b

3. a

Photo credit: Cottonbro Studio @ pexels.com

 

I started dancing when I was three years old. My mother took me to my first dance class. It was a ballet class. Since then, I have danced ballet, jazz, contemporary and traditional Japanese dance for over fifty years. There are several reasons why dance experiences have been beneficial in my life.

 

First of all, it has given me the ability to communicate with various people. Dance taught me the strength of body language. The combination of body language and words can deepen communication. Even if I was not fluent in a language by combining body language somehow, I was able to communicate. This way I have been able to make friends all over the world.

 

In addition, dance has stimulated my creativity and imagination. I have enjoyed choreographing (creating) new original dance after I acquired dance techniques by attending many classes. I have learned to combine movement and music with a theme to perform on stage. In order to come up with a theme, I read, visited museums, took walks in nature and listened to all kinds of music to be inspired. The imagination has no limits.

 

Finally, in order to dance, maintaining good health is a must. To dance I have been very conscious about eating healthy food, keeping my body flexible and mind clear. I am constantly thinking about a balanced meal. I try to stretch all the time as I keep a healthy mind.

 

I believe after all these years I will not be able to stop dancing. It is a big part of my life. I am very grateful towards my mother who took me to my first dance class. At that time, I did not know how it would influence my life in so many ways. I will continue to dance for at least 40 more years if I can.

 

 

Questions

Q1. When did the author start dancing?

Q2. In what three ways has dance improved the author’s life?

Q3. How many more years will she try to dance?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

A1. When she was 3 years old

A2. Dance helped her communicate better, use her imagination, and eat well.

A3. She wants to dance 40 more years.

Photo Credit: Vallentin @pexels.com 

 

As an English teacher living in Japan, experiencing the seasons here has been quite different from what I’m used to back in the UK. Both countries have four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—but the way each season feels and is celebrated can be very different.

 

Spring: Cherry Blossoms vs. Daffodils

In Japan, spring is famous for the beautiful cherry blossoms, or sakura. People in Japan love to have picnics under these pink and white flowers during the cherry blossom festivals. In the UK, spring is also a lovely season, where flowers like daffodils and bluebells cover the parks and gardens. While we don’t have big picnics under the trees, the blooming flowers are a cheerful sight after the cold winter.

 

Summer: Festivals and Rain

Japanese summers are hot and full of lively festivals. People wear yukata, which are like light kimonos, and enjoy fireworks and street food. In the UK, our summers are usually cooler and, let’s be honest, a bit rainy. We do have music festivals and barbecues whenever the sun decides to shine, which makes for a fun time too.

 

Autumn: Leaves and More Leaves

Autumn in Japan is as stunning as the spring, with the leaves turning bright red, orange, and yellow. People go to parks and mountains just to see this colorful display. In the UK, autumn is also beautiful with the leaves changing color, but it’s generally more subdued. We enjoy cozy evenings as it starts to get colder.

 

Winter: Snowscapes vs. Dark Days

Winters can be quite different. In Japan, places like Hokkaido are famous for their snow festivals with huge ice sculptures. In other parts of Japan, New Year is a big celebration where families come together. In the UK, winter is more about short days and long nights. We get some snow, but it’s not as common. Christmas is a huge deal, and cities light up with decorations and markets.

 

Living in Japan has shown me how differently seasons can be experienced and celebrated in another culture. While the UK seasons are more about subtle changes and quiet beauty, Japan’s seasons are full of vivid colors and festivals. Both places have their unique charm, making each season special in its own way.

 

 

Questions:

Q1. What season do British people associate daffodils with?

Q2. What is one problem with summers in England?

Q3. Which of the countries gets more snow?

 

Scroll down ↓ for answers:

 

 

A1. Spring

A2. It is too rainy.

A3. Japan

Photo credit: The author 

 

As an architect and a designer, Antoni Gaudí has spoken to countless people through his many creations, most of which can be seen in Barcelona. Do you know that one of the people to whom Gaudí’s work has spoken quite loudly and eloquently used to attend a university in Kyoto? It’s true. He is the Japanese stone cutter, Etsuro Sotoo. 

 

Sotoo, a graduate of the Kyoto City University of Arts, traveled to Europe in 1978, one year after he graduated. As you can see, he was not much older than most of the students at Ritsumeikan University when he did that. That’s amazing, isn’t it? 

 

After arriving in Barcelona, he was so moved by Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, that Sotoo chose to stay and learn about him, his genius, and his work. He said “I just came to Europe to carve stone. I was looking for stone and stone introduced me to La Sagrada Família and La Sagrada Família introduced me to Gaudí” (National Geographic, 2013). 

 

Sotoo strove to understand Gaudí and honor him through his own stone cutting work. In so doing, he has, for more than 40 years, made significant contributions to the construction of La Sagrada Família. This includes the work Sotoo did on the east façade of the basilica. It is there, in the Nativity scene, that we can see fifteen statues of angels that Sotoo created. He even created a few of them with Asian faces. After all, according to Sotoo, angels from the east are needed, too (Public Relations Office, Government of Japan, 2012). (A photo of Sotoo’s angels can be seen above.) 

 

Sotoo’s passion for Gaudí’s work caused him to reconsider his values and to become Catholic. As you can see, art can be a very powerful language. Does it speak to you? If so, which medium (language) do you prefer to listen to, or with which one do you prefer to create? 

 

References  

National Geographic (2013, Dec. 14). Unorthodox sculpting. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MW5Us3E--0  

 

Public Relations Office, Government of Japan (2012, Dec.) Realizing Gaudi’s Unfulfilled Wishes: Etsuro Sotoo (Spain).

https://www.govonline.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201212/201212_05.html

Questions:

 

Q1. When did Sotoo travel to Europe?

a. Straight after he graduated.

b. A little while after graduation.

c. A year before he graduated.

 

Q2. Where can you see many of Gaudi’s works?

a. Barcelona

b. Ritsumeikan University

c. In the Public relations Office of the Government of Japan

 

Q3. How did Sotoo show his passion for Gaudi’s work?

a. He introduced Gaudi to Japanese visitors.

b. He helped to build Gaudi’s greatest work.

c. He looked for stone to use for La Sagrada Família.

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

 

Answers

A1: b

A2: a

A3: b

Photo Credit: Nobuaki Irie@pexels.com

 

 

On my 11th birthday, my cousin gave me a record of the popular singing duo, the Carpenters as a present. Of course, I didn't understand English at all back then. However, fascinated by the beautiful singing voice and melody, I wanted to know the meaning of the lyrics. That was my first encounter with English. At the age of twelve, I was impressed by the dynamic singing voice of The Three Degrees, a black trio who was as popular as the Carpenters in Japan, and that was how I became interested in Soul Music (R&B).

 

The following year, a group of five black brothers called Tavares caught my eye while watching TV. I instantly became a big fan of them and joined the Tavares fan club, which was backed up by a Japanese record company (Toshiba EMI) when I was in junior high school. Perhaps because I was very enthusiastic about the group, I ended up becoming the president of the fan club during my high school years. I often held Tavares record concerts and even went to radio stations to promote their songs. My dream was to go to a Tavares concert and meet them in America someday. So, I studied English hard to make that dream come true.

 

Tavares eventually disappeared from the music scene, not releasing records anymore in the late 1980s. When I was giving up my dream of meeting them, I heard the news that Tavares was coming to Japan to give concerts even in my home town of Osaka! Right after reading the news, I wrote to their record company even though I wasn’t sure if my letter would reach the group. I really wanted to thank them for their music that had enriched my life and given me a lot of joy and happiness. It is no exaggeration to say that they helped me become an English teacher. On the day of their concert in Osaka, my dreams finally came true. Not only was I able to hear their singing live but also allowed to meet them backstage. Tavares looked at me and said, "You are the one who wrote us." Yes, they had received my letter! The members were very happy to see me, and we took pictures together. The photos are still my lifelong treasures even to this day.

 

Just like this, through English, I was able to fulfill my dream. I hope that you too will meet many wonderful people and have valuable experiences by using English. Make your dreams come true with English!

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. How did the author encounter English?

Q2. What was the name of the group that the author became the president of the fan club for?

Q3. How did the author’s dream come true?

 

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

1.         The author’s cousin gave him a record of the Carpenters for his birthday.

2.         Tavares

3.         The author was able to see Tavares' concert in Osaka and meet them backstage.

Photo Credit: Charlotte May@pexels.com

 

 

The Japanese tea ceremony, known as “sadō/chadō” or "chanoyu,” is a profound cultural practice that transcends the mere act of drinking tea. Rooted in the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, Japanese culture and spirit are woven into every aspect of tea ceremony etiquette.

 

At its core, the Japanese tea ceremony is not just about enjoying a cup of tea but also about appreciating the beauty of simplicity, mindfulness, and life. The ceremony is often held in a special tea room, a pure space designed to foster a sense of tranquility and mindfulness. The architectural elements and seasonal decorations within the room play an important role in creating an atmosphere that complements the tea-drinking experience. The tea room welcomes guests by being decorated with hanging scrolls and seasonal flowers and plants.

 

A typical example of a Chinese character phrase often used in hanging scrolls is wa kei sei jaku,” meaning harmony, respect, purity, and solitude, representing an atmosphere of respect and harmony between host and guests. Silence is often maintained during the ceremony, allowing guests to enjoy subtle sounds such as the rustling of the tea whisk or the quiet pouring of water.

 

During a tea ceremony, the main activities are observing “teishu” (the host) make tea, eating Japanese sweets, and drinking powdered green tea. Every gesture has a deep meaning, from the way the host purifies their utensils to the direction they turn to leave and how they present the tea bowl.

 

In the tea ceremony, there is a moment when “chashaku” (the tea scoop) and “chaire” (the tea caddy, a container for powdered green tea) are wiped with a silk cloth called "fukusa." This act is not about cleaning due to dirt but rather symbolizes purification. In reality, it may seem unnecessary, wasteful, and inefficient. However, it is done to welcome and treat guests to the fullest extent. Throughout the tea ceremony, the host may leave the tea room several times. Typically, the host avoids showing their back to the guests when moving around or exiting, but when leaving with a water container called “kensui,” the host deliberately turns their back. This is because the water in the container is not pristine after being used, so the host turns away from the guests' view. Tea bowls usually have a distinguishable front and back, and when serving the bowl, it is placed in such a way that the front faces the guest.

 

When a guest, on the other hand, is about to drink tea, they pick up the tea bowl, presented with the bowl’s front facing them, they should turn it twice in their hands, and then begin to sip. This gesture is a consideration to avoid placing their mouth directly on the depicted scene on the front of the bowl. In this way, the Japanese tea ceremony is a culture that fosters a sense of respect for everything and everyone present, transcending the immediate participants—both the host and the guest—making it an enjoyable experience that values mindfulness and appreciation for all aspects, including those not physically present.

 

We, modern people, are sometimes so engulfed in the hustle of our daily lives that we do not have time to relax, enjoy time, and reflect on our own lives. However, I believe that occasionally participating in a tea ceremony can provide a precious opportunity to sense that we are living together in a vast world.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

1 What is the significance of turning the tea bowl twice in the hands before sipping tea?

a) It adds a decorative element to the ceremony.

b) It prevents spillage.

c) It avoids placing the mouth directly on the depicted scene.

d) It follows a specific dance routine.

 

2 Why does the host turn their back when leaving with a water container called Kensui?

a) To show disrespect to the guests.

b) To hide the water container.

c) To demonstrate efficiency.

d) To maintain purity in the water container.

 

3 What does the act of wiping the tea scoop and tea caddy symbolize during the ceremony?

a) Cleaning due to dirt.

b) Aesthetic decoration.

c) Symbolic purification.

d) Expressing efficiency.

 

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

1.         C

2.         B

3.         C

Photo Credit: cottonbro studio@pexels.com

 

 

In English conversation classes, sometimes the topic turns to “What is the best way to learn English?” Of course, there is no one best way to learn—each person is different, but... as an English teacher, I have my opinions. When someone suggests that watching movies in English is an interesting way to get listening practice, I mostly agree with them. Movies are interesting and a learner can usually hear a lot of English. However, I think that watching television programs is probably better. I have a couple of reasons for this.

 

The first reason is that television shows are both shorter and longer than movies. Why shorter? On one hand, an episode of a TV program is usually between 25 and 60 minutes long—under one hour. On the other hand, a movie might be two hours long. If someone is listening intensely to their second language, a shorter time will be less tiring and more enjoyable. Why longer? An episode of a TV program is like a chapter in a book, but a movie is like a whole book. TV programs tell a story over are the entire series: that could be six episodes or twenty or more! In TV shows, the story can become deeper and more interesting because the person watching spends much more time with the characters.

 

The second reason is that television programs are just talkier. In an episode of a TV program, characters will talk more than characters in a movie. TV programs tell more of the story through dialogue than movies, so a learner will hear more English in ten minutes of a TV program than they will in ten minutes of a movie.

 

Why do I say that television is talkier than movies? This is because of the different histories of the two mediums.

 

Movies are a visual experience. They have always been primarily a visual medium. Until about 1930, movies were silent. A language of visual storytelling was developed for films, and this visual language has continued, changed, and expanded until the present. Television influenced some of the changes to visual storytelling because, when TV began in the 1940s and 50s, people started going to movies less. To get more people into the movie theatres, the movie industry created movies that offered a visual spectacle—colour, widescreen, even 3D—that TV could not match. For these reasons, much or most of the story in a film today will be told through the images and spectacle.

 

Television is more an audio experience. TV came from radio—almost all early TV performers and writers came from radio rather than the movie industry. This made sense because the radio networks already had infrastructure that could be adapted to broadcast television signals and were producing regular programs that could be easily adapted to television. As well, early television sets had small screens that could not show detail like the big screen of the movie theatres: characters had to talk more so the viewer could understand the story. Because television programs were written like radio programs, people listened to the television in the same way they listened to the radio. Someone might cook dinner with the television on or do homework while watching a favourite TV show. No one cooks dinner or reads a book in a movie theatre.

 

The emphasis on using dialogue to tell a story in television shows has continued even until the present day. This is why I think television is better for listening to English than movies. Of course, I always tell students that movies are good... but television is better.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. Why are TV programs shorter than movies?

Q2. Why are TV progams longer than movies?

Q3. What kind of experience are movies?

Q4. What kind of experience is television?

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

1.         They are usually less than an hour for one episode, but a movie is usually two or more hours.

2.         There are many episodes used to tell a story. Movies usually tell the whole story in the movie.

3.         Visual experiences

4.         Audio experiences

Photo Credit: Designecologist@pexels.com

 

 

The origin of fireworks in Japan can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1867), when a water god festival (Sui-Jin-Sai) was held on the Sumida River in 1733. At that time, famine and epidemics caused many deaths in the Kansai and Edo areas. The first fireworks display was held to commemorate the dead and a prayer to drive out the plague. 　

 

Later, many fireworks makers started setting off a lot of fireworks as if they were competing with each other. The two most famous makers, "Tamaya" and "Kagiya"emerged and became well known as a call that spectators shout as they are moved when looking up at the fireworks. This was accepted by the common people of Edo, who preferred the spectacular, and the launching of fireworks took root as a standard event for river-opening ceremonies.

 

The hot and humid climate of Japan also made fireworks displays more deeply rooted in the evening cool-down culture of watching fireworks while enjoying the night breeze. Thus, in Japan, fireworks displays are loved by many people as a summer tradition.

 

Here are two of my favorite fireworks displays:

1. Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival (Biwako-Dai-Hanabitaikai)

This festival is a summer tradition at Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. About 10,000 fireworks light up the night sky, attracting 300,000 to 400,000 people each year. The fireworks are launched very close to each other, creating an impressive show.

 

2. Atami Marine Fireworks Festival (Atami-Kaijo-Hanabitaikai)

It is held in my hometown of Shizuoka Prefecture, and this festival takes place in Atami Bay. The bay is praised by fireworks companies for its excellent location. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the bay's shape amplifies the sound of the fireworks, creating an effect similar to a large stadium. When you watch near the sea, you can feel the sound of the fireworks through your body. The best way to experience this is to lie down on the beach. This unique marine fireworks show makes the most of its venue.

 

I hope you look forward to your summer vacation and enjoy these fantastic displays.

 

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. Which fireworks makers are mentioned as having started setting off fireworks competitively?

A) Tamaya and Kagiya

B) Atami and Sumida

C) Kansai and Edo

 

Q2. Why did fireworks displays become a part of the evening cool-down culture in Japan?

A) Because of the hot and humid climate

B) Because of the clear night skies

C) Because of the long summer days

 

Q3. What is unique about the Atami Bay location for fireworks displays?

A) It is shaped like a "mortar" and surrounded by mountains on three sides.

B) It has a large stadium for viewing.

C) It is located in the Kansai area.

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

1.         A

2.         A

3.         A