＜全国通訳案内士試験＞

英語第２次口述試験対策

特訓セミナー（2） テキスト

ハロー通訳アカデミー

2019 年度 第２次口述試験（全外国語共通）

時間帯別＜外国語訳問題＞と＜プレゼン＞のテーマ

下記の(P.xx)は、「日本的事象英文説明 300 選」の掲載ページを示します。

【10：00～11：00】（その１）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞箱根(P.18)

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①明治維新 ②おでん(P.30) ③ゴミの分別

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①万葉集 ②まんじゅう(P.39) ③ラッシュアワー

【10：00～11：00】（その２）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞相撲(P.64)

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①明治維新 ②おでん ③ゴミの分別

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①万葉集 ②まんじゅう ③ラッシュアワー

【11：00～12：00】（その１）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞寿司（A) (P.26)

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①桜島 ②桃の節句(P.84) ③計画運休

【11：00～12：00】（その２）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞日本の祭り

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①風鈴(P.106) ②消費増税 ③道の駅

【13：00～14：00】（その１）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞桜前線

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①百舌鳥古市古墳群 ②鯛焼き ③メイドカフェ

【13：00～14：00】（その２）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞紅葉狩り

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①軽井沢 ②千羽鶴(P.58) ③テレワーク

【14：00～15：00】（その１）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞寿司（B) (P.26)

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①秋田竿燈まつり ②タピオカドリンク ③気象警報

【14：00～15：00】（その２）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞お節料理(P.28)

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①金沢 ②ご当地（Ｂ級）グルメ ③里山

【15：30～16：30】（その１）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞着物(P.100)

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①隠れキリシタン ②卵かけご飯 ③宅配ボックス

【15：30～16：30】（その２）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞花火

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①天橋立(P.22) ②味噌田楽 ③カプセルホテル

【16：30～17：30】（その１）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞車椅子

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①阿蘇 ②お好み焼き(P.38) ③アニメやコミックの聖地巡礼

【16：30～17：30】（その２）＜外国語訳のテーマ＞自然災害

＜プレゼンのテーマ＞①ビアガーデン(P.112) ②分煙 ③国定公園

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本書の目的

⑴英語第２次試験に出題が予想される質問に対する基本的認識を深めること。⑵それらの質問に対する自分なりの意見をまとめること。⑶ 「英語第２次試験対策特訓セミナー2」の実践的質疑応答演習を通して、英語第２次試験に対する万全の準備をすること。

本書の構成

⑴本書には11回分のレッスンがある。⑵各レッスンは12の質問により構成されている。⑶本書の前半に質問、後半にその回答がそれぞれ記載されている。

効果的な学習法

《予習》

⑴各LessonのQuestionsに対して、Model Answersを参照しながら自分なりの言い易い回答を用意する。

⑵自分の回答から派生しそうな講師の質問（follow-up questions）についても、回答を用意しておく。

《授業》

⑴授業中は講師の目をしっかり見て、大きな声ではっきり応答する。⑵自分及び他の参加者の回答に対する講師のコメントを注意深く聞き、自分の回答を改良してゆく。

《復習》

⑴授業終了後、再度Model Answersを参照して、さらに自分の回答を改良し、「決定版」と言えるものにする。

⑵ 「決定版」を徹底的に口頭練習して、「長期記憶回路」に定着させる。

QuestionsLesson 1 Education / Religion (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Lesson 2 Religion (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Lesson 3 Religion (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Lesson 4 Religion (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Lesson 5 Culture (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Lesson 6 Culture (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Lesson 7 Culture (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Lesson 8 Culture (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Lesson 9 Culture (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Lesson 10 Culture (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Lesson 11 Culture (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Model AnswersLesson 1 Education / Religion (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Lesson 2 Religion (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Lesson 3 Religion (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Lesson 4 Religion (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Lesson 5 Culture (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Lesson 6 Culture (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Lesson 7 Culture (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Lesson 8 Culture (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Lesson 9 Culture (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Lesson 10 Culture (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Lesson 11 Culture (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

目　次

通訳案内士試験第２次口述試験の評価項目

第２次口述試験は、下記の６つの評価項目にて採点されるので、受験者はこれらの評価項目を常に意識しながら回答しなければならない。

Examination Criteria

1. Listening Comprehension

2. Speaking Ability

3. Pronunciation & Grammar

4. Ability to respond flexibly to the questions asked

5. Motivation & Enthusiasm

6. Aptitude for a tour guide in terms of impression and hospitality

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Lesson 1

● A number in the parentheses indicates the year when the question was asked in the examination.

Education

1. WhydoJapanesechildrengotocramschools?(2009)

2. WhataretheJapaneseschoolslike?

3. Whatisyobiko?

4. Whatisthedifferencebetweenhiraganaandkatakana?(2009)

5. Whatiskanji?

6. Whatisromaji?

Religion (1)

7. SupposeyouaretakingagroupoftouriststoMeijiShrine,whatwouldyouexplaintothembeforeenteringtheshrine?(2008)

8. Supposeyouaretakingagroupof tourists toSenso-jiTemple,whatwouldyouexplaintothem?

9. TellmeaboutTodai-jiTemple.(2008)

10. WhyaretheresomanyBuddhisttemplesinKamakura?(2008)

11. WhyaretheresomanyshrinesandtemplesinKyotoandNara?(2008)

12. WhatisNihon-no-toh?

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Lesson 2 Religion (2)

1. Ihaveseenpeoplecarryingasmallshrineon theirshouldersatalocalfestival.Whatisitandwhydotheycarryit?(2008)

2. Theprecinctsofmostshrinesandtemplesarecoveredwithpebbles.Whyisthat?Doesitsignifysomething?(2008)

3. OnNewYear’sEve,thebellofaBuddhisttempleisstruck108times.Whatdoesitsignify?(2008)

4. Whatisthedifferencebetweenshrinesandtemples?(2007)

5. WhatisShinto?

6. WhendopeoplegotoShintoshrines?

7. WhatisBuddhism?

8. WhatistheultimategoalofBuddhism?

9. WhatisZen?

10. Whatiszazen?(2007)

11. WhatisKannon?

12. WhatisShichifukujin?

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Lesson 3 Religion (3)

1. WhattypesofBuddhiststatuesarethere?(2007)

2. WhydoJapanesepeopleclaptheirhandsatShintoshrines?(2008)

3. WhydoJapaneseworshipatbothBuddhist templesandShintoshrines?

4. Why are weddings held at Shinto shrines and funerals held atBuddhisttemples?

5. Whatarejizostatuesfor?

6. Whatistorii?

7. Whatistheoriginoftorii?

8. Whatisdaibutsu?

9. Whatisjuzu?

10. Whatismokugyo?

11. WhatdopeoplevisitBuddhisttemplesfor?

12. HowcanIdistinguishShintoshrinesfromBuddhisttemples?

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Lesson 4 Religion (4)

1. OnwhatoccasionsdopeoplegotoBuddhisttemples?(2006)

2. OnwhatoccasionsdopeoplegotoShintoshrines?

3. WhatisHatsumode?

4. Whatisomamori?

5. Whatisomikuji?

6. Whatiskomainu?

7. Whatisshimenawa?

8. Whatisdaruma?

9. Whatissaisenbako?

10. WhatisTaian?

11. WhatisButsumetsu?

12. Whatisinari-jinja?

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Lesson 5 Culture (1)

1. Whatiskabuki?(2009)

2. Whatisbunraku?(2009)

3. Howlargeisabunrakupuppet?

4. Howmanypuppeteersarerequiredtomanipulateabunrakupuppet?

5. WhatisNoh?

6. WhatisthedifferencebetweenkabukiandNoh?

7. PleasetellmebrieflyaboutthehistoryofNohandkabuki.

8. Whatiskyogen?

9. WhatkindsofTVprogramsdoyoulike?WhatTVprogramwouldyourecommendtoforeigners?(2008)

10. WhatkindsofTVprogramsarepopularinJapan?(2008)

11. Whatkindofmusicdotoday’syoungJapaneselike?

12. Whatisgagaku?

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Lesson 6 Culture (2)

1. Ihaveseentwotypesofcurtains:Onewasared-and-whiteone,andtheotherwasablack-and-whiteone. Whatare they? What is thedifferencebetweenthem?(2008)

2. Whatisenka?(2006)

3. Whatisjoruri?

4. Whatishanamichi?

5. Whatishanetsuki?

6. Whatisjanken?

7. Whatisshogi?

8. WhatisGo?

9. Whatismah-jongg?

10. WhydoadultsreadcartoonsinJapan?

11. Whatisshakuhachi?

12. Whatisbiwa?

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Lesson 7 Culture (3)

1. Howistheteaceremonydifferentfromjustdrinkingtea?

2. Whatisikebana?

3. Whatischa-no-yu?

4. Whatistheiemotosystem?

5. Whatistakoage?

6. Whatissuibokuga?

7. Whatisukiyoe?

8. Whatispachinko?

9. Whatiskaraoke?

10. WherecanIenjoykaraoke?

11. DoallJapanesewomenknowhowtoarrangeflowersandperformatteaceremonies?

12. WhendoJapanesewritewithabrush?

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Lesson 8Culture (4)

1. TellmeaboutJapanesegardens.(2009,2007)

2. Iwant tovisita traditionalJapanesegarden. Is thereanywhereyoucanrecommend?(2008)

3. Whatisbonsai?(2009)

4. Howarebonsaicultivated?

5. WhataresomedifferencesbetweenJapaneseandWesterngardens?

6. Whatiskaresansui?

7. WherecanIseeakaresansuigarden?

8. Whatisshakkei?

9. Whatisjiki?

10. Whatistoki?

11. Whatisshippoyaki?

12. Whatisshikki?

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Lesson 9Culture (5)

1. Howdoyouexplainshojiandfusumatoforeigntourists?Whatisthedifferencebetweenthem?(2009)

2. Whatissensu?(2009)

3. Whatisuchiwa?(2009)

4. Whatisfuroshiki?

5. Whatiskokeshi?

6. What is the difference betweenWestern music and traditionalJapanesemusic?

7. WillyoutellmeaboutoneofJapan’sWorldHeritagesites?(2009)

8. Whatisjuyo-bunkazai?

9. Whatisyukei-bunkazai?

10. Whatismukei-bunkazai?

11. Ican’tusechopsticks.WhatshouldIdo?(2006)

12. HowareLivingNationalTreasuresdesignated?

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Lesson 10Culture (6)

1. Whatishaiku?(2009)

2. Whatiswaka?

3. Whatishanko?

4. WhatisNishijin-ori?

5. WhatisYuzen?

6. I heard that therearesomedialects in Japan. Canyou tellmesomethingaboutthem?(2008)

7. IheardthattheJapaneselanguagehasthreewritingsystems.Whatarethey?(2007)

8. Whycananindividualkanjibereadinmorethanoneway?

9. WhyistheresomuchJapaneseEnglish?

10. Whatissenbazuru?

11. Whatisjunishi?

12. Whatiskikuningyo?

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Lesson 11 Culture (7)

1. Whatismaneki-neko?(2009)

2. WhatJapaneseartsandcraftsareyouinterestedin?

3. Whatisnetsuke?

4. Whatisoshibori?

5. Whatarewaribashi?

6. Pleaseexplaingiriandninjo.(giri:2009)

7. Pleaseexplainwabiandsabi.

8. Pleaseexplainhonneandtatemae.

9. Whatisotaku?

10. Whyandhowhavemangaandanimebecomesopopularthroughouttheworld?

11. Whatisorigami?

12. WhydoJapaneselikesmallthings?

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Lesson 1 Model AnswersEducation

1. WhydoJapanesechildrengotocramschools?(2009)

[Ex.1] In Japan,manychildrengo to juku,or cramschools, becauseentrancetotopschoolsissocompetitivethatstudentsmustdoextrastudy.Manyparentswant theirchildren toattendprestigiousuniversitiesso thattheycanlaterjoinprestigiouscompanies.

[Ex.2] InJapan,graduationfromaprestigiousuniversityishighlydesirablebecauseitisbelievedtoensureagoodcareerandhighsocialstatus.Parentsoftensend theirchildren toprivatecramschools,or“juku,”startingatayoungageinthehopetogivetheirchildreneverypossibleadvantageintheintensecompetitiontopass theexamsneededtoenter thebest juniorhighschools,highschools,anduniversities.

2. WhataretheJapaneseschoolslike?

InJapan,elementaryschool(sixyears)andjuniorhighschool(threeyears)arecompulsoryforallstudents. Afterwards,studentsusuallyattendhighschools (threeyears),whichoffervariedcurricula, includingacademic,commercialand industrialcourses. Highschoolgraduateswhopass thenecessaryexams thenenter juniorcollegesoruniversities. Graduateandprofessional schools offer advanced degree programs to qualified graduates.

3. Whatisyobiko?

Yobiko is a preparatory school where students study for entranceexaminations to universities. Students who have failed to pass theexaminationsupongraduationfromhighschooloftenentertheseschoolsinpreparationforanotherattemptinthefollowingyear.

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4. Whatisthedifferencebetweenhiraganaandkatakana?(2009)

Hiraganaarecursivephoneticcharacterssimplifiedfromkanji. Theyaremainlyused incombinationwithkanji. On theotherhand,katakanaareangular phonetic characters simplified from kanji. They are mainly used for writingforeignwords.

5. Whatiskanji?

KanjiaretheChineseideographsorcharactersonwhichtheJapanesewritingsystemisbased.Eachkanjiisasymbolforaconceptandisusedforwritingcontentwordsorrootelements. Kanjiareusedincombinationwithkana,whicharephoneticcharactersthatrepresentsyllables.

6. Whatisromaji?

RomajiareRoman lettersused towriteJapanesewords. TheyareoftenemployedinteachingJapaneseasasecondlanguage,andareoftenusedasdecorationonpopulargoods,suchasT-shirtsandshoppingbags.

Religion (1)

7. SupposeyouaretakingagroupoftouriststoMeijiShrine,whatwouldyouexplaintothembeforeenteringtheshrine?(2008)

MeijiShrinewasbuilt in1920,and it isdedicated toEmperorMeijiandEmpressShoken,bothofwhomoversawJapan’sentryintothemodernworldfollowingtheMeijiRestorationof1868.ThisshrineisaverypopularplaceforNewYearvisitsandconductingweddingceremonies.Also,itisfamousforitsspringandautumnfestivalsfeaturingtraditionalperformancessuchasNohdrama,ancientcourtmusic,anddancing.

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8. Supposeyouaretakingagroupof tourists toSenso-jiTemple,whatwouldyouexplaintothem?

Senso-ji Temple was founded in the 7th century, when some local fishermen found a tiny statue of the bodhisattva Kannon in their nets while fishing in thenearbySumidaRiver.Thestatuewasenshrined,andthetemplebecameafamouscenterforworship.Eachyear,over30millionpeoplevisitthetempletoprayand“bathe” in thehealingsmoke thatbillowsout fromthehugeincenseburnerinfrontofthemainhall.Thearcadeknownas“Nakamise,”whichextendsfromthetemple’sfrontgate,Kaminari-mon,toitsmainhall,islinedwithshopsspecializingintraditionalJapaneseconfectionsandothergoods.

9. TellmeaboutTodai-jiTemple.(2008)

Todai-jiTemple isoneofJapan’smostfamousandhistoricallysignificanttemples,and isamajor landmarkofNara. Todai-jiwascompleted in themiddleof the8thcenturyas thehead templeofallprovincialBuddhisttemplesofJapan. IthousesJapan’s largeststatueofBuddha(Daibutsu).Also, theGreatBuddha’shallofTodai-ji is theworld’s largestwoodenstructure,eventhoughthepresentreconstructionoftheearly-18thcenturyisonlytwothirdsthesizeoftheoriginal.

10. WhyaretheresomanyBuddhisttemplesinKamakura?(2008)

During theKamakuraperiod,whenJapansaw the riseof thesamurai topower,severalnewBuddhistsectswereestablishedinJapan.Amongthesesects,theRinzaisectcametoenjoythepatronageoftheupperwarriorclass,especially“shikken,”orHojoregents. Hojoregentsfinanciallyhelped tobuildmanylargetemplesinKamakura.ThisiswhytherearemanytemplesinKamakura.

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11. WhyaretheresomanyshrinesandtemplesinKyotoandNara?(2008)

BothKyotoandNarawereonce theancient capitalsof Japan. DuringtheNaraperiod,successiveemperorshoped topacify thenation throughembracingBuddhismasastatereligion.Kyotohadbeenthecapitalformorethan1,000years,andmanyemperorsbelievedinBuddhism.Asforshrines,thereasonforexistenceoftheJapaneseimperialfamilyisbasedontheShintotenetthatemperorsarethedescendantsofthesungoddessAmaterasu. Forthesereasons,manyemperorssponsoredthebuildingofshrinesandtemplesinthetwoancientcapitals.

12. WhatisNihon-no-toh?

Nihon-no-toh, or a Japanese pagoda, is usually a three- or five-story wooden structure. It is locatedon thegroundsofBuddhist templesand issaid tohouseashesfromtheBuddha.

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Lesson 2 Model AnswersReligion (2)

1. Ihaveseenpeoplecarryingasmallshrineontheirshouldersatalocalfestival.Whatisitandwhydotheycarryit?(2008)

It iscalled“mikoshi.” Mikoshiisaportableshrineinwhichthespiritofadeity temporarilyreposesduringa local festivalheld in thedeity’shonor.It iscarriedon theshouldersof20 to30peoplewearinghappicoatsandshouting“wasshoi,wasshoi.”Thecarryingofaportableshrinethroughthecommunity signifies a visit of the deity to all who live there.

2. Theprecinctsofmostshrinesandtemplesarecoveredwithpebbles.Whyisthat?Doesitsignifysomething?(2008)

TheprecinctsofShintoshrinesandBuddhisttemplesaresacredareas. So,peoplewardoffevilandpurify thesegroundsbyscatteringcleanpebblesgathered fromtheupper reachesofsomesacred rivers. Also,visitors totheshrinesandtemplescanpacify theirfeelingsandpurify theirmind,astheywalkonthepebblesandlistento thesoundof theirownsteps. Withcomposure and cleansed mind, obtained in this way, the visitors are finally allowedtoappearbeforethehallofworship,wheredeitiesorsacredobjectsareenshrined.

3. OnNewYear’sEve,thebellofaBuddhisttempleisstruck108times.Whatdoesitsignify?(2008)

Itiscalled“Joya-no-kane.”Joya-no-kanearethe108chimesofthetemplebellwhicharesoundedatmidnightonNewYear’sEve.Thesoundofthebellringsouttheoldyearandringsinthenewyear.Itisalsosupposedtoreleasepeoplefromthe108worldlysins.

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4. Whatisthedifferencebetweenshrinesandtemples?(2007)

Shintoshrines,whicharealwaysentered througha toriigate,arewhereShintodeitiesareenshrined.Awatertrough,calledatemizuya,isprovidedfor purification, and visitors clap their hands, and tug a thick rope attached to abelltosummontheresidentkami.Buddhisttemplesarewheremonksandnunslive,practiceasceticexercises,andholdBuddhistceremonies.TempleshousemanystatuesandtheyareoftenmoreornatethanShintoshrines.

5. WhatisShinto?

ShintoistheindigenousreligionofJapan.Shintoispolytheistic,anditsgodsare worshiped at shrines called “jinja.” Shinto has neither a specific founder noranybooksofscripture.

6. WhendopeoplegotoShintoshrines?

PeoplegotoShintoshrinesonspecialoccasionssuchasNewYear’sDay,birthsandmarriages.Theymightalsogotoshrinesinordertoprayforgoodluckregardingbusinessorexaminationsorforprotectionagainstmisfortunes.

7. WhatisBuddhism?

BuddhismwasfoundedinIndiaandintroducedthroughChinaandKoreatoJapaninthe6thcentury.Itteachesawaytoenlightenmentandhasexertedgreat influence on the spiritual and cultural life of the Japanese.

8. WhatistheultimategoalofBuddhism?

TheultimategoalofBuddhismistoattainastateofmindwhichisfreefromsuffering,bygettingridofworldlydesires.GautamaBuddha,thefounderofBuddhism,believedthatpeoplesufferbecauseofworldlydesires.

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9. WhatisZen?

ZenBuddhismemphasizessilentmeditationasawaytoenlightenment.Zenconcepts have greatly influenced many aspects of Japanese culture including the tea ceremony, landscape gardening, and flower arrangement.

10. Whatiszazen?(2007)

Zazenreferstoatypeofreligiousmeditationperformedwhileseatedwiththelegscrossedandeachfootrestingontheoppositethigh.ZazenispracticedinZenBuddhism.

11. WhatisKannon?

Kannonis themostpopularBodhisattva inJapan. It isbelievedtobe theDeityofMercywhotookavowtosaveallpeople.

12. WhatisShichifukujin?

ShichifukujinarethesevendeitiesofIndian,ChineseandJapaneseorigin.Thesixgodsandonegoddessareusuallydepictedonatreasureship.Theyarethoughttobringwealthandfortune.

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Lesson 3 Model AnswersReligion (3)

1. WhattypesofBuddhiststatuesarethere?(2007)

Statues of Buddha can be divided into three groups. The first is Nyorai, who wearsasimpleclothwithoutmuchdecoration.ThesecondisBosatsu,whowearsacrown,earrings,bracelets,legringsandotherornaments.ThethirdoneisMyo-ou,whosefaceexpressesangertowardsevils.

2. WhydoJapanesepeopleclaptheirhandsatShintoshrines?(2008)

ClappinghandsinfrontofaShintoshrineisoftenmisinterpretedtomeanthat theworshiperwishes tocall theattentionofkami,or theShintogod.Historicallyspeaking,however,clappinghandsisanancientformofpayingrespectinJapan.Inancienttimes,peopleclappedtheirhandsatceremoniesheldat theImperialCourtorwhenreceivingagiftfromapersoninahighposition. Therefore,byclappinghandsbeforeaShintoshrineoraltar, theworshiperispayingrespecttothedeity.

3. WhydoJapaneseworshipat bothBuddhist templesandShintoshrines?

WhileBuddhismwasfirstdevelopinginIndia, itdidnotdenythegodsofHinduism,butratherincorporatedthemintoBuddhism.SomethingsimilartothisiswhathappenedinJapan.Besides,Shinto(theindigenousreligionofJapan)itselfispolytheistic,andithasthetendencytoincorporate,ratherthanexclude,foreigngods. Therefore, theJapanesehavetraditionallyregardedBuddhistdeitiesassomeof themanygodstoworship,whichhappenedtohaveforeignorigins. Today,manyJapanesefeelcompletelycomfortableworshipingatbothBuddhisttemplesandShintoshrines.

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4. WhyareweddingsheldatShintoshrinesandfuneralsheldatBuddhisttemples?

Inthedistantpast,Japaneseweddingceremonieshadnoreligiousmeaning,andeachhouseholdsimplyhadagatheringtocelebratetheeventaccordingtothestandardsofthetimeandtherulesofthelocalcommunity.Itwasinthe Meiji period that weddings first came to be held at Shinto shrines. After EmperorTaishowasmarried inaShintoceremony in1900, thepracticespread throughout thecountry. Also,whileShintoviewed,andavoided,deathasan“impurity,”Buddhismhadnosuchconcept.So,betweenthe12thand16thcenturies,monksbegantoplayaroleindeathrites,andBuddhismgraduallybecameassociatedwith funerals. Yet, itwasonly after thebeginningoftheEdoperiodthatfuneralsbecameestablishedasaBuddhistceremonyandgravesweresituatedwithinthetemplegrounds.

5. Whatarejizostatuesfor?

JizoisapopularBodhisattva inJapan,andjizostatuesarefoundineverycorner of Japan. Since jizo is the protector of travelers, you will find statues ofhimonthesidesofroadsandhikingtrails. Heisalso theprotectorofpregnantwomen,children,and“mizuko,”babieswhodiedbeforetheywereborn.Itisbelievedthatjizoeasesthesufferingof“mizuko”intheafterlife,sopeopleoftenputredbibsorhatsonthestatuestoappreciatethejizoforhelpingthemizuko.

6. Whatistorii?

Torii is thegateway toaShintoshrine. Itconsistsof twouprightpostsconnectedatthetopbytwohorizontalcrosspieces.Itisregardedasabarrieragainstevilspirits.

7. Whatistheoriginoftorii?

Toriiaresaidtohaveoriginatedasaperchforsacredbirdsinthecompoundofashrine.

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8. Whatisdaibutsu?

DaibutsuisalargestatueofBuddhaandisusuallycastinbronze.TwoofthemostfamousstatuesarefoundinNaraandKamakura.

9. Whatisjuzu?

JuzuisaBuddhistrosary.Ontherosaryare108beadsrepresentingthe108worldlysins. Asaworshiperrecitesprayersorsutras, therosaryisheldintheworshiper’shands.

10. Whatismokugyo?

MokugyoisaslitwoodengongemployedwhilechantingBuddhistsutras.The gong is carved out of wood in the shape of a fish and is beaten with a stickhavingaclothorleatherhead.

11. WhatdopeoplevisitBuddhisttemplesfor?

SomevisitfamousoldBuddhisttemplesjustforsightseeing,otherstopraytoBuddhiststatuesfortheirvariouswishes.

12. HowcanIdistinguishShintoshrinesfromBuddhisttemples?

AShintoshrinehasa largegatewaycalleda toriiat itsentrance,whileaBuddhisttempleusuallyhasstatuesinthemainhall.

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Lesson 4 Model AnswersReligion (4)

1. OnwhatoccasionsdopeoplegotoBuddhisttemples?(2006)

MostJapaneseseldomgotoBuddhist templesexceptforfunerals, thoughsomepeoplego to templesduring theFestivalof theSouls (“Obon”) insummer.Touristscanoftenbeseenvisitingtemples,especiallyinKyotoandNara.

2. OnwhatoccasionsdopeoplegotoShintoshrines?

JapanesevisitShintoshrinesonNewYear’sDaytoprayforgoodhealthandhappinessduringthecomingyear,andonspecialoccasionssuchasafterthebirthofachild,ortocelebrateshichi-go-san.Peoplealsovisitshrinestoprayforsuccessinpassingschoolentranceexaminations,andtoobtaingoodluckcharms. AlthoughsomeweddingsareconductedaccordingtoShintorites,couplesusuallydonotgotoshrinestotaketheirmarriagevows.

3. WhatisHatsumode?

Hatsumode is thefirstvisitpaidon theNewYearholidays toashrineortemple.Peopleprayforalonglifeandhappinessfortheyear.

4. Whatisomamori?

Omamoriisagoodluckcharmconsistingofapieceofpaper,wood,orclothinasmallclothpouch. It iskeptasprotectionfromillness,accidents,anddisasters.

5. Whatisomikuji?

Omikujiarefortuneswrittenonslipsofpaper. Peoplebuythematshrinesand,occasionally,temples,andtiethemontothebranchesofnearbytreesinhopesthatagoodfortunewillcometrueorthatabadfortunewillbekeptaway.

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6. Whatiskomainu?

KomainuareapairofcarvedstoneguardiandogsoftenfoundatthegatesofShintoshrines.Theyarebelievedtowardoffevilspirits.

7. Whatisshimenawa?

Shimenawaisarice-strawropedecoratedwithstripsofcutandfoldedwhitepaper.Itisconsideredtobeabarrieragainstevilspirits.

8. Whatisdaruma?

Darumaisapapier-mâchéfigurewithoutarmsor legswhich,whentippedon one side, always returns to an upright position. The figure is a symbol of determinationandanobjectforgoodluck.

9. Whatissaisenbako?

Saisenbakoistheoffertoryboxatthefrontofatempleorshrine. Moneyisdroppedintotheboxbyvisitors,thefaithful,andthosewishingforgoodluck.

10. WhatisTaian?

Taianisoneofarecurringsequenceofsixdaysknownas“rokuyo.” It isconsideredaluckydayandmostoftheweddingceremoniesinJapanareheldonthisday.

11. WhatisButsumetsu?

Butsumetsuisoneofarecurringsequenceofsixdaysknownas“rokuyo.”ItisconsideredanunluckydaybecauseofitsassociationwithBuddha’sdeath.

12. Whatisinari-jinja?

Inari-jinjaisalocaltutelaryShintoshrinededicatedtothegodsoftheharvestandindustry.Twostatuesoffoxes,themessengersofthegods,standatthegateoftheshrine.

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Lesson 5 Model AnswersCulture (1)

1. Whatiskabuki?(2009)

Kabuki isa traditionalstagedramaperformedexclusivelybymen to theaccompanimentofsongsandmusic.Itischaracterizedbyacombinationofrhythmicalwords,dancing,elaboratecostumes,andstagesets.

2. Whatisbunraku?(2009)

Bunraku is a classicalpuppetplayperformed to theaccompanimentofnarrativeballadsknownasjoruri. Itscharmliesintheharmonyofskilledpuppeteersandthevoicesofthejorurisinger.

3. Howlargeisabunrakupuppet?

[Ex.1] Abunrakupuppetisabouttwo-thirdslife-size.

[Ex.2] Abunrakupuppetisfrom1to1.5mtall.

4. Howmanypuppeteersarerequiredtomanipulateabunrakupuppet?

Threepuppeteersarerequired tomanipulateabunrakupuppet. Themainpuppeteermanipulatesthepuppet’sheadandrighthand,thesecondpuppeteerthelefthand,andthethirdthefeet.

5. WhatisNoh?

Nohisaclassicalstageartperformedmostlybymentotheaccompanimentof recitative chants called yokyoku and an orchestra consisting of a flute and threetypesofdrums.Itischaracterizedbysymbolic,highlystylizedacting,andelaboratemasks.

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6. WhatisthedifferencebetweenkabukiandNoh?

Compared with kabuki, Noh has fewer dramatic elements, the dancemovementsareperformedmoreslowly,and theprincipalNohcharacterswearmasks. Inaddition,thestageandstagesetsofNoharemuchsimplerthanthoseofkabuki.

7. PleasetellmebrieflyaboutthehistoryofNohandkabuki.

Nohis theoldest formof theater inJapan. Itsoriginsgoback toancienttimes, but it was in the fourteenth century that it began to flourish. Kabuki datesbacktotheseventeenthcentury.Nohwasformembersofthewarriororsamuraiclass,whereaskabukiwasforthecommonpeople.

8. Whatiskyogen?

Kyogen is a traditional comicormimedramawhich reflects everydayconditionsof life. InadditiontobeingperformedbetweentheworksofaNohprogramasaninterlude,itisalsoperformedinitsownright.

9. WhatkindsofTVprogramsdoyoulike?WhatTVprogramwouldyourecommendtoforeigners?(2008)

OfthewidevarietyofprogramsthatarepopularonJapaneseTV,Ipersonallylikedocumentaries. But, sincemost foreignvisitorsmaynotunderstandJapanese, Iwouldrecommend theywatchsamuraidramas. Bywatchingthem,theycangetaverygoodideaofwhatthetraditionalJapaneselifestylewaslike,eveniftheydon’tunderstandthelanguage.

10. WhatkindsofTVprogramsarepopularinJapan?(2008)

Sportsbroadcasting,newsshows,“wideshows”featuringnewsandgossipaboutcelebrities,quizshows,andserialdramasarethemostpopulartypesofTVprogramsinJapan.

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11. Whatkindofmusicdotoday’syoungJapaneselike?

Inaddition todomestic Japanesepopmusic,youngpeople in JapanareinterestedinavarietyofmusicfromtheU.S.andothercountries,includingrock,R&B,hiphop,reggae,Eurobeat,andtechnopop. However,whenitcomestosingingsongsthemselves,theyseemtopreferJapanesepopmusic.

12. Whatisgagaku?

GagakuisagenreoftheancientceremonialdancesandmusicoftheImperialCourt. The termbugakurefers to thedances,whilekangenrefers to themusicperformedbyanensembleofwind,string,andpercussioninstruments.

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Lesson 6 Model AnswersCulture (2)

1. Ihaveseentwotypesofcurtains:Onewasared-and-whiteone,andtheotherwasablack-and-whiteone. Whatare they? What is thedifferencebetweenthem?(2008)

Thecurtainwithbroadred-and-whiteverticalstripesisusedoncelebratoryoccasions,suchasentranceandgraduationceremoniesatschools. Ontheotherhand,theonewithbroadblack-and-whiteverticalstripesisdrapedonsadorunhappyoccasions,suchasfunerals.Sinceancienttimes,redhasbeenthecolorofcelebrationbecauseitisassociatedwiththesun.Blackhasbeenthecolorofmourningbecauseitisassociatedwithnightanddarkness.

2. Whatisenka?(2006)

EnkaisagenreofJapanesesongs,characterizedbylyricsabout love,andmingledfeelingsofjoyandsorrow.EnkasongshaveexistedinJapansincethe1920s,buttheyreachedtheirheightofpopularityinthe1960sand70s.EvennowmanyolderJapanesepeopleenjoysingingenkasongsatkaraoke.

3. Whatisjoruri?

Joruri isa traditionalnarrativeballadoriginallyaccompaniedbybiwaandlaterbyshamisen.Todaythetermusuallyreferstothemusicofthebunrakupuppettheater.

4. Whatishanamichi?

Hanamichi, literally“flowerpath,” is the raisedplatformwhichextendsfromthestage through theaudience inakabuki theater. It isactuallyanextensionofthestageonwhichtheactorscancomeintoclosecontactwiththeaudience.

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5. Whatishanetsuki?

HanetsukiisatraditionalNewYeargamesimilartobadminton.Itisplayedwithanornamentedwoodenpaddlebygirlsdressedinkimono.

6. Whatisjanken?

Janken is the “rock-scissors-paper”gameplayedbetween twoormoreparticipantsasameansofcomingtoadecision. Inthegame,handmovesaremade torepresenta rock(fist),scissors(the indexandmiddlefingersextended),orpaper(theopenhand).Rockbreaksscissors,scissorscutpaper,andpapercoversrock.

7. Whatisshogi?

Shogi isa traditionalchess-likegameplayedbetween twopeople. As inchess,piecesmaybecaptured,butunlikeinchessthosepiecesmaybeusedbythecaptor.Thegameendswiththecheckmateofanopponent’sking.

8. WhatisGo?

Go,origo,isagameofstrategyplayedbetweentwopeople.Blackandwhitestonesareplacedalternatelyonaboard inanattempt tocapture theotherplayer’s stones by surrounding them. The game ends when the board is filled withstones,orthepossibilitiesforgainingterritoryareexhausted.

9. Whatismah-jongg?

Mah-jonggisoneofthemostpopularindoorgamesinJapan,similarinstatustothegameofpokerinAmerica.ItisofChineseoriginandisplayedbyfourpeople. Eachplayer’shandalwaysconsistsof13tiles. Theobjectof thegameistogetacompletehandof14tiles.

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10. WhydoadultsreadcartoonsinJapan?

It is because, unlike in theWest, comic stripshavebeen apart of theentertainmentcultureforbothadultsandchildreninJapan.ThereareawidevarietyofcartoonsandcomicbooksinJapan.Andthereareanequallywiderangeofreaders. Japanhas,amongothers,cartoons thatdealwith topicssuchasromance,sports,gourmetcooking,business,politics,history,andphilosophy.

11. Whatisshakuhachi?

Shakuhachi is a bamboo flute, generally having five finger holes. It is usually playedasaccompanimenttotraditionalsongs.

12. Whatisbiwa?

Biwaisafour-orfive-stringedmusical instrumentsimilar toa lute. It isprimarilyusedasaccompanimenttotraditionalnarrativeballads.ThelargestlakeinJapaniscalledLakeBiwabecauseitsshaperesemblestheoutlineoftheinstrument.

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Lesson 7 Model AnswersCulture (3)

1. Howistheteaceremonydifferentfromjustdrinkingtea?

In the Japanese teaceremony, rulesgoverneveryaspectofmakingandserving the tea — from preparing the fire, adding the hot water to tea cups, stirringtheteawithawhisk,toservingittoguests.Evenparticipatingasaguestinaformalteaceremonyrequiresknowledgeoftheprescribedgesturesandphrases,andtheproperwaytotaketeaandsweets. Therefore, theteaceremonyisquitedifferentfromjustdrinkingtea.

2. Whatisikebana?

Ikebana is the traditionalJapaneseartofarrangingflowers. In itsearlierstagesofdevelopmentitwascloselyrelatedtotheteaceremony,beingusedasaspecialtechniquefordecoratingthetearoom.

3. Whatischa-no-yu?

Cha-no-yuistheartandritualofservingspecialpowderedtea.Itoriginatedin themonasteriesofZenBuddhism,but today it is regardedasa formofartisticdiscipline for thecultivationofmentalcomposureandelegantmanners.

4. Whatistheiemotosystem?

The iemotosystemisused in the traditionalJapaneseartsasawayforagrandmaster(oriemoto)toconveythecorrectteachingsofhisorherschool.Thoughthetoprankofiemotoisusuallypassedalongbydirectinheritance,anypractitioner,whoobtainstheproperskillsandpaysalicensingfee,maybegrantedalicensequalifyingthepractitionerasateacheroftheschool.Theiemotoalonehastheauthoritytoissuesuchlicenses.

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5. Whatistakoage?

Takoage means “kite-flying.” It is a popular New Year activity for children inJapan.

6. Whatissuibokuga?

Suibokuga isastyleof India inkpainting. Scenesfromnature,animals,birds, and flowers are typical subjects. Suibokugabegan amongZenBuddhistmonksandwasgraduallyadoptedbyprofessionalartists.

7. Whatisukiyoe?

Ukiyoeisastyleofwood-blockprintingdevelopedduringtheEdoperiod.Itdepicts theJapaneselandscape, theeverydaylifeofcommoners,kabukiactors,sumowrestlers,andbeautifulwomen.

8. Whatispachinko?

Pachinkoisagameofchanceandskillplayedonanuprightpinballmachine.Aplayertriestomanipulatesmallsteelballsthroughcertainholessoastowinmoreballswhichcanlaterbeexchangedforsuchprizesascigarettes,food,orotheritems.

9. Whatiskaraoke?

Karaoke is theactof singing throughanamplifier to recordedmusicalaccompaniment. Mostbars andpubshavevery sophisticatedkaraokesystems.

10. WherecanIenjoykaraoke?

Youcanenjoykaraokeatmanydrinkingplaces. Therearealsowhattheycall“karaokeboxes,”whichconsistofsmallroomsdesignedsothatsmallgroupscanenjoykaraokeprivately.

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11. DoallJapanesewomenknowhowtoarrangeflowersandperformatteaceremonies?

No.However,untiltheendofWorldWarII,knowledgeoftheteaceremonyand flower arrangement was expected of all single women hoping to marry.

12. WhendoJapanesewritewithabrush?

ThoughJapanesestudycalligraphyinschool,theyrarelywritewithabrushindaily life. Theymaydosoonlywhenaddressingenvelopesforspecialoccasionssuchasweddings,births,or funerals. However,evenon theseoccasionsabrushisnotneeded;mostpeoplesimplyuseafelt-tippen.

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Lesson 8 Model AnswersCulture (4)

1. TellmeaboutJapanesegardens.(2009,2007)

AJapanesegardenisa landscapegardencomposedofrocks, trees,ponds,andothernaturalobjects. This typeofgarden isdesigned inaccordancewith theappearanceofnature. The threemostfamous landscapegardensinJapanare(1)Koraku-eninOkayama,OkayamaPrefecture,(2)Kenroku-eninKanazawa,IshikawaPrefecture,and(3)Kairaku-eninMito,IbarakiPrefecture.

2. Iwant tovisita traditionalJapanesegarden. Is thereanywhereyoucanrecommend?(2008)

[Ex.1] IfyouaretravelinginTokyo,IrecommendHamaRikyuGardensinChuoWard,Tokyo.HamaRikyuwasthegardenofafeudallord’sresidenceduring theEdoperiod, and isoneofTokyo’smost attractive landscapegardens. It is locatedalongTokyoBay,next to the futuristicShiodomedistrict. Seawaterponds(“Shioiri-no-ike”),whichchangetheirwaterlevelwith theebbandflowof the tides, formerduck-huntinggrounds,forestedareas, anda teahouseare someof thepark’sattractions. Also,youcanenjoy thesuperbcontrastbetweenthe traditionalgardensandShiodome’sskyscrapersinthebackground.

[Ex.2] Ifyouare traveling inTokyo, Iwould recommendRikugien inBunkyoWard,Tokyo. It isoneofTokyo’smostbeautiful,Japanese-stylelandscape gardens. Completed in the early 18th century by shogunal official YanagisawaYoshiyasu,Rikugien literallymeans“six-poemgarden,”andreproduces88scenesfromfamouspoemsinminiature. Rikugienisquiteaspaciousgardenwithalargecentralpond,islands,forestedareas,man-madehills,andseveralteahouses.

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[Ex.3] IfyouaretravelinginKyoto,IwouldrecommendKinkakuTempleanditssurroundinggarden.Kinkaku,athree-storypavilioncoveredingoldleaf,ispositionedattheedgeofapond.Thestructureissupportedonpillars,extends over the pond, and on a clear day it is beautifully reflected in the calm waters.Youcanalsoenjoyexploringthesurroundinggardenwithitsmoss-coveredgroundsandteahouses.

[Ex.4] Ifyouare traveling inKyoto, Iwouldrecommend thegardenatRyoan-jiTemple. It isoneof themost famousZen-styledry-landscapegardens inJapan. Just15rocksarearrangedin threegroupingsofseven,five, and three, in waves of raked white pebbles. From the temple’s veranda, whichis theproperviewingplace,only14rockscanbeseenatonetime.Moveslightlyandanotherrockappearsbutoneoftheoriginal14disappears.IntheBuddhistworld,thenumber15denotescompleteness.

3. Whatisbonsai?(2009)

Bonsaiisapottedtreewhichhasbeendwarfedandshapedbysuchmethodsaspruningandwiringinordertocreateparticularlyaestheticshapes.

4. Howarebonsaicultivated?

Bonsai is theartofaestheticminiaturizationof treesbygrowing theminearthenwarecontainers. Cultivation,whichusually spansmanyyears,consistsofselectingtheappropriate typeofsoil,useoffertilizer,periodicrepotting,wiringthebranchesortrunktocontroltheshape,andpruning.

5. WhataresomedifferencesbetweenJapaneseandWesterngardens?

Acommondifferenceisthat,usually,Japanesegardenstrytocreateanaturalscene,whileWesterngardensusuallyplaceemphasisongeometricalformandbalance.

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6. Whatiskaresansui?

Karesansui isadrylandscapegardenmainlycomposedofrocksandsand.Therocksrepresentmountainsorislands,whilethesandrepresentswater.

7. WherecanIseeakaresansuigarden?

MostZenBuddhisttempleshavekarensansui-typegardens.ThefamousonesarefoundatRyoanTempleandDaitokuTemple,bothinKyoto.

8. Whatisshakkei?

Shakkei, or “borrowed landscape,” is the incorporation of outside orsurroundinglandscapesintothedesignofagarden.

9. Whatisjiki?

Jikiisglazedporcelainwithawhitetranslucentbody.NotablekindsofjikiwareareImari,Kiyomizu,andSeto.

10. Whatistoki?

Tokiisglazedpotterywithanopaquebody.NotablekindsoftokiwareareHagi,Oribe,andMashiko.

11. Whatisshippoyaki?

Shippoyaki,originallyfromChina,isacloisonnétypeofceramicware.Theenamelsgiveamulti-colored,gem-likesurfacetoplatesandvases.

12. Whatisshikki?

Shikkiislacquerware. MostsoupbowlsandsomechopsticksinJapanarelacquered. Notablekindsof lacquerwareareWajima,Aizu,andTsugaru-nuri.

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Lesson 9 Model AnswersCulture (5)

1. Howdoyouexplainshojiandfusumatoforeigntourists?Whatisthedifferencebetweenthem?(2009)

Shojiareslidingdoorscoveredwith thinwhitepaperonawoodenframe.TheyseparatetheroomsinaJapanesehousefromthecorridorsorveranda.Ontheotherhand,fusumaarewood-framedslidingdoorscoveredwiththickpaper.TheyseparatetheroomsinaJapanesehouse.

2. Whatissensu?(2009)

Sensu isa foldingfanmadeofpaperonabambooframe,usuallywithadecorativepicture,design,orcalligraphiccharacteronit.

3. Whatisuchiwa?

Uchiwa isa round, flatpaper fanwithawoodenorplastichandle. It isusually used for keeping oneself cool or fanning a fire.

4. Whatisfuroshiki?

Furoshiki isawrappingcloth,oftenwithdecorativedesigns. Whennot inuse,furoshikicanbefoldedcompactlyandputaway.

5. Whatiskokeshi?

Kokeshiisasimplewoodendollconsistingofacylindricalbodyandaroundhead.Thedollshavenolegsorarms.

6. What is the difference betweenWestern music and traditionalJapanesemusic?

Themusicalinstrumentsusedaredifferentandsothesoundisdifferent.ThemainmusicalinstrumentsusedfortraditionalJapanesemusicareshamisen,shakuhachi,andkoto.

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7. WillyoutellmeaboutoneofJapan’sWorldHeritagesites?(2009)

[Ex.1] Iwill tellyouaboutHimejiCastlenearKobe,HyogoPrefecture,oneofthemostfamouscastlesinJapan.ItisdesignatedasaWorldCulturalHeritagesite,aswellasaNationalTreasure. HimejiCastle isalsoknownas“EgretCastle”becauseofitswhiteplasteredwalls,andisconsideredoneofthemostbeautifulcastlesinJapan.AsusualwithmanyJapanesecastles,itsitshighonahillandoffersanexcellentviewfromthetopofthecastletower.

[Ex.2] Iwill tellyouaboutHoryujiTempleinNaraPrefecture. HoryujiTemple is internationallynotedamongtheoldestwoodenstructures in theworld,anddesignatedasaWorldCulturalHeritagesite.Thetemplepresentsvisitors with the opportunity to view some of Japan’s finest historical works ofartinapleasantatmosphere.MostofthemajorbuildingsintheprecinctshavelongbeennamedNationalTreasures.

[Ex.3] I will tell you about Itsukushima Shrine. It is a magnificent Shinto shrineontheislandofItsukushima(orMiyajima)inHiroshimaPrefecture.ItisdesignatedasaWorldCulturalHeritagesite,andtheseveralbuildingsandpossessionsoftheshrinearenamedNationalTreasures.Thisshrineextendsovertheseaonlongpillars.Itslargeredtoriiisrenownedfortheimpressionit gives of floating on the sea.

8. Whatisjuyo-bunkazai?

Juyo-bunkazaiareimportantculturalassets.Theyaredesignatedassuchbythe education minister and the most significant among these are classified as nationaltreasures.

9. Whatisyukei-bunkazai?

Yukei-bunkazaiaretangibleculturalassets.Theyaredesignatedassuchbytheeducationministerandincludepictures,sculptures,architecture,andthelike.

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10. Whatismukei-bunkazai?

Mukei-bunkazaiareintangibleculturalassets. Theyaredesignatedassuchbytheeducationminister,andincludeplays,music,andartistictechniques.

11. Ican’tusechopsticks.WhatshouldIdo?(2006)

Don’tworry. Mostrestaurantsordiningroomsofhotelsyoumaystayathaveknivesandforksavailableforthosewhoarenotaccustomedtousingchopsticks.

12. HowareLivingNationalTreasuresdesignated?

TheMinisterofEducation,Culture,Sports,ScienceandTechnologymaydesignatesomeoneasa“LivingNationalTreasure”if thepersonpossesses:(1)specialactingskillsrelatedtoJapan’straditionalperformingarts,or(2)specialskillsrelatedtothetraditionalcraftsofJapan.

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Lesson 10 Model AnswersCulture (6)

1. Whatishaiku?(2009)

Haikuisaverycompactbutevocativeverseformof17syllablesina5-7-5linepattern.Thethemesofhaikumaybeinspiredbyintuitiveperceptionintonatureandlife.

2. Whatiswaka?

Wakais thegeneral termforclassicalJapaneseverseforms. Itespeciallyrefers to Tanka, a 31-syllable verse form with five lines in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.

3. Whatishanko?

Hanko isapersonal sealwhichhas thesame legal statusas theWesternsignature.Hankoisusuallymadeofwood,stone,orivory,andisengravedwiththefamilyname.

4. WhatisNishijin-ori?

Nishijin-oriisthenameofasilkfabricandbrocadeproducedintheNishijindistrictofKyoto.Thefabricsproducedhereareusedinsuchitemsaskimonosashes,tablecloths,andneckties.

5. WhatisYuzen?

YuzenisaspecialcraftofKyotoinwhichsilkfabricsaredyedwithawidevarietyofpatternsandcolors.Yuzen-dyedscarfs,handkerchiefs,andkimonoarepopular.TheprocessissaidtohavebeeninventedbyMiyazakiYuzen,anartistofthelate17thcentury.

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6. I heard that thereare somedialects in Japan. Canyou tellmesomethingaboutthem?(2008)

Interestinglyenough,althoughJapanissuchasmall islandcountry, ithasseveraldistinctivelocaldialectsintheJapaneselanguage.Forexample,thestandardJapaneseword(alsothewordintheTokyodialect)for“thankyou”is“arigatou,”whereasit is“ookini”intheOsakadialect. Yet,peoplefromallareas,includingOkinawa,cancommunicatewithoneanotherinstandardJapanese,whichhasevolvedfromthespeechpatternsusedbypeopleintheTokyoareaoverthecenturies.

7. IheardthattheJapaneselanguagehasthreewritingsystems.Whatarethey?(2007)

TowriteJapanese,weusethreedifferenttypesofcharacters. Theyinclude“kanji,”oranadaptedformofChinesecharacters,andtwoother typesofphoneticcharactersrepresentingonlyphoneticsounds,namely,“hiragana”and “katakana.” The two types of phonetic characters were both simplified fromtheChinesecharacters,butoneofthem,“hiragana,”iscursive,andtheother,“katakana,”isangular. Theangularonesaremainlyusedforwritingforeignloanwords.

8. Whycananindividualkanjibereadinmorethanoneway?

Mostkanji,orChinesecharacters,haveat least tworeadings, that is, twowaystheycanbepronounced.OneistheJapanesewaycalled“kun-yomi,”andtheotheristheChinesewaycalled“on-yomi.”BeforeJapan’sadoptionofChinesecharacters, theJapaneselanguageexistedasaspokenlanguagewithout its ownwriting system. When the Japanese adoptedChinesecharacters, theyalsoadoptedsomeoftheChinesepronunciations(i.e., theirJapaneseimitationsorapproximationsoftheoriginalChinesesound)ofthecharacters.Thus,generally,therearemorethanonewayofreadingthesamekanji.

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9. WhyistheresomuchJapaneseEnglish?

JapaneseEnglishcomesinanumberofdifferentforms. Forexample, theJapanese-Englishwordfor“rear-viewmirror”is“bakku-mira.”SuchwordswereprobablycreatedbecausetherealEnglishwaseitherhardtounderstandordifficult topronounce. Anothergroupofexamplesmay include“pasokon”for“personalcomputer”and“sekuhara”for“sexualharassment.” Inthesecases, thebeginningsof twowordswerecombined tocreateanewword,which isshorterandmucheasier forJapanese topronounce. Also,sometimes,wordsarejustthrowntogetherinanEnglish-likefashiontomakeupfora lackofpropervocabulary. Oneofsuchcases isJapanese“beddotaun”(“bedtown”)forEnglish“bedroomsuburb.”

10. Whatissenbazuru?

Senbazuru isastringofa thousandpapercranes. It isusuallysent toapersonwhoisillorinjuredasaprayerforrecovery.Thecraneissymbolicofhappinessandlonglife.

11. Whatisjunishi?

JunishiarethetwelvesignsoftheChinesezodiac. Inyearlysequencetheyare:mouse,ox, tiger,hare,dragon,serpent,horse,sheep,monkey,rooster,dog,andwildboar.

12. Whatiskikuningyo?

Kikuningyo is a life-size doll constructed of colorful chrysanthemum flowers and leaves. It usually represents a historical figure of the feudal ages.

Lesson 11 Model AnswersCulture (7)

1. Whatismaneki-neko?(2009)

Maneki-neko is a statueof a cat beckoningpassers-by. The statue isoftenfoundinrestaurantsandshopsandisdisplayedasacharmtoattractcustomers.

2. WhatJapaneseartsandcraftsareyouinterestedin?

[Ex.1] I’minterestedinlacqueredcrafts.Thereareboxes,cases,andtrayslacqueredinblackorred,onwhichbeautifuldesignsaremadewithgoldandshell.

[Ex.2] I’minterestedintraditionalJapanesepainting.Thepaintingsdoneonoldfusuma(slidingdoors)andbyobu(foldingscreens)ofthe15thto17thcenturiesareverybeautiful.

3. Whatisnetsuke?

Netsukeisasmall,toggle-likeobjectcarvedoutofwoodorivory.Originally,itwasusedtofastenasealcase,pouch,orpursetoakimonosash.Netsukeisusuallyaboutfourcentimetersbig,andhasintricatecarvingswhichdepictsuchsubjectsaspeople,animals,anddailyutensils.

4. Whatisoshibori?

Oshiboriarehandtowelsofferedinarestaurantortearoom.Theyareusedtocleanone’shandsbeforeeating.

5. Whatarewaribashi?

Waribashiaredisposablewoodenchopsticksthatarepre-cutsotheycanbesplitapartbeforeuse.Waribashiareusuallyprovidedinpubliceatingplaces.

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6. Pleaseexplaingiriandninjo.(giri:2009)

Giri refers to the senseof social obligationwhich every individual issupposedtodevelopin life. Ninjorefers to thenaturalhumanfeelingsoflove,sympathy,andsorrow,whicheveryoneisassumedtohavefrombirth.

7. Pleaseexplainwabiandsabi.

Wabi refers to an aesthetic of refined rusticity, and sabi refers to the elegant serenityofdesolation. Wabiandsabiareamong thehighestofaestheticqualitiesvaluedintraditionalJapanesearts,particularlytheteaceremonyandhaiku.

8. Pleaseexplainhonneandtatemae.

Honnereferstoone’struefeelingsormotives,whereastatemaeis thefaceonewearsinpublic.Honnemaybeexpressedprivately,whiletatemaeisanopiniondesignedforsocialacceptance.

9. Whatisotaku?

Theword“otaku”begantobeusedinthe1980s.Itsmeaningvariesslightlyaccordingtothetimes,butatfirst ithadthefollowingsomewhatnegativemeaning:“peoplewhoarepooratcommunicatingwithothersandwholosethemselvesinhobbiesthattheycandowithoutreferencetootherpeople.”Atpresent,itstillretainsthisnegativeaspect,butitsscopehasbroadenedsothatitcanbecasuallyusedasasynonymfor“freak”or“enthusiast,”suchasin“railroad otaku” or “fitness otaku.” Overseas, “otaku” refers to anyone who isinterestedinJapanesepopularcultureasawhole.

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10. Whyandhowhavemangaandanimebecomesopopularthroughouttheworld?

Japanesemangaandanimehaveattractedagreatdealofattentionbecauseoftheirstorytellingandthehighqualityoftheirartwork. SeveralpiecesofworkbyStudioGhibliofHayaoMiyazakihavebecomeworldfamous.Butevenbefore that, Japaneseanime,suchasAstroBoy(TetsuwanAtomu),Doraemon,andothers,hadbeentelecastonTVstationsthroughouttheworldandhadalreadyearnedanexcellentreputation.

11. Whatisorigami?

Origamiis thetraditionalJapaneseartoffoldingpaperintovariousshapessuchasbirds,animals,andflowers. Theyaremadewithsquare,coloredpiecesofpaperwithouttheuseofscissorsorpaste.

12. WhydoJapaneselikesmallthings?

It is said that the Japaneseword for “beautiful” (utsukushii)originallyincludedthemeaningof“small.”Japanesedoseemtolovesmallthingsandadmire anything that shows fine and delicate workmanship. Since Japanese arefairlycleverwith theirhands, theyaresuited tomakingsuchobjects.SomeexamplesofJapaneseminiaturizationare“bonsai”(adwarfedtreeinapot)and“hakoniwa”(agardeninasmallbox).Inmoderntimes,thistalentledtothedevelopmentoftransistorradios,Walkmans,andmuchmore.