#46 Tsuneda Beach

 

Diary
Nick took me to the beach today!   The water looked so nice, but it was very cold outside.   Nick told me that it’s a great place to swim and hang out during the summer.  Many people come to have barbecues, as well as swim.   This beach is especially great for swimming because the water is shallow and the sand is soft.   I hope to come to the beach a lot this summer!   -Ben-

 

Vocabulary
hang out
barbecues
especially
shallow

Diary
Nick took me to the beach today!   The water looked so nice, but it was very cold outside.   Nick told me that it’s a great place to swim and hang out during the summer.  Many people come to have barbecues, as well as swim.   This beach is especially great for swimming because the water is shallow and the sand is soft.   I hope to come to the beach a lot this summer!   -Ben-

Vocabulary
hang out
barbecues
especially
shallow

 

#45 Kamate Suisen Park

Diary
Today, I visited the Kamate Suisen Park. I’ve never seen such a beautiful place in my whole life! I saw millions of daffodils along the coast. I learned that the daffodils were originally from Europe, but introduced to Kamate from China many years ago. Every year, the community plants and takes care of the flowers.  I loved visiting the park and smelling the wonderful flowers!  – Ben-

 

 

Vocabulary
coast
originally
introduced
community
smelling

 

#44 Setsubun

 

Diary
Today, I learned about Setsubun. Setsubun occurs on the day before spring and is a day to remove evil spirits from their homes. To do this, families throw soybeans outside of their homes to hurt the evil spirits. While they do this, they chant “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” which means “Oni out, happiness in!”. If they do this, they will have luck for the next year. Afterwards, the family members eat the beans, one for each year of their life. Setsubun is a very interesting holiday!  – Ben

 

Vocabulary
evil spirits
luck

 

#43 Tsuchida Beach

 

Diary
Nick took me to Tsuchida beach today!   The water looked so nice, but it was very cold outside.   Nick told me that it’s a great place to swim and hang out during the summer.  Many people come to have barbecues, as well as swim.   This beach is especially great for swimming because the water is shallow and the sand is soft.   I hope to come to the beach a lot this summer!   -Ben-

 

Vocabulary
hang out
barbecues
especially
shallow

 

 

#41 Miyake Odoi

 

Today, I learned all about the Masuda family when we visited Miyake Odoi. The Masuda family used to rule over all of Masuda. This place was a very important location in the 11th century. Masuda was known as a castle town, under the Nanao Castle. The Masuda clan was very strong, and fought many battles with other clans. I never knew there was so much history to this city! I’m looking forward to learning even more about this place.  Ben

 

Vocabulary
clan

 

 

#40 Japanese New Year’s/お正月

Today, I learned all about Japanese New Year’s. Unlike America, New Year’s is a time to relax and spend time with family. In Japan, they have many traditions for New Year’s. The Japanese have special food they only eat during this time, called osechi. They also send special postcards, called nengajo, to friends and family. They can draw seasonal drawings, write messages, or send pictures of family on the cards. Children in Japan receive money on New Years, called otoshidama. Today, I learned that New Year’s is a very important holiday in Japan.  –Ben

今日は、日本の新年はアメリカのと少し違いがあることを学びました。新年は家族と共にゆったりと過ごす時季なのです。そして、新年を迎える伝統的な御節料理や、年賀状を友達や親戚などに出したりします。又、書状や家族の写真など年賀状に入れたりします。子供達はお年玉を頂いたり、今日、日本においては大変大切な年始の日々だと云うことがが分かりました。

Vocabulary
unlike _____
_____同じでない、似ていない
seasonal
季節の、季節の

 

Osechi!

 

 

 

#39 Yabusame / 流鏑馬

Today I watched yabusame, or horseback archery.  I learned that yabusame is over 800 years old! It dates back to the Kamakura period, when Minato no Yoritomo became worried about his samurai’s archery skills.  He made them practice yabusame to improve their skills. Nowadays very few places in Japan have yabusame events. Yabusame is sometimes at special festivals or ceremonies. Many people like to watch yabusame because it’s exciting to watch the archers move quickly and gracefully.
今日は流鏑馬を見物した。流鏑馬は800年前、鎌倉時代からの行事だと云うことを知りました。　源頼朝が武士の射手の技術を向上させる為に訓練として始めたと伝えられています。今日、日本では数カ所で流鏑馬の行事が行われていますし、時たま特別な行事で行われます。多くの人がその見物に来ます。本当に乗馬射手の早い動き、優雅さに魅了、エキサイテングだ。—Ben—
Vocabulary
Kamakura period  – 鎌倉時代
worried  – 気を配る、心配する
ceremonies  – 式典、祝事
nowadays  – 今日では
gracefully  – 優雅に

The Yabusame track along Takatsu river.

 

#38 Masuda Station / 益田駅

Ben and Caroline in front of Masuda Station.

Today I learned how to buy a train ticket at Masuda station.  I can go many places from Masuda by train.  Caroline recommended the train ride from Masuda to Hagi because it is along the Sea of Japan. The San-in Line must be beautiful because it runs along the coast.  I can take many day trips from Masuda to places such as Hagi, Tsuwano and Hamada.  I’m not sure where I want to go first, but I’m looking forward to my next day trip!   –
今日は、益田駅で切符の買い方を習いました。益田駅から電車であちこちに出かけられる。キャロラインは萩に行ってはどうですかとサゼッションしてくれました。なぜなら、山陰線に沿って電車が走っており、日本海を眺めながら、美しい海岸の景色を見ながらの旅は素晴らしいからです。私もあっちこっち云って見よう、萩、津和野や浜田などに。まず、どこに行こうかな、楽しみだ。—Ben—

Vocabulary
run along – 走りに沿って
coast  – 海岸、沿岸
day trip – 明るい時の旅

Ben and Caroline looking at the map of Masuda.

 

#37 Shimanekko / シマネッコ

Shimanekko merchandise that you can buy.

Today, Caroline and I saw her favorite character, Shimanekko! Shimanekko is the mascot of all of Shimane. You can find him at many different events everywhere in Shimane! There is also a lot of Shimanekko merchandise you can buy! I got a key ring with him on it. Many people love Shimanekko. He even has his own song and dance! I want to learn how to do it someday! –
今日、キャロラインが好きなシマネッコを見ました。シマネッコは島根県のマスコット、島根県の各地での催し物や、イベントなどで見る事ができますネ。又、多くのシマネッコ商品があります。私はキイ-
ホルダ-にシマネッコが付いているものを買いました。多くの人がシマネッコが好きなんですネ。
シマネッコ自身歌ったり踊ったりもします、いつかどうしてするか知りたいものです!。
Vocabulary

merchandise – 商品

Ben and Caroline love Shimanekko!

 

#36 Masuda Omiyage/ 益田のお土産

Ben and Caroline are looking at the Masuda Omiyage.

Today I learned about the Japanese custom of giving omiyage.  When Japanese people go on trips, they usually buy omiyage to give to their friends and family at home.  Usually they are sweets that are special to the area, but sometimes people give other foods.   We don’t have such a custom in America.  I was surprised to see that most of the boxes have more than eight different sweets!   I also learned that you give them to your colleagues if you miss a day of work.  I love learning about different Japanese customs.
今日は、お土産を上げる時の日本の習慣について学びました。日本の方々は旅行などに出かける時、お土産を買って、友達や家族に上げます。一般にその土地の甘いものを買いますが、時には他の食べるものを選びます。一つの箱の中に8種類以上のものが入っているのにはびっくりしました。又、同僚や仲間や、退任、退職した時などにも上げる事の習慣を知りました。—Ben—

Phrases
such a custom
そのような(このような)習慣

Vocabulary
colleagues
同僚、仲間

Ben and Caroline are trying some omiyage that is made in Masuda!