The Emperor’s Birthday: A Celebration of Tradition and Unity

admin 2023年2月23日

Beginner

Japan News, japan news - beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Have you ever participated in any of the traditional customs associated with a public holiday in Japan?
Are public holidays in Japan celebrated on the same day every year?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

cultural /KUHL-cher-uhl /

[adjective] – relating to the habits, traditions, and beliefs of a society:
Our school has a cultural festival every year where students can share their traditions and customs with others.

admire /ad-MAHYUHR/

[verb] – to find someone or something attractive and pleasant to look at
I admire my grandmother for all the hard work she has done in her life.

ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/

[noun] – (a set of) formal acts, often fixed and traditional, performed on important social or religious occasions
We had a graduation ceremony at school yesterday, and all the students wore caps and gowns.

palace /PAL-is /

[noun] – a large house that is the official home of a king, queen, or other person of high social rank
The king and queen live in a palace, which is a very big and beautiful building with many rooms.

atmosphere /AT-muhs-feer/

[noun] – the character, feeling, or mood of a place or situation
There was a happy atmosphere at the party, with people laughing and dancing to music.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Japan’s cultural heritage is something that the world has come to appreciate and admire. The country has a long history of traditions and customs that are still celebrated today.

One such event is the Emperor’s birthday, a national holiday that holds great significance in Japanese culture. On February 23rd, the birth of the current Emperor Naruhito is celebrated with a day filled with festivities and ceremonies across the country. The highlight of the day is the public appearance of the Emperor and the Imperial Family on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Thousands of people gather to offer their congratulations and catch a glimpse of the royals. The Imperial Guard also holds a special parade, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Emperor’s Birthday is not just a day of celebration but also a reminder of the importance of tradition and community. The festivities bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate their shared cultural heritage and values. As the world continues to become more globalized, events like the Emperor’s Birthday serve as a reminder of the value of tradition.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Japan’s cultural heritage is admired by people around the world.
The Emperor’s birthday is a national holiday in Japan.
The public appearance of the Emperor and the Imperial Family is not part of the celebrations.
The Imperial Guard does not participate in the celebrations.
The Emperor’s Birthday is not relevant to the modern world.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

cultural

admire

ceremony

palace

atmosphere

The wedding ______ was held in a beautiful church, and the bride and groom exchanged rings to symbolize their love for each other.
When I went on vacation, I visited a ______ that used to be the home of a famous queen many years ago.
When I visited Italy, I enjoyed learning about the country’s ______ heritage by visiting museums and historical sites.
Maria ______ her favorite singer because of her beautiful voice and her inspiring songs.
The ______ in the classroom was quiet and focused, as all the students were studying for their exams.