# Japanese Basic Course, Lesson 147

Narration and the written language

Source: https://1732studios.com/courses/ja/145. Data: https://1732studios.com/courses/ja/145.json.

## National holidays and New Year · Narration 1 of 3

### Eleven national holidays

*次の 十一は 全国的の 祭日として 執行されている* means "The following eleven are observed as national holidays."

These include *元日*, "New Year's Day", *春分の日*, "Vernal Equinox Day", and *勤労感謝の日*, "Labor Thanksgiving Day".

### Food for New Year's Day

*元日は お正月とも言い、日本人にとっては 最も大切な日で、朝飯に おとそを飲み、ぞうにを食べる* says New Year's Day is also called New Year's. It is the most important day for Japanese people.

At breakfast, people drink *おとそ*, "spiced sake", and eat *ぞうに*, "rice cakes boiled with vegetables".

The special dish *ZOONI* contains broth, vegetables and *MOCHI* rice cakes. The ceremonial drink *TOSO* is sweet sake flavored with cassia bark and other spices.

### Kanji: 念, 勤, 謝, 祭

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

### Kanji: 元, 春, 秋

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

**1** 日本ほど 祭日の 多い国は 世界でも あまりないだろう、お祭の 一つや二つない月は ほとんどない。  
にほんほどさいじつのおおいくにはせかいでもあまりないだろう、おまつりのひとつやふたつないつきはほとんどない。  
There are probably few countries in the world with as many holidays as Japan; there is hardly a month without one or two festivals.

**2** 今その おもなものを あげて見よう。  
いまそのおもなものをあげてみよう。  
Now let us list the main ones.

**3** 次の 十一は 全国的の 祭日として 執行されている。  
つぎのじゅういちはぜんこくてきのさいじつとしてしっこうされている。  
The following eleven are observed as national holidays.

**4** それは 一月一日の 元日、一月十五日の 成人の日、三月二十一日の 春分の日、四月二十九日の 天皇誕生日、五月三日の 憲法記念日、五月五日の 子供の日、九月十五日の 老人の日、九月二十三日の 秋分の日、十月十日の 体育日、十一月三日の 文化の日、十一月二十三日の  
それはいちがつついたちのがんじつ、いちがつじゅうごにちのせいじんのひ、さんがつにじゅういちにちのしゅんぶんのひ、しがつにじゅうくにちのてんのうたんじょうび、ごがつみっかのけんぽうきねんび、ごがついつかのこどものひ、くがつじゅうごにちのろうじんのひ、くがつにじゅうさんにちのしゅうぶんのひ、じゅうがつとおかのたいいくび、じゅういちがつみっかのぶんかのひ、じゅういちがつにじゅうさんにちの  
They are New Year's Day on January 1, Coming-of-Age Day on January 15, the Vernal Equinox on March 21, the Emperor's Birthday on April 29, Constitution Memorial Day on May 3, Children's Day on May 5, Respect for the Aged Day on September 15, the Autumnal Equinox on September 23, Health and Sports Day on October 10, Culture Day on November 3, and November 23

**5** 勤労感謝の日である。  
きんろうかんしゃのひである。  
is Labor Thanksgiving Day.

**6** 元日は お正月とも言い、日本人にとっては 最も大切な日で、朝飯に おとそを飲み、ぞうにを食べる。  
がんじつはおしょうがつともいい、にほんじんにとってはもっともたいせつなひで、あさめしにおとそをのみ、ぞうにをたべる。  
New Year's Day is also called New Year's, and for Japanese people it is the most important day; at breakfast they drink spiced sake and eat rice cakes in soup.

```
1 Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival)

This festival, perhaps the most romantic of all annual functions, owes its inception to a popular belief that two lovely stars Kengyuu (Altair) and Shokujo (Vega or Weaver Star), which are set apart on either side of the Milky Way, are said to have their joyous union on that single night of each year. The most usual way of celebrating this festival, particularly by young people, is by making offerings of melons, peaches, pears, and cakes to the stars in honor of their happy union. These offerings (usually made of paper) are hung on the innumerable branches of a bamboo which is set up in the garden. The bamboo is also adorned with long narrow strips of paper of various colors, on which are written poems associated with the romantic legend.
```

```
Bon Festival

It has been observed yearly in Japan on July 13, 14, and 15 by Buddhist families ever since the introduction of that faith from China. It is a reunion of the living with the spirits of the dead, a season of kindliness and

regard for the dead and of spiritual meditation. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of ancestors, to stimulate ancestor-worship and filial piety, and to serve as a reminder to those who observe the festival of what their forefathers have done for them.

At the graveyards, the 13th is a day of pious devotion to family ancestors and much incense is burned. As darkness sets in, more and more families arrive at the gravesides to invite the spirits to visit their old homes and to escort them thither. White lanterns are lighted throughout the cemeteries.

The Bon Odori (Bon Dance) is another feature of Obon. It is the community dance usually held on the last night of Obon to celebrate the return of the spirits of the dead. It is best seen in the country districts, where it is the most delightful event of the year for the young folks who gather at the grounds of the local shrine or temple and dance until late in the night. Dances and songs differ according to districts and symbolize their respective local traditions. Tooro-nagashi or lantern

floating is the picturesque ending to the Obon service. To guide the ancestral spirits back to the other world, little floats are lighted with candles and floated down rivers or on the sea. Hundreds and thousands of such lighted floats are set off at one place and the people eagerly watch them float down the river or carried by the wind far away from the shore.
```

```
Shichi-go-san

A beautiful festival held on November 15 is the ”Shichi-go-san,” literally ”Seven-five-three.” On that day, parents with boys or girls of three years of age, boys of five, and girls of seven take them to visit the local shrine to express their thanks and gratitude to the tutelary deity that their children have reached these ages safely and to invoke future blessings.
```

```
Hana Matsuri (Buddha’s Birthday)

The birthday of Shaka-muni, the founder of Buddhism, is celebrated throughout Japan on April 8. Every temple of note observes the ceremony of Kambutsu-e, or

”Baptizing Ceremony of Buddha,” which consists mainly in pouring ”sweet tea” from tiny ladles over a small statue of the infant Buddha as an expression of devotion, and then drinking the tea.
```

```
Kawa-biraki

This is an ancient festival more in the nature of a carnival and it is held on the water usually on the third Saturday of July. In Tokyo it takes place on the Sumida River and is known as the ”function for opening the Sumida River.”

This festival has no religious significance, being merely designed to attract people to the river to enjoy the cool evening breezes and to stimulate the business of the restaurants, tea houses, etc., located there, under whose auspices it is held. One feature of the attraction is a display of fireworks. Boats lighted with scores of lanterns, some of them carrying geisha, singing and playing samisen, float idly on the river, presenting a picturesque scene. Thousands of people line the banks of the river and for miles around, the roofs of the houses and other places from

which the scene can be viewed are crowded with spectators.
```

```
WAKANA or NANAKUSA NO SEKKU

The seventh day of January is known as Nanakusa (seven herbs) because of the special dish served on that day, a rice-gruel seasoned with Nanakusa, or seven kinds of early herbs.
```

```
Special New Year’s Food

Special food is eaten during the New Year holidays, the first meal on New Year’s Day being a great event. The special dish is ZOONI, a sort of broth containing MOCHI (rice-cakes) and vegetables. ZOONI is as imperative during the New Year holidays as is rice on any other day of the year. Many other delicacies are served, including KAZUNOKO (herring roe), which literally means ”numerous children”; black beans, because the Japanese name for them (MAME) is pronounced in the same way, though written differently, as another Japanese word meaning ”robust”; hulled dried chestnuts (KACHIGURI), to denote success, inasmuch as the word KACHI means ”victory or triumph”; dried seaweed (KOMBU)

for happiness; the lotus root, the lotus being a sacred plant which, though growing in muddy water, has its stems going straight upwards and bearing a pure white flower.

Besides the food mentioned, a ceremonial drink, TOSO, is served at this time in the belief that it possesses a preventive power against sickness in general. TOSO is a sweet SAKE(MIRIN) flavored with cassia bark and other spicy ingredients. MOCHI, a kind of rice-paste, made into flat, round or square cakes of many sizes, is eaten throughout the holidays.
```

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| ほど | to the extent (See Grammar Notes) |
| 祭日 | national holiday; festival |
| の | See Grammar Notes |
| 国 | country, nation |
| は | leaves |
| で | --is and -- (See Grammar Notes) |
| も | as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes |
| 一 | one |
| や | and---among others (See Gram. Notes) |
| 二 | two |
| 月 | moon, month (See Grammar Notes) |
| ほとんど | almost (See Gram. Notes) |
| もの | things (tangible) |
| を | particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill) |
| 十 | ten |
| 全国 | entire country |
| と | and (See Gram. Notes) |
| し | city |
| いる。 | to need (See Gram. Notes) |
| 一日 | first day of the month (See Grammar Notes) |
| 元日、 | New Year's Day |
| 五 | five |
| 成人 | adult |
| 三 | three |
| 二十 | 20 |
| 四 | four |
| 九 | nine |
| 天皇 | emperor |
| 憲法 | constitution |
| 文化 | culture |
| 勤労 | labor; personal service |
| 感謝 | thanks; gratitude |
| ある。 | certain, some |
| 人 | people |
| に | on (See Gram. Notes) |
| な | I wish, I hope, huh |
| ぞうに | rice cakes boiled with vegetables |

## New Year and seasonal festivals · Narration 2 of 3

### The festival of seven herbs

*この 十一祭日の外に 五節句（一月七日の 若菜の節句、三月三日の 桃の節句、五月五日の しょうぶの節句、七月七日の 七夕祭、九月九日の 菊の節句）がある* lists five seasonal festivals. *若菜の節句* falls on January 7.

The day also has the name *Nanakusa*, "seven herbs". People serve rice gruel seasoned with seven kinds of early herbs.

### The Star Festival

*七月七日の 七夕祭* names the Star Festival on July 7. It concerns *Kengyuu* and *Shokujo*, two stars separated by the Milky Way.

Young people offer paper melons, peaches, pears and cakes to the stars. They hang them from bamboo with colored paper strips bearing poems.

### Kanji: 形

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

**7** お正月のお祝いは 大抵 三日続き、「明けまして お目でとう御ざいます。  
おしょうがつのおいわいはたいていみっかつづき、「あけましておめでとうございます。  
New Year's celebrations usually last three days, and people say, “Happy New Year.

**8** 昨年中は 色々と ありがとう御ざいました。  
さくねんちゅうはいろいろとありがとうございました。  
Thank you very much for everything you did for me last year.

**9** 今年も 相変らず どうぞよろしく」と言って 年始にまわる。  
ことしもあいかわらずどうぞよろしく」といってねんしにまわる。  
I hope I can count on your continued kindness this year,” as they make their New Year’s calls.

**10** この 十一祭日の外に 五節句（一月七日の 若菜の節句、三月三日の 桃の節句、五月五日の しょうぶの節句、七月七日の 七夕祭、九月九日の 菊の節句）がある。  
このじゅういちさいじつのほかにごせっく（いちがつなのかのわかなのせっく、さんがつみっかのもものせっく、ごがついつかのしょうぶのせっく、しちがつなのかのたなばたまつり、くがつここのかのきくのせっく）がある。  
In addition to these eleven holidays, there are five seasonal festivals: the Festival of Young Greens on January 7, the Peach Festival on March 3, the Iris Festival on May 5, the Star Festival on July 7, and the Chrysanthemum Festival on September 9.

**11** 三月三日の 桃の  
さんがつみっかのももの  
The Peach Festival on March 3

**12** 節句は 普通 ひな祭と呼ばれ、女の子は 美しい ひな人形を かざって、その前で 面白く遊ぶ。  
せっくはふつうひなまつりとよばれ、おんなのこはうつくしいひなにんぎょうをかざって、そのまえでおもしろくあそぶ。  
is usually called the Doll Festival; girls display beautiful dolls and have fun playing in front of them.

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| 祝い | celebration, congratulation |
| とう | tower |
| い | stomach |
| ます。 | trout |
| 今年 | this year |
| 年始 | New Year's call |
| 節句 | annual festival; fete |
| 七 | seven |
| しょうぶ | Iris |
| 菊 | chrysanthemum |
| が | but (See Gram. Notes) |
| 女の子 | girl |
| 前 | before, front |

## Boys’ Day, Obon and fireworks · Narration 3 of 3

### Grave visits and Bon dancing

*おぼんは 陰暦七月十三、十四、十五日の 三日間に かけて 行なわれる 仏事* describes three days of Buddhist observance. People visit graves by day and hold the Bon Dance at night.

Families honor their ancestors and invite their spirits home. At the end, candlelit floats guide the spirits back on rivers or the sea.

### Fireworks on the Sumida River

*これは 七月の 月の 三番目の 土曜日に 行なわれ、花火の 打ち上げが 呼物の 一つに なっている* places the river festival on the third Saturday of July. A fireworks display is one main attraction.

In Tokyo, *川開き* takes place on the Sumida River. Lantern-lit boats float on the water while spectators gather along the banks.

### Kanji: 墓

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

**13** 五月五日の しょうぶの節句は「たんごの節句」とも言われ、男の子の節句で、家の外に こいのぼりを立てる。  
ごがついつかのしょうぶのせっくは「たんごのせっく」ともいわれ、おとこのこのせっくで、いえのそとにこいのぼりをたてる。  
The Iris Festival on May 5 is also called the Boys' Festival; it is a festival for boys, and carp streamers are raised outside the house.

**14** おぼんは 陰暦七月十三、十四、十五日の 三日間に かけて 行なわれる 仏事で、昼は 墓参りを し、夜には「ぼんおどり」を やって 大変 にぎわう。  
おぼんはいんれきしちがつじゅうさん、じゅうよっか、じゅうごにちのみっかかんにかけておこなわれるぶつじで、ひるははかまいりをし、よるには「ぼんおどり」をやってたいへんにぎわう。  
Obon is a Buddhist observance held over the three days of July 13, 14, and 15 by the lunar calendar; people visit graves during the day, and at night the Bon dancing makes it very lively.

**15** この 外 地方の 祭が 数知れぬほど ある。  
このほかちほうのまつりがかずしれぬほどある。  
Besides these, there are countless local festivals.

**16** 隅田川の 川開きも 年中行事の 一つである。  
すみだがわのかわびらきもねんじゅうぎょうじのひとつである。  
The opening of the Sumida River is also one of the annual events.

**17** これは 七月の 月の 三番目の 土曜日に 行なわれ、花火の 打ち上げが 呼物の 一つに なっている。  
これはしちがつのつきのさんばんめのどようびにおこなわれ、はなびのうちあげがよびもののひとつになっている。  
It is held on the third Saturday in July, and a fireworks display is one of its main attractions.

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| 男の子 | boy |
| で、 | --is and -- (See Grammar Notes) |
| 家 | house, home |
| こいのぼり | paper carp |
| おぼん | Bon Festival; Feast of Lanterns |
| 陰暦 | lunar calendar |
| 三、 | three |
| 四、 | four |
| れる | to be able to --
(See Grammar Notes) |
| 仏事 | Buddhist mass; Buddhist service |
| 墓参り | visit to a grave |
| し、 | city |
| 夜 | night, evening |
| 「ぼんおどり」 | Bon Dance |
| にぎわう。 | flourish; be crowded; be bustling |
| 地方 | country, region |
| 数 | number |
| 川 | river |
| 川開き | river fete |
| 年中 | all year around |
| 花火 | fireworks |
| 打ち上げ | display; send up; shooting up |

## Holiday and festival traditions · Questions 1 of 2

### Holidays and children's festivals

The questions ask for holiday names, dates and customs. *桃の 節句は 普通 何と 呼ばれていますか* means "What is the Peach Festival usually called?" An answer names the Doll Festival.

*Shichi-go-san* means "Seven-five-three". On November 15, parents take children aged three, boys aged five and girls aged seven to a local shrine.

The parents give thanks that the children reached these ages safely. They also ask the local deity for future blessings.

**18** 日本には 祭日が 多いですか。  
にほんにはさいじつがおおいですか。  
Are there many holidays in Japan?

**19** 全国的の 祭日として 執行されているものを 十一言ってください（十一祭日）。  
ぜんこくてきのさいじつとしてしっこうされているものをじゅういちいってください（じゅういちさいじつ）。  
Please name the eleven holidays observed as national holidays.

**20** 元日には 朝飯に 何を 食べて、何を 飲みますか。  
がんじつにはあさめしになにをたべて、なにをのみますか。  
What do people eat and drink for breakfast on New Year's Day?

**21** お正月の お祝いは 大抵 何日 続きますか。  
おしょうがつのおいわいはたいていなんにちつづきますか。  
How many days do New Year's celebrations usually last?

**22** 年始に まわる時には 何と 言いますか。  
ねんしにまわるときにはなんといいますか。  
What do people say when they make their New Year's calls?

**23** 五節句というのは 何ですか、言ってください。  
ごせっくというのはなんですか、いってください。  
What are the five seasonal festivals? Please name them.

**24** 桃の 節句は 普通 何と 呼ばれていますか。  
もものせっくはふつうなんとよばれていますか。  
What is the Peach Festival usually called?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| です | to be (See Gram. Notes) |
| か。 | either--or-- (See Gram. Notes) |
| いる | to need (See Gram. Notes) |
| ください | please give me (See Gram. Notes) |
| 元日 | New Year's Day |
| ます | trout |
| 時 | time |

## Seasonal festivals and river fireworks · Questions 2 of 2

### Dates and festival customs

The questions ask when a festival occurs and what people do during it. *おぼんは いつですか* means "When is Obon?" An answer gives its three July dates.

*Hana Matsuri* celebrates the birthday of Shaka-muni, the founder of Buddhism, on April 8. Temples hold the *Kambutsu-e* ceremony.

People pour sweet tea from small ladles over a statue of the infant Buddha. They then drink the tea.

**25** その日には どんな事を しますか。  
そのひにはどんなことをしますか。  
What do people do on that day?

**26** しょうぶの 節句は 普通 何と 呼ばれていますか。  
しょうぶのせっくはふつうなんとよばれていますか。  
What is the Iris Festival usually called?

**27** その日には どんな事を しますか。  
そのひにはどんなことをしますか。  
What do people do on that day?

**28** おぼんは いつですか。  
おぼんはいつですか。  
When is Obon?

**29** その日には どんな事を しますか。  
そのひにはどんなことをしますか。  
What do people do on those days?

**30** 隅田川の 川開きは いつですか。  
すみだがわのかわびらきはいつですか。  
When is the opening of the Sumida River?

**31** その日には どんな事を しますか。  
そのひにはどんなことをしますか。  
What do people do on that day?

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| どんな | what kind of; what sort of |
| いつ | when? |

## National holiday words · Word list 1 of 4

### Holidays and New Year foods

These words name national holidays, including *元日*, "New Year's Day", and *勤労感謝の日*, "Labor Thanksgiving Day".

The New Year entries include *おとそ*, "spiced sake", and *ぞうに*, "rice cakes boiled with vegetables".

**32** 祭日  
さいじつ  
national holiday; festival

**33** 執行する  
しっこうする  
hold; perform

**34** 元日  
がんじつ  
New Year's Day

**35** 成人  
せいじん  
adult

**36** 春分の日  
しゅんぶんのひ  
Vernal Equinox Day

**37** 記念日  
きねんび  
commemoration day; anniversary

**38** 秋分の日  
しゅうぶんのひ  
Autumnal Equinox Day

**39** 勤労感謝の日  
きんろうかんしゃのひ  
Labor Thanksgiving Day

**40** おとそ  
おとそ  
spiced sake

**41** ぞうに  
ぞうに  
rice cakes boiled with vegetables

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| 執行する | hold; perform |
| 春分の日 | Vernal Equinox Day |
| 記念日 | commemoration day; anniversary |
| 秋分の日 | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| 勤労感謝の日 | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
| おとそ | spiced sake |

## New Year and festival greetings · Word list 2 of 4

### New Year calls and festivals

The New Year expressions include *明けましてお目でとう*, "a Happy New Year", and *今年も 相変らず どうぞよろしく*, "I beg you will continue to favor me this year."

The festival names include *若菜の節句*, "Festival of Early Herb", and *七夕祭*, "Star Festival".

**42** 年始  
ねんし  
New Year's call

**43** 明けましてお目でとう  
あけましておめでとう  
a Happy New Year

**44** 今年も 相変らず どうぞよろしく  
ことしもあいかわらずどうぞよろしく  
I beg you will continue to favor me this year.

**45** 節句  
せっく  
annual festival; fete

**46** 若菜の節句  
わかなのせっく  
Festival of Early Herb

**47** 勤労  
きんろう  
labor; personal service

**48** 感謝  
かんしゃ  
thanks; gratitude

**49** 桃の節句  
もものせっく  
Peach blossom feast

**50** しょうぶ  
しょうぶ  
Iris

**51** 七夕祭  
たなばたまつり  
Star Festival

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| 明けましてお目でとう | a Happy New Year |
| 今年も相変らずどうぞよろしく | I beg you will continue to favor me this year. |
| 若菜の節句 | Festival of Early Herb |
| 桃の節句 | Peach blossom feast |
| 七夕祭 | Star Festival |

## Dolls, carp and Obon · Word list 3 of 4

### Dolls, carp and Obon

The children's festival entries include *ひな人形*, "doll", and *こいのぼり*, "paper carp".

The Obon entries include *陰暦*, "lunar calendar", *仏事*, "Buddhist service", and *墓参り*, "visit to a grave".

**52** 菊  
きく  
chrysanthemum

**53** ひな祭  
ひなまつり  
Doll Festival

**54** ひな人形  
ひなにんぎょう  
doll

**55** かざる  
かざる  
decorate; exhibit

**56** たんごの節句  
たんごのせっく  
Boy's Festival

**57** こいのぼり  
こいのぼり  
paper carp

**58** おぼん  
おぼん  
Bon Festival; Feast of Lanterns

**59** 陰暦  
いんれき  
lunar calendar

**60** 仏事  
ぶつじ  
Buddhist mass; Buddhist service

**61** 墓参り  
はかまいり  
visit to a grave

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| ひな祭 | Doll Festival |
| ひな人形 | doll |
| かざる | decorate; exhibit |
| たんごの節句 | Boy's Festival |

## Bon dancing and fireworks · Word list 4 of 4

### Bon dancing and river fireworks

The festival entries include *ぼんおどり*, "Bon Dance", and *川開き*, "river fete".

The fireworks entries include *花火*, "fireworks", *打ち上げ*, "display", and *呼物*, "attraction".

**62** ぼんおどり  
ぼんおどり  
Bon Dance

**63** 数知れぬほど  
かずしれぬほど  
innumerable; countless number of

**64** 川開き  
かわびらき  
river fete

**65** 年中行事  
ねんじゅうぎょうじ  
annual events

**66** 花火  
はなび  
fireworks

**67** 打ち上げ  
うちあげ  
display; send up; shooting up

**68** 呼物  
よびもの  
attraction; highlight; special feature

**69** 老人の日  
ろうじんのひ  
Senior Citizens' Day

**70** 体育日  
たいいくび  
Physical Education Day

```
Guide for Free Conversation and Exercise

1 Topics:

a Talk about the following topics in Japanese with your classmates.

(1) The Nine Festivals

(2) The Five Annual Festivals

2 Exercise:

a Interpretation Exercise

(1) What is the most important day for the Japanese people?

(1) 元日です。

(2) What do they do on New Year’s Day?

(2) 元日の 朝 おとそを 飲み、ぞうにを 食べます。大人は 年始に まわります。

(3) What is the ”Obon Festival?”

(3) 陰暦七月十三、十四、十五日の 三日間に 行なわれる仏事で、昼は 墓参りをし、夜は ぼんおどりをして、にぎわいます。

(4) What is the “River Festival” on the Sumida River?

(4) それは 七月下旬に 行なわれる 年中行事の一つで、花火の 打ち上げが 呼物の一つになっています。
```

| word | gloss |
|---|---|
| ぼんおどり | Bon Dance |
| 数知れぬほど | innumerable; countless number of |
| 年中行事 | annual events |
| 呼物 | attraction; highlight; special feature |
| 老人の日 | Senior Citizens' Day |
| 体育日 | Physical Education Day |