Pre-reading questions:
- Do you celebrate all holidays in the Golden Week?
- Which is your favorite holiday in the Golden Week?
Vocabulary:
- busy /BIZ-ee/
- sign /sahyn/
- nature /NEY-cher/
- kite /kahyt/
- festival /FES-tuh-vuhl/
[adjective] – in a busy period, you have a lot of things to do
Monday is the busiest day for me.
[verb] – to write your name on a document to show that you agree with it or that you have written it yourself
Please sign your name at the end of the letter.
[noun] – all the animals and plants in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that exist or happen independently of people
Ryu loves nature, so he often goes out hiking.
[noun] – a frame covered with cloth or plastic and joined to a long string that you fly in the air when the weather is windy
There isn’t enough wind to fly a kite today.
[noun] – a special day or period with its own social activities, food, or ceremonies
The Lantern Festival in Nagasaki lasts for 15 days to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Article reading:
April 29
Shōwa no Hi (Shōwa Day)
Japan’s first ruler, Emperor Shōwa, was born on this day. He ruled over Japan from 1926 until his death in 1989.
May 3
Kenpo kinenbi (Constitution Day)
On this day in 1947, the new law system was signed following World War II. This is also a holiday to learn more about Japan’s history and government.
May 4
Midori no Hi (Greenery Day)
Emperor Shōwa’s love of nature inspired the creation of Greenery Day. Several parks and gardens in Japan provide free entry on this day.
May 5
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day)
Families display samurai figurines and hang koinobori (flying carp kites) to pray for their sons’ health and future success on this day. Tango no Sekku (Boys’ Festival) is also celebrated on Children’s Day.
There is much to do in a single week. How would you celebrate Golden Week this year?
True or False:
- The Golden Week has five national holidays.
- Emperor Shōwa was born on April 28.
- Constitution Day is a holiday to learn more about Japan’s history and government.
- Several parks and gardens in Japan provide free entry on Greenery Day.
- Girls’ Festival is also celebrated on May 5.
Fill in the blanks:
| busy | sign | nature | kite | festival |
- I saw a boy flying a _______ in the park.
- This has been such a _______ month! I had a lot of work to do.
- Are you going to the Sapporo Snow _______?
- She wrote this book due to her deep love of _______.
- Do not _______ the papers yet. Make sure you read everything first.