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

Photo Credit: Marcus Ireland@pexels.com

 

 

What do you think of when you hear the word “opera”? What is opera? Opera is a stage play where the actors sing rather than speak their lines. Opera incorporates drama, orchestral music, singing, dancing, costumes, and set design among others. Opera started more than 400 years ago and continues to remain popular. There are two types of opera: opera seria, which is a tragedy, and opera buffa, which is a comedy. The person who writes the music is called the composer while the person who writes the words is called the librettist. The librettist writes the libretto, which means a little book in Italian. The libretto is the script, which contains all the words.

 

Librettists are unjustly forgotten. Seldom—if ever—is the librettist’s name included when referring to or advertising the opera production. However, everything starts with the words. While a composer and lyricist for a musical might work together as the songs are created, an opera composer never starts until the words are more or less set. Some composers demand changes to the words as the music is composed, other composers do not. Still, most people come to listen to the beautiful music so understanding the words is not as important. While many opera houses have displays that run translations of the words as they are sung, it is best to know the story before going.

 

What is the difference between operas and musicals? While operas are sung from beginning to end, musicals, traditionally, are not. Even though there are some modern musicals that are also sung from beginning to end, they are not operas. The difference lies in the complexity of the music and the ability of the singers. While singers in musicals use microphones to amplify their voices, opera singers receive no such assistance; they must project their voices to the top seats in the highest balcony. Furthermore, operas are not only about powerful voices, but also about voice control and range. In other words, they are about the quality and ability of the singers. The songs in operas are not easy to sing and only the best trained and talented singers can hit the right notes.

 

The followings are the recommended operas for first timers:

The Barber of Seville: Composer—Gioachino Rossini/Librettist—Cesar Sterbini. This is a comic opera about a servant, Figaro, who tries to get the beautiful Rosina away from her perverted guardian and into the arms of the man she loves.

 

Hansel and Gretel: Composer—Englebert Humperdinck/Librettist—Adelheid Wette. This is a short opera about two abandoned children who come upon a witch’s cottage in the woods.

 

Carmen: Composer—Georges Bizet/Librettists—Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. This opera is about a soldier, Don Jose, who falls in love with a gypsy woman, Carmen, who ultimately betrays and rejects Don Jose.

 

The Kansai region has many opera companies, so if you love beautiful music and live theater, I would recommend going to an opera.

 

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. Who writes the words for opera?

a. The lyricist.

b. The librettist.

c. The composer.

 

Q2. What is comic opera called?

a. opera buffa.

b. opera seria.

c. soap opera.

 

Q3. Why do many believe opera to be the perfect art form?

a. Because it has great singers.

b. Because the music is beautiful.

c. Because it incorporates many other arts.

 

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

1. b—the librettist.

2. a—opera buffa.

3. c—Because it incorporates many other arts.

Photo Credit: Oleksandr P@ pexels.com

 

 

Do you like traveling? If so, what do you think are indispensable factors which make your trip memorable? I travel over 10 times a year, both inside and outside of Japan. Scrutinizing destinations, finding nice accommodations and restaurants, and conducting thorough research on must-visit places are important tasks to plan perfect itineraries. However, these carefully prepared plans are sometimes ruined by one factor: the companion. I have traveled with one friend over 20 times for the last 3 years. She is my ultimate travel companion and always makes my trip special and full of fun and new discoveries.

 

There are three key conditions that make her the ideal companion:

 

Independence

She makes her own decisions and takes care of herself. We don't overly rely on each other and naturally enjoy solo adventures. Our accommodation choice is always a single room, allowing us to have personal space. Keeping appropriate distance physically and mentally can create more comfortable trips.

 

Similar sense of time and money

It is rare for either of us to keep the other waiting during trips. We make schedules and to-do lists with time to spare. We love budget-friendly travels but are not afraid to spend money when it enhances our experience. We find value both in eating a rice ball while gazing at the deep blue ocean in Okinawa and enjoying a luxurious hot spring resort in Hokkaido. She can strike a perfect balance between frugality and enjoyment.

 

Fun conversation

One of the most significant aspects of our trips is the fun conversations we share. While traveling, we spend long hours at the airports, on trains, or in my car. If we can make the most of this time in an enjoyable way, our travels would be extremely pleasant. Can everyone have a fun conversation? Certainly not. Fun conversations require a wide range of knowledge, intelligence, sensitivity to company, and a good sense of humor. During the trips, we talk to have fun, not to share gossip. After the trip ends, it isn’t the content of our conversations that we remember, it is just the feeling of joy and fun we experienced.

 

Having the right travel companion is the key to making our trip perfect. Thanks to her, my trips are always filled with unforgettable memories, exciting experiences, and plenty of laughs. Not everyone enjoys traveling with a companion like me though. But whether you prefer to travel with a companion or by yourself, in order to have the most memorable experience, you should consider what the most important travel factors are for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. According to the passages, which is NOT included in the author’s perfect

 itinerary?

A. Booking high-end restaurants

B. Choosing destinations

C. Getting detailed information about sightseeing spots

 

Q2. Which is mentioned about the author’s trips?

A. Doing something alone is also exciting.

B. Perfect trips always require a lot of money.

C. Gossiping is one of the fun aspects of trips.

 

Q3. What do you think of the author’s personality?

A. Reserved.

B. Unplanned.

C. Talkative.

 

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

1.         A. Booking high-end restaurants.

2.         A. Doing something alone is also exciting.

3.         A. Reserved.

 

Photo Credit: Yan Krukau@pexels.com

Joining a circle or club is an important part of Japanese university life. These organizations are often called “student groups” in English-speaking countries. It helps make your time in college more exciting and can teach you many things.

First, being part of a student group can help you make friends. When you start university, it's common to feel a bit lost or alone. Joining a group means you meet people who share your interests. You can make friends and feel like you belong. It's like finding a little family on campus.

Student groups also give you a chance to learn new things. You can join a group that matches your hobbies, like music, sports, or art. Or you can explore something totally different. In groups, you'll learn from others and maybe even discover a new passion.

Moreover, student groups help you build skills beyond the classroom. You can become a leader, learn to work with a team, or plan events. These are skills that are important in your future job and life. It's like getting a head start on gaining experience.

Being part of a student group can reduce stress. University life can get overwhelming with exams and assignments. Group activities provide a fun and relaxing break. You can enjoy doing what you love with friends, and it can be a great way to relieve stress.

Student groups often organize events and activities. This means you'll have something exciting to do on campus. It's not all about studying. You can go to parties, games, or shows. This makes your time in university more enjoyable.

Another great thing is that student groups sometimes give back to the community. They do charity work and help those in need. Being part of such groups teaches you about kindness and helping others. It's a great way to make the world a better place.

In conclusion, joining a student group is a smart choice for university students. It helps you make friends, learn new things, develop skills, reduce stress, and have fun. Plus, it teaches you about giving back to the community. So, it's a great way to make the most of your time in college.

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. What does the author compare joining a group to?

Q2. What are three events you can go to if you join a student group?

Q3. What is a university circle or club referred to in English-speaking countries?

 

Scroll down for answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers:

Q1. Joining a little family.

Q2. Parties, games or shows.

Q3. A student group.

Photo Credit: Elviss Railijs Bitāns@pexels.com

 

 

The term ‘audiophile’ refers to someone who is passionate (often obsessively so) about the high-fidelity reproduction of sound. Audiophiles will sometimes go to great lengths to find the best sounding albums from their favorite music artists. Whether you call them LPs, records or vinyl, many times the Japanese recordings of albums are considered the greatest and most sought after by many audiophiles. Let’s take a look at just some of the reasons why.

 

1. Quality Control: Especially during the 1960s to the 1980s, Japanese record pressing factories were regarded as having much better and stricter quality control than record pressing factories in the West. Japanese factories also tended to press records in much smaller quantities meaning that the overall quality was better.

 

2. Virgin Vinyl: While other factories around the world tended to use recycled vinyl, Japanese plants initially began using new vinyl for each press. This was called ‘pure virgin vinyl’ and resulted in records with less surface noise. In the 1960s and 70s, the electronics company, Toshiba, pioneered their ‘Everclean’ vinyl, which is easily distinguishable because of its shiny red color. These Toshiba red records are still highly sought after by collectors because of their rarity, but also because these records were made to reduce static electricity and dust buildup, producing a clearer sound.

 

3. The Obi: Japanese vintage records usually came with a small strip of paper wrapped around the outside of the album called the Obi, or ‘sash’ in English. Because album covers were usually all in English, the Obi was the perfect solution to present the Japanese consumer with information about the artist/album printed in Japanese on the Obi strip. Records with the Obi still intact are often highly sought after by collectors for their rarity and in some cases for their beauty.

 

4. Quality and Condition: In the case of Japanese records, not only is the vinyl of higher quality than most, but the jacket of the record was made of higher quality materials. Many Japanese records have a jacket made from thick, strong cardboard, rather than the thinner cardboard found on western releases. This means that Japanese records tend to be much heavier than their western counterparts, but also means that they are typically in better condition and last much longer.

 

It is also true that culturally Japanese people tend to value their possessions more, especially given that these records were quite expensive to buy at the time they were made. For example, a 2,000 yen record in 1960 is more than 10,000 yen in today’s money. This fact, combined with the higher quality of materials used, is the reason many Japanese records that are 50-60 years old now can still be found in superb, sometimes ‘as new’ condition.

 

 

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. What is an Obi called in English?

Q2. What type of vinyl did the electronics company, Toshiba pioneer?

Q3. A person who is passionate about high quality reproduction of sound is

 known as an:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

A1. A sash.

A2. Everclean vinyl.

A3. Audiophile.

Photo Credit: Liza Summer@pexels.com

 

 

Have you ever wanted to join a volunteer group or to help others? I often hear from students who have worked as volunteers helping others abroad. One of the benefits of doing this is to forge relationships with other students and with other volunteer workers. Often times, students can also use and develop their English language skills while volunteering. Volunteer experiences can help students to broaden their horizons, too! Of course and most importantly, others benefit from students’ help, and the students, themselves, acquire life skills, gain experience from traveling abroad, learn about the plight of others who are less fortunate than themselves, and they gain satisfaction from helping others, too.

 

While it is exciting to participate in experiences like this abroad, not everyone can afford to do so. Also, students might want to gain some volunteer experience on a local level before venturing off to participate in volunteer activities on a global level. Do you know that you can find and/or create such opportunities for yourself right here on campus?

 

In fact, years ago, I helped students do this on another campus. We went to the International Center on that campus, and students introduced themselves to some of the foreign students. Then they asked them what challenges they were dealing with while living abroad. Based on the answers they received, they offered to help the foreign students with various things. For example, two foreign students needed help with learning kanji, so my students helped them. Some needed help with language barriers that made shopping, using home appliances, etc. difficult for them. Still others didn’t need help, but they expressed an interest in learning more about Japanese culture.

 

As a result, some of my students offered to spend a day with some foreign students to introduce them to various shrines and/or temples. After learning about where they wanted to go, my students did research, learned about the place they decided to visit, checked their use of English with me, and practiced what they would say in English when they visited the place. They often made a day of it and went out to lunch or coffee, too. Sometimes the foreign students thanked my students by inviting them over for dinner. In fact, in two cases, the visiting students invited Japanese students to their homes in the United States! These volunteer students had a wonderful time visiting them abroad. As you can see, helping others can bring about positive experiences and long lasting friendships can be forged without being far from home. If this sounds like something you would like to do, why don’t you reach out to international students on campus to see if you can be of help to them? It seems to me that the Beyond Borders Plaza would be a great place to start!

 

You also might like to try volunteering for the Expo 2025 Osaka. Recruitment is currently taking place, and volunteers will be able to help Japanese and foreign visitors, too. You can learn more at about volunteering for Expo 2025 Osaka at the following website: Expo 2025 Osaka [https://www.expo2025-volunteer.com/pr/]

 

 

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1.List three ways students can benefit from doing volunteer work.

 

Q2.Where would be a great place for students to gain volunteer experience on Ritsumeikan campus?

 

Q3.What event is coming up where volunteers are currently being recruited?

 

 

Scroll down for the answers to the quiz…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

A1. Develop relationships with others, develop English language skills, and broaden their horizons.

 

A 2. Beyond Borders Plaza

 

A3. Expo 2025 Osaka

 

Photo Credit: Patrick Case @pexels.com

 

 

Have you noticed how well Japan has been performing at numerous international sports competitions in recent years? Japan has notable athletes and players in many of the world’s most popular sports. There has been medal winning efforts in the World Athletics Championships, title winning displays in top soccer leagues, and most recently, the ‘Brave Blossoms’ rugby team performing with great passion in the Rugby World Cup in France. If you want to improve your skills in a foreign language AND love following sports, there are many reasons you can benefit from these dual interests.

 

 

 

Firstly, sports is a community - local and global. If you follow a soccer team, for instance, you become a member of a community around that club. Maybe you are lucky enough to have ‘season tickets’ to go to the ground every match day and support the team vocally. Most fans, however, are armchair fans, which means they support the team online via social media instead of being present in the stadium. How about becoming an armchair fan of several sports teams and engaging with fellow fans on online forums and the club’s official SNS streams? You can comment and respond to fans in the language you are learning and benefit from the feeling of community it creates.

 

 

 

Furthermore, sports are regular calendar events, so you will be urged to interact in your target language on a weekly basis - or on a daily basis in a big tournament like the Rugby World Cup or the Olympics. Regularity of engagement with the target language is essential for language learners. If you feel compelled to engage with fans across the world on a regular Saturday match day for your favorite team, you are embedding valuable language learning opportunities in to your weekly routine, which is always a good thing.

 

 

 

Lastly, the kind of language you will encounter in fan chat zones and forums is likely to be colloquial, casual, and sometimes very passionate (!), so the range and variety of words and phrases you will learn is a bonus. This is particularly true if you are chatting in real-time during a live match. Try posting your opinions and reactions in real-time when your favorite team is playing a match. It makes you have to think quickly and write spontaneously, which is valuable practice for language output.

 

 

 

The community aspect of following a sports team encourages you to engage regularly with other fans, encounter real world slang expressions, and cultivate good language learning habits. If you love sports AND wish to improve your language ability, follow a favorite player or team today and immerse yourself in a fun and rewarding community.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. Armchair fans buy season tickets to watch their team play live. True or False?

Q2. Sports events are occurring all the time, every week, according to their team calendar. True or False?

Q3. Fans use formal language when discussing their teams online. True or False?

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. False

Q2. True

Q3. False

Photo Credit: Vera Bomstad @pexels.com

 

 

Amanohashidate is located in northern Kyoto, in Miyazu, on the Sea of Japan and is known as one of the Three Famous Views in Japan or Nihon Sankei. It is essentially a land bridge, a sandy strip of pine forest and beach which stretches for 3.5 km across Miyazu Bay, with the sea on either side. Approximately 8,000 pine trees line the white sand beach and there is a lovely walking/bicycle path leading from one end to the other. For those who do not wish to walk, a ferry crosses the bay every 15 minutes offering a view of the pine forest during the 12-minute ride.

 

 

At the top of the hills located on either side of the bay are observation decks (accessible on foot or by lifts) that allow one to look down on the entire stretch of the land bridge and the bay for a spectacular view from above. It is recommended to bend over and look at the view from between your legs (as many people do, so you won’t look strange to others around you). From this position, the sea and sky are reversed and the scene resembles a ‘bridge to heaven’, or Amanohashidate.

 

 

As well as the sea and beach, there are a number of famous shrines and temples in the area and the small town on the east side of the bay (where the train station is located) has a large number of small cafes and shops, and a natural onsen bathhouse. Most famous of the shrines are Amanohashidate Shrine, where one can pray for luck in romance, and Motoise Kono Shrine, which at one time enshrined the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu) now enshrined at Ise Shrine in Mie. Chionji Temple, located near the train station, has one of the oldest pagodas in Japan. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the small bridge crossing from the town to the beach, which sometimes rotates to allow boats to pass through, making for a great picture or video. Amanohashidate is accessible by train from Kyoto city and is a perfect day trip for those wishing to know more about the northern area of Kyoto prefecture while enjoying a day at the beach, or visiting shrines and temples, or eating some seafood dishes, and relaxing at some cafes.

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. Why is the land bridge called Amanohashidate?

A. Because it is a good place for a date.

B. Because when you bend over and look at the view from between your legs, the sea and sky are reversed and the scene resembles a ‘bridge to heaven’, or Amanohashidate.

C. Because it is where Amaterasu used to be enshrined.

 

 

Q2. From where is it best to see the entire land bridge of Amanohashidate?

A. At the top of the hills located on either side of the bay.

B. From the ferry that runs every 15 minutes.

C. From the small bridge that leads to town.

 

 

Q3. What is the relationship between Motoise Kono Shrine in Amanohashidate and Ise Shrine in Mie?

A. They are two of the top three shrines in Japan.

B. They are both accessible from Kyoto Station.

C. Motoise Kono Shrine in Amanohashidate at one time enshrined the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu) now enshrined at Ise Shrine in Mie.

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. B

Q2. A

Q3. C

Photo Credit: Karen Laark Boshoff @Pexels.com  

 

Have you ever enjoyed Aussie sweets? What comes to mind when you think of Aussie sweets? There are a lot of traditional and popular sweets in Australia. Let’s explore some of them! 

 

First of all, there are Lamingtons. A Lamington is a square-shaped sponge cake covered with chocolate and coconut sprinkles. There are various theories, but it is generally believed that Lamingtons are named after Lord Lamington, who was a governor of the Queensland colony between the end of 18th and the early 19th century (or his wife). Lamingtons are really popular in Australia. Australian people have enjoyed National Lamington Day on the 21st of July since 2006. 

 

Next, there is pavlova. This is a meringue-based dessert. Making pavlova is not that difficult. First, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Then, bake slowly in an oven on low-heat. After the meringue base is cooked, cover it with whipped cream and your favourite fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, mango, kiwi fruit, and passion fruit. A pavlova kit is available at a supermarket, and you can make one very easily with the kit. Pavlova is also quite popular in New Zealand, and the debate about whether pavlova was originally born in Australia or New Zealand is still ongoing. 

 

Another popular sweet is Anzac biscuits. The main ingredients are oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, and dried coconut (if you want). “Anzac” means the allied forces of Australia and New Zealand that were established during World War Ⅰ. Anzac biscuits were originally made for soldiers by their mothers or wives. That’s why the long-lasting and nutritious ingredients are used for the biscuits. They are sold at supermarkets all year round, but they are particularly popular on the 25th of April, which is the Anzac Day. 

 

These are three very popular Aussie sweets, but of course, there are other famous sweets such as Tim Tams, too. By the way, did you know that Australians consume the most ice cream per year all over the world, according to some surveys? New Zealand comes second. As it is said that these two countries have had a very close relationship historically and culturally, it seems to be natural for the countries to have similar taste in desserts. Regarding ice cream, you should try “Hokey Pokey” flavour when you have a chance of travelling in New Zealand or Australia. It was not originally born in Australia but in New Zealand. It is said that Hokey Pokey is a nationally popular flavour there. The flavour is quite similar to caramel, but it is actually made from golden syrup. Golden syrup is boiled down until it becomes crunchy, and it is mixed up with vanilla ice cream. Many people enjoy the rich flavour and crunchy texture. It is also popular in Australia. There are plenty of tasty sweets in Australia. It might be nice to enjoy their taste and also think about their historical and cultural background while you enjoy them. 

 

Questions: 

 

Q1. “Aussie” means _____

         a. Australian

         b. Austrian

         c. Summer

         d. Spring

 

Q2. Which of the following are not Australian sweets?

         a. Anzac biscuits

         b. Good-day cakes

         c. Lamingtons

         d. Tim Tams

 

Q3. Australians consume more ice cream per capita than Japanese. True or false?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

 

 

Answers

A1.  a

A2.  b

A3.  True

Photo Credit:  Yan Krukau @Pexels.com 

 

In this short blog post I’d like to give you a brief overview of a relatively new hobby of mine that developed into an obsession (and my wife would probably say addiction). That hobby is collecting autographs. 

 

What are autographs? Well, they are handwriting or signatures, usually of a famous celebrity or historical figure. Some people have no interest in autographs, but for others autographs are like a special ‘memory captured in time’, and a tangible way to feel connected to someone they admire or to physically preserve a small piece of history forever. 

 

There is, however, a dark side to autograph collecting. Autographs can fetch staggering prices at sales or auctions. For example, a full set of authentic Beatles autographs can fetch well over $30,000 USD. Because people are willing to pay exorbitant prices for autographs, fakes and forgeries are everywhere. 

 

Harassment of celebrities is also another ugly side of the autograph collecting ‘industry’. In America, especially, there are numerous, professional autograph collectors who refer to themselves as ‘graphers’. These graphers are not unlike paparazzi who stalk celebrities wherever they go, often putting themselves and the public at risk by relentlessly chasing celebrities with little regard for safety. Often these graphers have multiple items for the celebrity to sign when they are finally able to track one down. Graphers are not fans of the celebrity, but instead see their targets as money making opportunities. Recently many famous celebrities such as Billie Eilish, Ringo Starr and Steve Martin have stopped signing autographs altogether, due to the unruly behavior of professional graphers. 

 

Autograph collecting can be a fulfilling pastime and if you are willing to wait, also an investment opportunity. Autographs, by their nature, will only increase in rarity over time and subsequently, their value will also increase exponentially. Autographs also make for fantastic ready-made display pieces around the home! However, given the vast number of forgeries on the market, it really pays to do your research and only trust autographs that have been authenticated via reputable companies such as JSA, PSA and Beckett. 

 

Happy collecting! 

 

 

Questions

 

Q1. What can fetch over $30,000 USD?  

 

Q2. How do ‘graphers’ view the celebrities that they follow?  

 

Q3. Why does the value of autographs rise over time?  

 

Answers

A1. A full set of Beatles autographs.  

A2. As money making opportunities.  

A3. They become rarer.