Japanese Through Stories

It is Autumn Ohigan in Japan.Sakura wonders:“Why do we eat ohagi during Ohigan?”A gentle story about this seasonal Japanese tradition,and the difference between ohagi and botamochi.

Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox.Sakura wonders:“Are day and night really the same length?”A gentle conversation about the autumn equinoxand the longer nights that come with autumn in Japan.

Ohigan is coming soon.Sakura wonders:“Wasn’t Obon just recently?”“And does Ohigan happen twice a year?”A gentle conversation about Ohigan,a Japanese tradition connected to spring and autumn.

Respect for the Aged Day is coming soon.Sakura wonders:“What do we do on this day?”“And from what age is someone considered ‘elderly’?”A gentle conversation about what this Japanese holiday really celebrates.

Sakura and Sumire are checking the winning numbers for their dad’s Summer Jumbo lottery tickets.Suddenly, Sakura realizes that one of the numbers seems to match the first prize!Could they really have won? 🐾

Why does susuki feel so strongly connected with autumn in Japan? Sakura and Sumire discover how its autumn seed heads, traditional scenery, and connection with moon viewing have made susuki a familiar symbol of the season.

Autumn clouds can look very different from the towering clouds of summer. Sakura and Sumire notice thin, spreading clouds and learn how shapes such as “urokogumo” and “iwashigumo” can make the changing season visible in the sky.

Are all red dragonflies really the same shade of red? Sakura and Sumire learn how their colors can differ, and how dragonflies begin life underwater as nymphs before taking to the sky.

As autumn arrives, the days grow shorter and the nights begin to feel longer. Sakura and Sumire learn about the Japanese expression “秋の夜長” and talk about how to enjoy a long autumn evening.

EN:Why is 鈴虫（すずむし / suzumushi） called a “bell cricket”?Through Sakura and Sumire’s conversation, discover how its name is connected to its gentle, bell-like sound.JP:なぜ「鈴虫」は、鈴の字が使われているのでしょうか。さくらとすみれの会話から、その名前と鈴のような鳴き声のつながりに触れるお話です。