Japanese Through Stories

Why is autumn calledthe season for reading?Books can be readin spring, summer, or winter too.But in Japan,autumn is often connected with reading,food, and sports.Sakura and Sumire talk aboutwhy autumn seems to haveso many different “seasons.”

Today is Sports Day in Japan.But Sakura suddenly remembers something.“Wasn’t it calledHealth and Sports Day before?”A familiar national holidaycan feel a little differentwhen its name changes.On their way to the school sports festival,Sakura and Sumire talk aboutthe old and new names of the holiday.

Sports Day is coming,and so is Sakura and Sumire’s school sports festival.But if the festival is heldon a day off,it does not really feel like a holiday.From there,Sakura starts wondering:Why do people in Japan say“autumn is the season for sports”?Reading, eating, sports...Autumn seems to bea very busy season in Japan.

Yesterday,「寒露」(Kanro)was just a word on the calendar.This morning,Sakura notices dewon the grass and rememberswhat she learned.Sometimes,learning one seasonal wordcan make an ordinary viewlook a little different.A gentle story aboutnoticing the seasonthrough words and everyday life.

You may sometimes see the word「寒露」(Kanro)on Japanese calendars.But what does it actually mean?Sakura and Sumire notice the wordand ask Hachi-sensei about it.A gentle story aboutone of Japan’s traditionalseasonal expressions.

Autumn is not somethingwe notice only with our eyes.Sometimes,we feel it through smells,sounds,and the cool air on our skin.A gentle storyabout Sakura and Sumirenoticing autumnthrough the senses.

While walking outside,Sakura and Sumire noticethe sweet scent of osmanthus.But where is it coming from?Sometimes,you notice the fragrancebefore you see the flowers.A gentle autumn storyabout finding the seasonthrough scent.

What color is October?Spring may feel pinkbecause of cherry blossoms.But autumn has many colors:red leaves,yellow ginkgo trees,and brown fallen leaves.Maybe October is not just one color.It may

Just before going out,Sakura realizes that she cannot find her phone.She looks around the room,but it is nowhere to be found.So Sumire decides to call it.Then...Sumire quietly makes a cat paw.“Cat punch! 🤛”The phone was much closerthan Sakura expected.A short and playful everyday storywith Sakura and Sumire.

September is coming to an end.At the beginning of the month,it still felt like summer.But now,the evening air is cooler,and the days are getting shorter.Dragonflies, autumn clouds,susuki grass, moon viewing,and sanma.Looking back,Sakura and Sumire realizethat autumn had quietly arrived.