Transcript MONTHS - Japanese Teaching Ideas

JAPANESE EVENTS
SETSUBUN
せつぶん
Setsubun is the Bean Throwing
Festival and celebrates the
crossover from winter to spring.
It is held in February.
Children wear devil masks and
throw beans shouting ‘Oni wa
soto, fuku wa uchi!’ meaning
‘Out with the devils, in with
happiness.’
HINAMATSURI
ひなまつり
Hinamatsuri is the Dolls’ Festival. It is held in
March. Families with daughters set up displays of
special dolls The dolls are used to pray for a
young girls’ growth and happiness.
HANAMI
はなみ
Hanami is the flower viewing
festival. It begins in March.
Traditionally people prayed at this
time of year for a good harvest
and rice planting season. Today,
people celebrate by having
outdoor parties under Cherry
Blossom (Sakura) trees. They often
eat dango, obento and drink sake.
KODOMONOHI
こどものひ
Kodomonohi is Children’s Day.
It is in May and is a celebration
for wishing all children
happiness and health. Families
fly carp streamers from
flagpoles outside their house.
These carp streamers symbolise
strength because carp are very
strong swimmers.
TANABATA
たなばた
Tanabata is the star festival.
It is in July and celebrates the
legend of two lovers who are
separated by the Milky Way
and can only meet once a
year on the 7th of July. During
Tanabata special decorations
are hung and people write
wishes and hang them on
bamboo. These are often
burned after the festival.
SHICHIGOSAN
しちごさん
Shichigosan is the rite of passage festival. It is in November
and celebrates the well being of young children.
Girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 3 and 5 dress in kimono
and visit shires to drive away evil spirits.
NAN GATSU DESU KA?
なんがつ です か。
March
February
March
November
May
July
wa
EVENT は
desu
MONTH です。