Photo Credit: Pavel Danilyuk @pexels.com 

Popular entertainment figures can change the way people think and behave. I was sad to learn that in July 2024, the fitness instructor, entrepreneur, and television personality Richard Simmons had died at age 76. Richard Simmons was someone who started to become famous when I was in junior high. I first saw him on The Phil Donahue Show, a popular television talk show. Simmons’ energy, message, and theatrical style on the show demonstrated a great charisma that made him immediately popular. I bought his first exercise album, called “Reach,” when I was 15 years old. Years later, I still sometimes listen to recordings of it and do the exercises, along with his “Sweating to the Oldies” exercise videos. Richard Simmons was not a typical “hero” in the fitness industry: he was not particularly handsome, nor was he a super-athlete with a very muscular body. Nevertheless, there were several reasons why I really admired him:

1. Simmons himself had struggled to lose weight and become fit. While growing up he was picked on for being fat. When he was 15, he weighed about 83 kg (182 pounds) and eventually gained weight and hit 122 kg (268 pounds). However, his fitness programs and healthy eating helped him lose weight and stay at 56 kg (123 pounds) during most of his professional career.

2. He built a public stage persona that was super-energetic, outlandish, and silly, and made it a goal for people to have fun and enjoy themselves when they were working out. For example, his “Sweating to the Oldies” exercise videos had themes such as being in an old-fashioned diner, or at an amusement park, and had exercises designed for fun and laughing while moving. He would wear very bright, sparkly costumes or exercise wear with colorful stripes, and make amusing jokes.

3. His workout videos featured real people of different ages who were average looking, and many of whom were (or had been) quite overweight. They were not all beautiful young models or athletes. At the end of many of his videos, he would highlight each of the people in his video, commending how much weight they had lost.

4. He was a successful entrepreneur. He knew how to market himself and become a very well-known television personality, while producing dozens of videos and books. In addition to his successful workout studio and myriad exercise videos, he also had his own television show for four years. Later he had a popular membership-based website and maintained a strong social media presence through 2014.

5. He deeply cared about people who struggled with eating addiction and obesity, and his messages were motivational and inspiring. His books and videos motivated people to take better care of their eating and exercise habits. Although some people discounted Richard Simmons as being too silly, I will always admire him for his energy, his sense of fun, and his sincere caring for other people. Our heroes shape our lives.

Questions

Q1. Which of the following is true about Richard Simmons?

a. He was a former Olympic athlete.

b. He became popular and famous at age 15 as a child actor.

c. His popularity as a fitness trainer and personality was based on his flamboyant and fun style, as he tried to help average people get healthier.

d. He focused on helping wealthy Hollywood celebrities get fit.

Q2. What is NOT one of the reasons that the blog writer admired Richard Simmons?

a. Because he was a successful entrepreneur.

b. Because his sense of caring for his audience who were struggling with weight and fitness issues seemed very genuine and inspiring.

c. Because it was easy to relate to him as a real person who also had experienced trouble with being overweight and unfit in the past.

d. Because he had a very strict, serious, and commanding style of leading his exercise videos, and his workouts were extremely hard, even for very fit people.

Q3. According to this blog’s writer, why is considering our heroes and why we admire them valuable to do?

a. Because the heroes we choose look beautiful and strong so we want to try to look like them.

b. Because the positive characteristics they show can motivate us to change the way we think and behave.

c. Because our heroes inspire our sense of fashion.

d. Because our heroes are better than we can ever aspire to be ourselves.

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

A1. c

A2. d

A3. b

Photo Credit: Styves Exantus@pexels.com

Lacrosse, often hailed as Canada's national summer sport, has a rich history and has seen significant development over the years. Originating as a game played by Indigenous peoples, lacrosse has grown into a beloved sport across Canada and is now gaining popularity in countries like Japan.

Historical Roots and Evolution in Canada

Lacrosse has deep roots in Canadian history, tracing back to Indigenous tribes who played early versions of the game. These tribes, including the Iroquois and Algonquin, used lacrosse for more than just recreation; it was a spiritual and community activity, often referred to as "the Creator's Game." The game played an essential role in their culture, serving purposes from training warriors to settling disputes. European settlers in the 17th century observed these games and started to play lacrosse themselves. By the mid-19th century, lacrosse had evolved significantly, and in 1856, William George Beers, a Canadian dentist, founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club. Beers is often credited with modernizing the game by setting standard rules and equipment, which transformed lacrosse into an organized sport. Lacrosse gained immense popularity, becoming Canada's national game in 1867. The first national governing body, the National Lacrosse Association (now the Canadian Lacrosse Association), was established in 1867. Since then, the sport has continued to thrive, with various leagues and teams forming across the country. Canadian lacrosse now includes multiple forms, such as box lacrosse, field lacrosse, and women's lacrosse, each with its own unique rules and playing styles.

Lacrosse Today - A Global Perspective

While lacrosse remains a significant part of Canadian sports culture, it has also started to spread internationally. One of the surprising new hotbeds for lacrosse is Japan. Over the past few decades, the sport has seen a remarkable rise in popularity. Lacrosse was introduced to Japan in the 1980s by exchange students returning from North America. The first official lacrosse team was established at Keio University in 1986. Since then, the sport has grown rapidly, especially at the collegiate level. Today, Japan has a robust lacrosse community with numerous teams and leagues for both men and women. Japan’s national teams have also made impressive strides on the international stage. The men's team first competed in the World Lacrosse Championship in 1994, and since then, Japan has consistently been a strong competitor. The women's national team is also competitive, often ranking well in international tournaments.

The Future of Lacrosse

Lacrosse's development in Canada and its spread to countries like Japan highlight the sport's global appeal. With ongoing support and promotion, lacrosse continues to grow, fostering international camaraderie and competition. As the sport evolves, it remains a testament to its roots, celebrating both its Indigenous heritage and its modern incarnations around the world.

Blog Quiz

Q1. Who is credited with modernizing lacrosse in Canada?

 a) John A. Macdonald

 b) William George Beers

 c) James Naismith

Q2. When did lacrosse become Canada's national game?

a) 1867 

b) 1900

c) 1980

Q3. When was the first official lacrosse team established in Japan?

a) 1976

b) 1986

c) 1996

Scroll down to see the answers below.

Answers:

1.         b

2.         a

3.         b

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: Pixabay @Pexels.com

I have been going jogging regularly with two of my friends for the past twelve years. These friends of mine are often referred to as 'mom-friends.' We met when our children attended the same nursery school in Kyoto, and that is where we got to know each other. I became friends with several mothers there, and we formed a group of five friends. Despite our busy schedules with young toddlers, we managed to spend time together. It was a pleasure for me because we shared similar concerns, such as taking care of our children, managing household chores, and balancing work responsibilities.

I still remember how it all started. The five of us gathered at my place, sipping on glasses of wine and venting out our stress. Out of the blue, one of them began talking about her newfound habit of early morning jogging, as early as six o'clock. She explained how invigorating it felt to exercise when the day was just beginning. Curiously, she invited us to join her. Initially, I declined the offer, as it seemed impossible for me. I struggled with managing everyday life and was constantly fatigued. However, another friend in our group expressed interest in joining her. As they started discussing potential dates, the other two friends and I thought it sounded insane. But suddenly, it appeared to be a wonderful idea, and I felt a surge of motivation to make a change. Consequently, I ended up joining them.   

That was 12 years ago, and to this day, three of us still regularly gather for morning jogs on weekends. Over time, our circumstances shifted. One of my friends relocated to Osaka, while I moved to a different area of Kyoto. Throughout the years, we experienced some interruptions. One friend sustained a shoulder injury, while the other friend and I both tragically lost our respective parents, temporarily preventing us from having our morning runs. However, we made a point of maintaining our commitment to meet for our jogging sessions along the Kamo River in Kyoto, which serves as the most accessible meeting point for the three of us. Despite losing contact with our other mom-friends, the three of us have managed to maintain a strong connection. We not only meet for our exercise sessions but also gather for lunches and dinners, providing us with additional opportunities to spend time together.

Through this experience, I have learned that maintaining positive habits becomes easier when we feel connected to the people around us. Friendships endure when we engage in meaningful activities together, such as our morning jogs. Making friends as an adult can be challenging, but the bond I share with my jogging companions extends far beyond exercise. We actively create cherished moments during these shared experiences. Moreover, the consistent practice of jogging has not only contributed to my physical health but has also played a vital role in sustaining my mental well-being. Together with my friends, I have found a source of strength and support that positively impacts my overall wellness.

Q1. With how many friends have I regularly jogged? 

Q2. Where do I jog on weekends? 

Q3. How many years have we managed to get together for jogs?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

A1. two

A2. Along the Kamo River in Kyoto

A3. 12 years

Photo Credit: Olia Danilevich @Pexels.com

In general, I like playing and/or watching sports such as tennis, volleyball, basketball, baseball, football, and so on. I enjoy playing with teams and it is a lot of fun to communicate with people while playing sports. When playing such sports, I need quick responses and instinctive reactions and I get really excited when I play.

When it comes to sports like Japanese martial arts, they are too sophisticated for me to enjoy. They seem to require the student to follow a detailed process as well as practice and effort to even understand the logic of what you are doing. They also include a lot of mental preparation that occurs through the movement and process. Therefore, I did not practice arts like kendo or kyudo while in Japan. Despite that, I was interested in the deeper meaning of such activities.

I wrote in a previous blog that I lived in Belgium for nearly 12 years. During that period, I tried kyudo for some time. My sensei and almost all the students at the dojo were Belgian. I had a chance to learn and practice all the procedures, movements and techniques in French. It was a very good experience as I needed to understand not only the process of kyudo but also some of the philosophy of Kyudo using a language other than Japanese in a different cultural situation. I remember I was often told by the senior students at the dojo that “Mato (的) is not the target/goal but the result of all the process of our movement”. This kind of idea is different from other sports that require competition with others as I mentioned at the beginning of this essay. Since I was curious how people in Europe perceive martial arts from Japan, I asked one of my friends who was from France and had practiced Aikido and Karate. It seems that at the beginning, it was the esthetic interest in things such as costumes and kata that attracted him. However, later he started to understand and focus on mastering himself in terms of training his own mental and physical balance through the martial arts.

Through these experiences across sports, culture and language, I could understand some of the deeper meaning of Japanese culture and sports. I really appreciate these experiences. I stopped doing kyudo for many years after I returned to Japan. However, I am thinking to restart by trying to remember the instructions I received in French in Belgium.

Questions:

Q1. According to the author, what did she feel about Japanese martial arts before starting?

Q2. Where did the author learn and practice kyudo?

.

Q3. What did she find good about the experience doing Japanese martial arts abroad?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

A1. She thought that they were difficult to understand (they require following a detailed process as well as practice and effort to even understand the logic of what you are doing) and needed mental preparation through the movement and process.

A2. She learned in Belgium

A3. It was a very positive experience as she needed to understand not only the process of kyudo but also some of its philosophy using a language other than Japanese in a different cultural situation.

Photo Credit: Artem Podrez @pexels.com

Did you know that Shiga Prefecture gets a lot of snow? This stunning region in Japan receives abundant snowfall in the winter due to its unique climate and geographical location. Nestled in the central part of Honshu, Japan's main island, Shiga offers a mix of both coastal and inland areas, making it a true winter wonderland.

During the winter season, Shiga is characterized by cold temperatures and frequent precipitation, often falling as snow due to its location in a mountainous region. Cold air from the continent flows over the Sea of Japan and picks up moisture, resulting in a snowfall paradise. Additionally, Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, is located in Shiga Prefecture and contributes to the prefecture's climate. During the winter, the lake's temperature is warmer than the surrounding air, leading to the formation of lake-effect snow when cold air passes over the warmer water. This can result in heavier snowfall in the areas around the lake, creating a breathtaking winter wonderland.

If you're looking for a place to embrace the snow, Gran Snow Okuibuki is a must-visit ski resort in Shiga. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Ibuki and offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding terrain for all levels of experience. With 18 runs ranging from beginner to advanced level, you'll find the perfect slope for your skill level. The resort also features a wide range of facilities, including ski and snowboard rentals, ski schools, and several restaurants and cafes.

One of the unique features of Gran Snow Okuibuki is its powder snow, which is highly sought after by skiers and snowboarders. The region receives abundant snowfall and is known for its light, dry powder snow that makes for excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions. Besides skiing and snowboarding, Gran Snow Okuibuki also offers a stunning view of Mount Ibuki and the surrounding natural scenery, making it a popular destination for sightseeing as well as winter sports.

If you're planning a trip to Gran Snow Okuibuki, there are several ways to get there from Kyoto. You can rent a car and drive to the resort, take a direct bus from Kyoto Station, or take the train to Maibara Station and then a bus or taxi to the resort. The journey is approximately two hours and will take you through some of the most breathtaking winter scenery you've ever seen.

Overall, Gran Snow Okuibuki is a highly regarded ski resort in Shiga Prefecture that offers a wide range of winter activities, excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions, and stunning natural scenery. We can't wait to see you there next winter!

Questions:

Q1. What makes Shiga Prefecture in Japan unique when it comes to snowfall?

Q2. What are some of the winter activities available at Gran Snow Okuibuki?

Q3. What are the different ways to get to Gran Snow Okuibuki from Kyoto?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

A1. Its climate and geographical location.

A2. They are skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sledding.

A3. One option is to rent a car and drive to the resort. Another option is to take a direct bus from Kyoto Station. Also, you can take the train from Kyoto Station to Maibara Station and take a bus or taxi to Gran Snow Okuibuki. i.e., by car, bus, train, train and bus, or train and taxi.

When people abroad think of popular sports from the United States, they usually think of sports that are played in their own countries, such as basketball or baseball. Though these two sports have grown worldwide, neither is the most popular sport in America. People often think baseball is the #1 sport in the U.S. due to it being nicknamed “America’s Pastime”. However, the real king of sports in the U.S. is football.

Usually played in fall and early winter, football is the most-watched sport on TV in America. Every year more than 100 million people tune in to watch the Super Bowl, the National Football League’s (NFL’s) championship game. Not only that, most stadiums that can hold over 90,000 people in the world are football stadiums.

What is football? Football is played on a field that is 120 yards long (around 110 meters). The playing field is 100 yards long with a 10-yard "endzone" (scoring zone) on both sides of the field. The game is played in 4 quarters of 15 minutes. Each team is allowed only 11 players on the field at one time. One team is the offense and one team is the defense. The offense has to get to the opposing team’s endzone and the defense must stop them. The game consists of plays that only last a few seconds. Teams can pass the ball or run the ball down the field during these plays. However, if a pass is dropped or the player with the ball is tackled to the ground, they must pause and restart a new play. Not only is the game about athletic ability, but it is also a strategy game, like chess.

At the start of the offense’s turn, they have four plays (“downs”) to make it 10 yards. If they can make it to the 10-yard mark, they receive a new turn, “set of downs” and can continue. However, if they can not make it to the 10-yard mark, they must give the ball to the other team. Usually, the offence kicks the ball to the other team if it is the 4th play (4th down). This kick is called a punt. After the other team catches the ball, they become the offense.

If the offense team makes it to the endzone, they are awarded 6 points with a chance to run a new play for 2 more points or kick the ball through the “goalposts” for 1 point. Usually, teams kick the “extra point” for +1 points. If the team can not make it down the field but are close, they can kick a “field goal” for 3 points. If the offense gets tackled in their own endzone, the defense is awarded 2 points called a “safety”

Like any sport, the best way to learn is to watch. Luckily, you don’t have to go to America to watch a football game. Ritsumeikan University has its own football team, The Ritsumeikan Panthers! You can check their website to learn more about the team and their schedule. [http://www.ritsumeikanpanthers.com/]

Photo credit David Morris @Pexels.com

Q1. What sport is called "America's Pastime"?

a. Baseball

b. Basketball

c. Football

Q2. How many people watch the Super Bowl every year?

a. 50- 80 million

b. 80 - 100 million

c. 100+ million

Q3. How many points is a "touchdown"?

a. 1

b. 3

c. 6

Scroll down for answers

A1 a

A2 c

A3 c

In modern society, people can go on a trip even when they are busy. By means of transportation such as cars, trains, or planes, they can easily reach their destinations in a short time. While most tourists today choose these means of modern transportation, some enjoy bicycling to their destinations. In this blog post, I would like to share with you some advantages of going on a bicycle trip that I realised as a member of the cycling club at my university.

A trip is not just about visiting famous sightseeing spots, but it also consists of the moments on the way. On a bicycle trip, the scenes that you see will pass by slower and thus will be more memorable compared to those in a car or on a train. If you are the type of traveller who finds it fun to take pictures, you can stop at any good photo places on a bicycle trip. (Of course, you cannot take pictures on the ride. It’s too dangerous!) There are many other things on the way that may become memorable during your trip. Stopping by less-known spots that are not in travel guidebooks, you may be able to have special experiences such as meeting local people.

Eating special food on an empty stomach is another big advantage of a bicycle trip. Have you ever felt that something tasted better because you were starving? The hunger you feel after a long ride can be the best sauce for what you eat during the trip. Speaking of my experience, I still clearly remember the taste of the ice cream cone I ate at an ice cream shop on the top of a mountain in Tohoku.

By the way, do you know cycling is one of the most effective workouts? According to 改訂版「身体活動のメッツ(METs)表」the National Institute of Health and Nutrition, biking at a speed of 16.1-19.2 kph comes in at 6.8 METs, which means a 65kg person can burn as many as 464 kilocalories per hour. Even if you enjoy local cuisines to the fullest, you may no longer have to worry about standing on a bath scale when you return from the bicycle trip.

If you can’t afford to take a long bicycle trip, I recommend one day “puttering.” It is Japanese-English derived from the English word “putter” to mean going out on a bicycle without any specific destination. There are many spots around the three campuses of our university that you can visit on your mama-chari. Why don’t you go “puttering” and find new places this weekend?

Last, remember that bicycle insurance is compulsory for cyclers in Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga. Be safe and have fun riding!

Photo credit Mabel Amber@Pexels.com

Questions

Scroll down for answers

Q1. The author states that visiting famous tourist areas is the most important part of a bicycle trip. True or False?

Q2. What did the author eat on the top of a mountain when travelling in Tohoku.

a) a cookie

b) a rice ball

c) an ice cream cone

d) a sandwich

Q3. The author suggests that people may not have to care about their weight when they return from a bicycle trip. True or False?

A1. False

A2. C

A3. True