My book tells me:
①1,300 year-old (It's really amazing they were so old!)
② hinoki cypress (in the singular)
(You should put it like "cypress trees" when you use it
as the plural. )
③earthquake-proof structure
(An earthquake-resistant is another intelligible phrase.)
-How has a wooden building survived for over 1,000 years?-
The hinoki cypress, grown only in Japan and ( 1 ), has
the characteristic of growing ever stronger for about ( 2 ) years
after being cut.
It is believed that the building has also been protected by the
hinoki's ( 3 ) which is ( 4 ).
The ( 5 ) of Horyuji-ji Temple proves that hinoki, which
in this case had lived more than 1,000 years, could last another
1,000 years after being cut.
(1)国名:
(2)何年間: You've already mentioned it in the previous message.
(3)芳香: (a )
(4)シロアリを寄せ付けない；防虫効果のある: (t - r )
(5)存続年数: (e )
I'm glad to hear that you had a very relaxing and
comfortable time Sunday night!^^
I've learned the new facts again, thanks to your questions!
Horyu-ji Temple uses more than 1000 year-old hinoki cypresses.
The five stories pagoda is known for being the oldest
earthquake preventive structure.
By swaying like a pendulum in the event of an earthquake,
it can keep the balance of the building.
Amazing!
How did people at that time know about hinoki's endurance and
even its power to strengthen itself for 200 years after cutting
down?
How did they invent the way of constructing the pagoda to survive
during earthquakes?
They might have known them as they lived together with nature.
It's really incredible that the pagoda is 1400 years old.
I just feel like seeing it before my eyes!
Thank you so much for giving me interesting questions as always.^^
Perfect!!
You're a walking dictionary of world heritage sites
of Japan.
You know every nook and corner of the sites thanks
to your commitment to them.
I had a very relaxing and comfortable time at around
22:50 last night.
It has been proven by high-definition digital photography
that Horyu-ji Temple uses ①( ) year-old
②(ヒノキ: h c ).
And the ③(五重塔: five s - p ) of Horyu-ji
Temple is known for being the oldest ④(耐震構造: e -
p s ).
Today, this structure's technique is emplyed by the
Kasumigaseki building, the first skyscraper in Japan.
The central pillar of the pagoda is hung from the roof
of its top level.
By ⑤(振り子のように揺れることで:
) in the event of an earthquake, it can
keep the balance of the building.
I'm afraid these questions are as easy as child's play for you.
Hope you enjoy working them out hands down.
Good luck!
Thanks for letting me know of your schedule.^^
Please enjoy watching the film and let me know
how it was.
I'll be waiting for you a little bit later!
Thanks again for those questions.
I enjoy learning something new each time with you!
Marco Polo called Japan "the Country of Gold" in the
book called "Toho kenbun roku".
Japan was known as a gold exporter in Kamakura period
when Marco Polo was in Central Asia and China.
I guess he thought even houses were made of gold in Japan,
as he had heard about the Golden Hall from Chinese people.
You never stop doing a great job!
Your answers leave nothing to be desired.
I'm afraid I can't make it to the ordinary session
this evening, for I'm going to see the film "Chinmoku"
whose original was written by Endo Shusaku tens of
years ago.
I'd appreciate it if I'd be allowed to be here at
twenty-one thirty or a bit later.
I think I'd be able to be back here around that time.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
-Why did ①(who: ) call Japan "the Country of Gold,
Zipangu?" -
Japan was known as a ②(金の輸出国: g e )
in the ③(when: ) period when Marco Polo was
in ④(where: ).
He must have introduced Japan as the country of gold when
he returned to Europe because he thought that in Japan
even ⑤(what: ) were made of gold.
It is said that he believed this because he had heard about
the ⑥(金色堂: G H ) of Chuson-ji temple
from Chinese people.
I can't thank you enough for giving me questions
and understandable explanations for the usage of "the".
I got it all right!^^
I've learned Japan was the biggest exporter of silver
during the Warring States period (^^) and early Edo period.
Many trade ships came to Japan and financed Hideyoshi's
Korean invasion and the Tokugawa shogunate government.
I've read about Iwami Ginzan in the book, but I haven't studied
about history in the Worring States and early Edo period yet.
So your questions really helped me learning something new~^^
Another perfect job!
You're well versed in a lot of world herritage sites.
I'm glad to hear you've had a great time getting mingled
with the participants at the party.
The reason "the Grand Shrine of Kasuga" takes "the"
is the same as "the University of Tokyo," though
"Tokyo University" doesn't take "the."
A grand shrine is a common name or 普通名詞, so
it needs "the" when you use it as a proper noun or
固有名詞.
Iwani Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape
Japan was the biggest exporter of silver in the world
during the ①(戦国時代: w s ) period and
the early Edo period. Many ②(貿易船: t s )s
from Portugal and Holland headed to Japan attracted by
Japanese silver.
Iwami Silver Mine ③(財政を支えた: f ) Toyotomi
Hideyoshi's ④(朝鮮出兵: K i ) and the Tokugawa
⑤(幕府: s g ).
All the questions must be a piece of cake for you.
Pay a little bit of attention to the spelling of 「戦国時代」though.
I've just returned home after having fun at the event.
More than ten families with their kids aged 4-5 gathered
at a house. I went there with my sister.
It was also nice to talk to many new people and ate
"Yakushima" dishes cooked by a woman who came from
the island.
Children were all so adorable too!
I'm sure you enjoyed welcoming new participants today's
English lesson.^^
Many thanks for your questions!
Oh, deer have been protected in Nara as messengers of
the Grand Shrine of Kasuga!(Should it be "the" with a shrine?)
That's why there are so many of them.
I didn't know people were sentenced to death, eventhough
they killed them by accident!
Happy deer!^^
Perfect!!
Seems like you're a walking dictionary of the
world heritage sites in Japan.
Have a great time getting involved in various
activities tomorrow.
I'm going to give a regular English class with
two new participants who'd like to take a look at
my class.
I hope they'll have a fun time learning English
together and sign up for the class after their
observation of my class.
-Why are there so many deer in Nara Park?-
It is because the deer ①(have or has) been protected
in Nara as ②(使い: m )s of the Grand Shrine of
Kasuga.
Until the Edo Period, people were ③(死罪を宣告された:
s ) to death if they killed deer even ④(故意で
なくても: b a ).
Enjoy working out the easy questions above.
Don't work too hard and take it easy.
See you later.
Thanks for your questions and answers!
It's become my daily routine to tuckle your questions
in the morning.^^
I went to see the Great Image of Buddha, the wooden
structure with a height of 14.7 meters, when I was
14 years old.
I didn't know the meaning of those statues then,
but the Emperor Shomu wanted to spread Buddhism
to save Japan from famine and epidemics by erecting
the Great Buddha. Was cool!
I'll be out all day tomorrow for doing yoga, meditation,
and listening to music created by liar (or lyre) and christal balls.
Hope you'll have a wonderful weekend too~^^
I admire your tenacious efforts to work out
the questions.
Seems like it was a bit tough this time;
①not being washed away/ ②floor panels/
③drain through/ ④fixed/ ⑤high tide (Correct!)/
⑥otherwise.
The symbol of Nara is the ①(大仏: G I )
of Buddha in Todai-ji.
It was erected by the Emperor Shomu as a part of the
national project to ②(広める: s ) Buddhism to save
Japan from many national crises such as ③(f )
and ④(疫病: e ).
The Great Buddha with a height of ⑤( ) meters,
making it the world's largest bronze image both now and
then, is sitting in a hall which is also registered in the
Guinness Book of Records as the largest ⑥(木造建築物:
w s ) in the world.
I'm sure these blanks are easy for you to fill in hands down.
Don't work too hard and enjoy making preparations for
achieving your goal.
As long as you aim high, you can reach for the stars.
Good luck!
I truely appreciate your giving me questions and answers.
I've written them down on my notebook, so that I can
remember them and also practice talking about them
in English!^^
Oh, I didn't know why Itsukushima Shrine stands on the beach
without washing away by the sea.
I'll give it a try without using my dictionary this time!
I wonder how the flooring plates stay on the foundations. Hmm...
Maybe the panels are placed on the foundations with some space
between, which allows water to dash through them.
Some of the panels are fail to nail (Beats me!)on the foundations
to reduce the water pressure at high tide, which overflow would
bush the panels from the bottom and break the floor.
You've done another splendid job!
All the questions seem to be child's play, I guess.
惨禍 is "the horror and misery" in my book.
"The ravages/ horrors/ horrendous disasters [
catastrophes/ calamities] are all right too.
爆心地 doesn't take "the": ground zero.
大量破壊兵器 is the weapon of mass destruction,
as you know it.
Q: Why does Itsukushima Shinto Shrine standing on the beach
not ①(洗い流される: w a ) by the sea?
It is because of devices used to make the ②(床板: f p )
stay on the foundations.
For example, the ②( ) are placed on the foundations with
some space in between, which allows water to ③(流れ出て行く:
d t ) them.
Also some of the ②( ) are not completely ④(打ち付けない:
f ) on the foundations to reduce the water pressure at
⑤(高潮: h t ), which ⑥(o ) would push the panels
from the bottom and break the floor.
I'm afraid ⑥ might be a tricky question, but I'm sure you can make it.
In my textbook for the tour guide test, 赤松貞範 built 姫山城
in 1346 and 秀吉 constructed 天守閣 in 1580 and the castle
was called 姫路城 since then.
20 years later(in 1600), the Himeji Castle was repaired by
池田輝政 and became the one which we can see now.
It seems things a bit differ depend on the books we refer to.
Thanks again for those questions!^^
Oh, I couldn't look up "惨禍” with h and m in my dictionary.
As you know, I visited the ground zero last year and felt
the horrible blast and shock waves by the mass destructor
at the Peace memorial Center.
We must stop using nuclear weapons forever!
It is said that the Himeji Castle was first constructed
in 1346 by 赤松貞徳(さだのり).「いざ知ろう姫路の創築」.
But today 黒田如水 is believed to have repaired and
remodeled the castle and handed it over to 秀吉 in 1577.
Then Hideyoshi remodeled and fortified the castle full-scale
in 1581.
The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall
(広島県産業振興会館) designed by a Czech architect,
with its beautiful dome, was located only 50 meters
away from ①(爆心地:g z ) of the atomic bomb.
The whole city was destroyed by the ②(爆風:h b )
and ③(衝撃波:s w )s within 30 seconds of the
explosion.
Therefore, it was a miracle that the iron frame of this
building could survive.
The building, now called the Atomic Bomb Dome, has
been preserved for future generations, forever to
④(伝える:p o ) the ⑤(惨禍:h and m ) caused
by the weapon of ⑥(大量破壊兵器:m d ) used there
for the first time in human history.
Another simple questions for you, which you might think
a dodle.
Good luck!
Thanks much for the appropriate questions for the tour guide test!
I feel it's easy to answer them, as I can use my dictionary~^^
I've learned new vocabulary and enjoyed learning new facts so far.
As for Himeji Castle, Hedeyoshi Hashiba built the castle tower in 1580.
So I wonder if it was in the Worring States period, or Azuchi Momoyama
period.
It's really nice that many cultural assets including the national treasures
in Japan still remain in Kyoto.
Oh, I didn't know the place was on the candidate site list for the atomic
bombing! That's terrible!!
I feel sorry to know that the old Imperial Palace ruined in the Onin War
about 550 years ago.
Hitono-yo-munashi....1467..ToT
You've done another great job!
A white heron is equal in meaning to "an egret."
Yes, the castle was constructed in the "Warring
States Period" and it is well-kown for its various
"devices" for defense.
My dictionary says that slaked lime and caustic lime
are the same thing.
The plaster contains a mixture of caustic lime, "glue"
made of seaweed, and "linen fiber" (=hemp fiber).
-Why are there so many cultural properties remaining in Kyoto?-
Kyoto lost many cultural properties such as temples, shrines
and even the old ①(御所:i p ) because it was the battlefield
in the Onin War about ②( ) years ago. But since then, it has not
experienced any major wars and even in the Second World War
it was not bombed seriously, though it was on the ③(候補地:c )
list for the atomic bombing. That is why a lot of ④(文化財:c
a )s including 20% of the ⑤(国宝:n t )s in Japan are now
left in Kyoto.
This must be a cinch for you.
You can work them out hands down.
Thanks again for giving me another test of one of the
world heritage, the "white heron" chastle.
I didn't know it was constructed in the Worring States period.
I'd be happy to go see its beautiful appearance, the maze-like
approach to the main castle tower, and its various device for defense.
I'll have a close look at the shiny walls as they contain ark shells.
I didn't know white castle are normally made of plaster- a mixture of
slaked lime (or caustic lime? Are they the same?), paste made of
seaweed, and hemp fiber.
Anyway, I'm now also into Japanese castles which I've never been
interested in before!^^
You've done a great job!
My handbook says that the replacing is usually done
every 30 to "40" years.
When it is done, over 100 villagers come to help with
the work and finish it in two days.
This work-sharing system is called "yui", and was used
for sharing other farm work, too.
Himeji Castle, known for its beauty and supposed
resemblance to an ①(シラサギ： ) was constructed
in the ②(戦国時代：W States period).
It is noted for the maze-like approach to the main castle
tower and its various ③(工夫: d )s for defense.
Himeji Castle has miraculously survived while many other
Japanese castles were destroyed in the Meiji period or
burned in the Second World War.
White castle walls are normally made of ④(漆喰: ) -
a mixture of ⑤(消石灰: caustic l ), ⑥(のり: ) made
of seaweed, and ⑦(麻繊維： fiber).
But for the walls of Himeji Castle they mixed ash made from
⑧(赤貝:a shells) caught in the Seto Inland Sea.
This makes the plaster walls more shiny and white.
Many thanks for the questions you gave me.
I enjoyed learning new words by looking up the answer.
I didn't know there are 114 thatched houses, as in my
text book, it says 88 houses all told in both Shirakawa-go
and Gokayama.
I like their raftered and inclined roofs very much!
I didn't know the kind of rope was made from saplings.
I've just read about Tomioka silk-thread manufacture
in Gakushu-manga and how to make silk, so I feel sorry
for silkworms which produce silk thread and then are boiled
to kill by humans.
I like the house which has pillars and beams like Tudor
house in British!
I've learned thatched roof in those places are replaced
once in 30 to 50 years by local people.
Phew! I think I've answered all of your questions!^^
Thanks again for taking time to give me a chance
to learn something new.
They would stick to my mind~!
How're you doing?
Enjoy wracking your brains in the following
reading;
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama In Shirakawa-go,
there remain 114 (茅葺屋根の：t ) houses with steep
(垂木組みされた：r ) roofs which look like a pair of
hands held together in prayer. The steep roofs, (傾斜のある：
i ) at 60 degrees from the horizontal, are constructed of
timber bound with "neso", a kind of rope made from hammered
(若木：s )s of young "mansaku" trees. The wide attics
have two levels and were used to rear (蚕：s )s to make
silk, which was the main income source of this region. It was
the smoke which came out from the fireplace on the first floor
and was absorbed by the pillars and (梁：b )s that protected
the building from humidity and insect damage.
The replacing of the thatched roof is usually done every ( ) to ( )
years. When it is done, over 100 villagers come to help with the work and
finish it in two days.
Thanks a million for what you've done for me.
It was really a seasonable thing.
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.
To be honest, I was embarrassed a lot when I was
obliged to scatter beans, shouting "Out with the devil,
in with good fortune" in my growing days.
Today I never hear people shouting that way on the
special day in February.
I think it'd be a memorable event for young kids though.
It's a pity our old and familiar tradition is disappearing
these days.
Time's been changing, so it might be nothing to feel
sorry for.
How're you doing?
I hope you've been making good progress in your
preparations for the big goal.
I'm sure you can make it because you never spare
any efforts to achieve your objectives.
I cannot admire too much your concentration and
dedication to paving the way to materializing your
long-cherished dream.
Personally, I've started giving a Japanese class to
another Filipino boy at one of the junior high schools
in the community.
Fortunately he is very eager to learn Japanese and
I find it fulfilling to share meaningful moments with
him.
I hope he can acquire communication skills in Japanese
as soon as possible so that he can adapt himself to
his daily life in Japan.
He still has a long way to go, however, when it comes to
familiarizing himself with Chinese characters and
complicated Japanese usage.
The weather forecast intimidates us by telling us
it'll snow in the Kanto district at any moment.
I don't want to be snowbound, for I have a lot
to do outdoors.
Thanks much for the Yukinko costume.
It's so cute and warm, so I can go outside wearing
this outfit to see the beautiful stars for a long time!^^
Yup! I used to clean our house in spring after learning
that American do it in May when the weather is warm.
I thought it's really a great idea, so I did it for a while
after returning in Japan.
However, I feel it's also nice to clean the whole house
before welcoming the new year.
So now I take the latter one; I enjoy cleaning and
purifying myself at this time of the year!^^
New Year's Day is Sunday in 2017.
It'll be really nice to talk to my best friend on the first day
of the year!
Let's enjoy cleaning-up before welcoming the chicken~^^
How's it going?
I hope you're fully prepared to welcome in
the new year.
I've just finished writing all the new year's
cards today and all I have to do is cleaning
some parts of our house in my charge tomorrow
and the day after tomorrow.
I've heard people in the Western countries
don't do a thorough cleaning toward the end
of a passing year because it's too cold for them
to clean the whole house.
Instead, they clean their house in spring when
it's beginning to get warm.
I think it's quite reasonable for them to clean the
whole house in spring.
It's no use complaining of our custom of doing
a general cleaning-up of my house toward the
end of the passing year, so I've got no other choice
but scrub some parts of the residence.
Enjoy yourself before you welcome in the new year
of the Chicken.
Thanks much for telling me of the two new expressions!^^
Oh, I didn't have enough time for practicing.
The saxophonist sent me the scores a couple of days ago
and they are tough pieces to play for an instant; some of them
with a quick tempo, and some need arrangements and only show chords!
I've finished pulling out all the stops this afternoon to be ready for the dry run tonight.
How're you these days?
Hope your preparations for the dry run
is going all right.
I'm sure you're now fully prepared for
the rehearsal the day after tomorrow.
I think it's quite all right to use the phrase
without "before the real thing."
While telling you about the phrase, I've
learned the expression "本番" in example
sentences; a real thing/ a real one.
It's amazing to learn that you're expanding
your repertoire of music by always trying
to do something new.
I can't help admiring your positive attitude
towards accepting a challenge.
Thanks a lot for letting me know of the useful phrase!
Is it okay to use like" I'm going to do a dry run on Sunday"
without putting 'for the real thing" like you did?
You must be enjoying the fresh smell of the tatami mats!
Wonderful~^^
What's up?
Just for your reference, I've remembered
a phrase "dry run" which is equivalent in
meaning to a rehearsal.
The phrase is used as follows:
I'm going to do [make/ conduct] a dry run
for the real think on the 25th.
Hope you'll enjoy making the dry run to your
heart's content without worrying about the
regular session.
How're things going?
How nice it is to hear from you!
It's amazing you're going to have a rehearsal
for the next concert with your partner on the
Christmas Day.
I bet your practice will go on quite all right,
celebrated by a lot of angels on the festive day.
I hope you won't overstrain yourself trying to
familiarize yourself with tough scores, which
I guess will become part of yourself as time
passes by.
I always admire your determination to partner
with different artists every time you give a concert.
That said, it must be tough for you to be on the
same wavelength as them because each artist has
a different way of giving a performance.
I'm sure you have the knack for grasping his or her
peculiar way of performing the minute you have
once played with them.
Have a great time rehearsing with your partner on
the 25th and usher in the new year full of hopes
and dreams.
We had the facing of our tatami mats recovered
yesterday and they give off a nice smell.
I'll be having a rehearsal on the 25th; coming Sunday
with the next guest who plays saxophone, guitar, bass,
and drums.
He sent me some jazz scores only yesterday, so I'll need to
have intensive practice toward the day.
The rhythm of jazz looks so hard on the scores, so maybe
I need some time before getting used to it.
The rehearsal will be starting at 17:00 and I have no idea
how long it'll last.
So sorry if I can't make it on time on that day.
New Year's Holiday, on Jan.1;
Coming-of-Age Day, on the 2nd Monday in Jan;
Natinal Foundation Day, on feb.11;
Vernal Equinox Day, on Mar.20 or 21;
Showa Day, on Apr.29;
Constitution Day, on May 3;
Greenery Day, on May 4;
Children's Day, on May 5;
See Day, on Jul.17;
Mountain Day, on Aug.11;
Respect-for-the-aged Day, on the 3rd Monday in Sep.;
Autumnal Equinox Day, on Sep.23 or 24;
Sports Day, on the 2nd Monday in Oct.;
Culture Day, on Nov.3;
Labor Thanksgiving Day, on Nov.23;
and the Emperor's Birthday, on Dec.23.
I'm glad you've made a wise and final decision to
consult Dr. Mizutani about your physical problem.
As you've just said, we can't be too careful about
our health.
Anyway I was relieved to hear that you didn't have
to have a surgery in the end.
I wonder what is happening to M. Clinic, though.
At first I thought it incredible that more than 90%
of people suffer from the tongue problem.
What he says might be partially true, but the figure
seems to be an exaggeration, doesn't it?
I'd like to believe in Dr. Mizutani.
Again, I admire your wise decision.
Thanks a lot for your message and concerning about me.^^
Sorry I couldn't get back at two hundred, as my son
was watching a DVD on my computer.
I was so relieved to hear that I don't have tongue adhesion,
thus I didn't need to have a surgery.
I'd thought Dr.Mizutani would say I had one, so I was kind of
discouraged and relieved to hear I didn't.
He also said this surgery only costs 2000yen using the health
insurance, so it's incredible that it costs 150,000 yen without
insurance at Mukai Clinic.
Mukai Clinic seems to be famous for this surgery; Dr. Mukai
has been doing it for about 30 years for anyone.
However, Dr.Mizutani said that it's really ridiculous that
more than 90% of the people have this symptom.
He didn't believe it.
Maybe the booklet was made to encourage people having
this surgery so that Dr.Mukai gets lots of money.
Dr.Mizutani has nice personalities; down-to-earth, sincere,
and knowledgeable.
I thought it's really important to hear the second opinion!
It's always nice to hear from you.
I can imagine you having had a great time
sharing happy moments with your friends,
strolling, BBQing, chatting, and viewing beautiful
autumn scenery at Showa Memorial Park.
It must have been really nice walking on the
carpet of fallen ginkgo leaves of brilliant yellow
color.
Our nearby streets are lined with indescribably
beautiful ginkgo leaves on either side of it.
I have once seen brilliantly shining yellow ginkgo
leaves at the same park in November too.
The leaves at that time are still shining vividly
in my memory.
It was amazing to have such a heavy snowfall in
November for the first time in 54 years.
I was snowbound at home, enjoying reading a book
and making preparations for my classes thanks to
the unexpected snowfall.
How have you been?
How was your Labor Thanksgiving Day?
As for me, we went to have a BBQ at Showa Memorial Park
yesterday.
Most of the yellow leaves of ginkgo were gone, but
we saw beautiful yellow carpets here and there.
Red, orange leaves of maple trees and others were still
beautiful, and various big dahlia flowers and groups of
Japanese pampas grass welcomed us.
I couldn't help remembering the day I spent time together
with my best friend!
20 of us enjoyed chatting, eating, drinking, and laughing
at the BBQ site.
I enjoyed the day so much!
It's snowing! Today's going to be cold.
Keep warm and take care!^^
How did your concert go?
I hope it worked out as smoothly as you had expected.
I'm sure you're becoming more and more confident in
expressing yourself through instrumental performances
and singing.
I went to the concert "The Vivaldi Variations" by Tokyo
Chamber Orchestra this evening, in which one of my
students' son played the contrabass.
Every time I listen to good music, I realize music has
power to directly appeal to our heart.
I hope you take a good rest and rejuvenate yourself
for your new activities.
How have you been?
Did you enjoy the concert one of your students' son
took part in? Was it yesterday?
Thanks much for your warmhearted message.
I've just finished the last practice for the concert tomorrow.
As usual, I'm restless at this time.
I'm now worried a bit about carrying each instruments
while raining outside, as the weather forecast said
it would rain tomorrow.
There'll be so many heavy drums and accompanying stuff
need to be moved to the hall from the car.
I've given up taking my sitar with me, as I couldn't buy
a waterproof sitar case. Now they are out of order in Japan.
Anyway, I'll enjoy the performance on the stage!
Thanks as always~^^
Thanks a bunch for your messages.
I'm gald to hear you've gotten such a high score
on the TOEIC test that you don't need to take
another written test on the tour guide test.
Taking only the written test about Japanese culture
and the oral interview test'll save you a lot of
time to fulfill your desire.
As far as I'm concerned, I've learned a lot about
things Japanese by memorizing how we should
put our typically Japanese things into Engoish.
And the knowledge helped me a lot explain our
Japanese style of life to a number of exchange
students during their stay with us.
You'll be required to explain an aspect of Japanese
culture in English in the oral interview test, so
I hope you'll be fully prepared to answer any
relevant questions.
I've been making preparations for the upcoming
lifelong English course in our city which will be held
in February in this academic year.
I'll focus on verbs which will help us expand our
expressions in our daily communication.
I wasn't supposed to, but I enjoyed tackling some questions
in the collection of problems book yesterday.
It was interesting to learn how we should translate
Japanese words into English!
I also checked what the whole test if like.
I found I don't need to take both STEP test and the English
test for tour guide, as I have enough score on TOEIC test.
I only need to take the speaking test or the writing test
of TOEIC; I'm wondering which test I should take.
Anyway, I'm glad it doesn't sound so tough!
I received the books and the tapes this morning!
Thanks much for your quick action.
You sent them before I asked you.^^
I still don't know what the whole test is like; there're
also questions for Japanese history and geography in
Japanese, right?
The young lady who sat next to me at the energy work
also said that the book, 日本的事象３００選, was a good one.
It may be published long time ago, but it must be still read
by many applicants.
I haven't decided yet whether I should take the 1st grade test
of STEP, or the English test for the tour guide certificate, but
I'll use your books anyway to keep brushing up my English!
What you think is what I think.
The tapes must help me repeating what I want to learn
more easily than CDs.
I really appreciate your kindness.
I'll start working on it after the Nov. concert!
P.S.
Your hand-writing letter and the Australian wildlife stamps
were lovely too~^^
I'm glad to hear you've got a cassette player.
I oftentimes feel a cassette player is more
convenient than a CD player particularly when
it comes to using a repeating function.
A CD player doesn't answer our exact purpose
when we'd like to listen again to what we've
missed grasping a recorded message.
I believe a cassette tape will serve our purpose
a lot more than a CD player when we use it
for our studies.
I cannot help thinking a CD player leaves a lot
to be desired in that sense.
Well, I guess you'll receive one of these days
what I sent you today.
I hope the tapes and books will help you fulfill
your dream.
I found a cassette player in storage space above a closet!
You know what?
I went to do energy work yesterday, and the lady next to me
happened to be an interpreter.
She also took the tour guide certificate and said
日本的事象３００選 was a good one.
I'd be happy if you'd let me use your cassette book!
I wonder if we have time to get together within this year.
Or could you send it to me with the charge for the percel
being paid on delivery?
I appreciate your kind offer.^^
It's getting cooler each day.
Keep warm and stay fit as always~
from taking an English exam as part of the
qualification test, which is the most difficult
part of all the preparations you'll have to make
to be an successful applicant.
Personally, I remember memorizing a lot of
English definitions and descriptions of different
aspects of Japanese culture.
I guess studying English for a general purpose
would be easier than focusing on a specific English
to explain our culture, history and way of life to
people from overseas.
From my experience, however, I think it'd be interesting,
challenging and even rewarding to learn to introduce
things Japanese in English.
Since you are proficient enough to express yourself
properly in English, I'm certain you can make it no matter
which choice you make.
I really had a great time talking with my former student
in a quiet Japanese-style luxury restaurant.
Even though I was not in charge of his class, he told me
he liked my way of teaching English and my philosophy
of life.
Thanks a bunch for your quick response.
I'm glad to hear you're now back to normalcy
after the climb the divine mountain.
You're young enough to be resilient even when
you're tired out thanks to your physical training
on a regular basis.
Well, concerning the grueling and even excruciating
exam, I'm pessimistic about the result of it.
To be candid with you, I'm satisfied with what I did
to make myself prepared for the test in defiance of
my declining memory.
I'm glad I learned a lot about teaching methodologies
while studying for the qualification test.
I'm sure it'll help me teach English to my students.
I admire your determination to take a tour guide test.
It's another tough exam for which you must make
a thorough preparation.
I'm sure it's worth your efforts because you can learn
a lot about our own country.
Some of my successful students told me that passing
the STEP 1st grade test would be a shortcut to your
goal because it'll exempt you
Thanks much for telling me about how you've been doing.
It's really like you ; you enjoy keeping busy pace of life
without vegging out.
In my case, when each concert is over, I just want to
change my pace as I kind of get tired of doing the same things
time and again.
So I thought you might not want to use your brain for a while
after the exam, but it didn't seem to be your case.^^
Oh, I got lots of power from Mt. Mizugaki, so I didn't need to
rest at all.
I keep walking a lot everyday and practice power yoga too.
Just got muscular pains on my legs two days after the
mountaineering; not the next day! ^^;
Now pains are gone and my body got back to normal again.
When will you get the result of the exam?
I'm thinking of taking the certificate of a tour guide, so
I'd be happy if you'd tell me how I should study for the test.
Enjoy the get-together with your ex-student today!
Thanks awfully for your encouraging words.
To be honest, I enjoyed practicing table tennis
on the following Monday and Tuesday after the
exam and went to the library immediately after
the practice so that I could make some preparations
for my Engish classes.
I'm afraid I wasn't in a good physical condition after
the test probably because of a sudden change of season,
but I'm quite all right now.
I know I should take a breather after the grueling test
but I feel tempted to make myself busy rather than lead
a leisurely pace of life.
I'm sure I was born to be frugal with a tendency to be
frugal.
I don't mind that, because this tendency makes me feel
positive about my way of life.
I guess you must have been tired out from climbing one
of the most famous mountains the other day.
I hope you'll recover from your fatigue as soon as possible.
I'm going to see one of my former students on Friday this
week, because he has some business to do around here.
Thanks much for telling me about the test.
Whoa! It took so long? You must have been really bushed!
In a way, it was good that I couldn't show up on Sunday
so that you were able to rest without using your brain.
I guess you needed to prepare for the evening class yesterday
and conducted it last night.
Thanks again for writing me, even though you still needed
some rest.
You must have a good rest today.
Enjoy the relaxing time~^^
Thanks much for giving a detailed account of your
climb to Mt. Mizugaki.
Thanks to your description of your visit to the place,
I was able to have a vivid picture of what you saw
and felt there.
The mountain must be worth climbing because it is
designated as one of the 100 famous mountains in
Japan.
I've never heard of the mountain before, though.
Thanks a lot for letting me know about the noted
craggy mountain.
It was a long and arduous day yesterday.
I left home at 7:20 and came home at 19:00.
The exam ended at 16:40 at long last.
The first part of the exam in the morning was
not so tough and I felt my efforts paid off.
The second part of it was a listening
comprehension test in which we were required
to tell a minute and subtle difference in the way
foreign students studyiing Japanese pronounce our
language.
This is a 30-minute grueling test which forced
us to concentrate on each sound they make.
The third part was another two-hour torture.
How are you doing?
You must be really relieved that the exam was over.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day!^^
As for me, I went to Mt. Mizugai, one of the best 100 mountains
in Japan with "a mountain circle" firends.
The weather was really gorgeous.
It was so beautiful to see changing color of leaves with very
blue sky.
There were lots of huge stones and rocks; it was also fun to
climb those rocks and I was astonished to see I've-never-seen
such gigantic crags. Were breath taking!
The view from the top of the mountain was out of this world.
We could see 360 degrees including mysterious Mt. Fuji
surrounded by white clouds!
After coming down the mountain, we dropped by at Masutomi
radium hot springs.
I remembered you often and every time, I wished you good luck.
Hope your day was as good as my day!
I'm all ears.^^
Tomorrow's coming at last!
You must have reviewed what you'd memorised time and again.
Take a good rest tonight, and try to see lots of greenery
on the way to the venue of the test.
Green color is said to be good for your eyes and rejuvenate you
and enhance your memory.
You'll be sure to concentrate on the test!
I'll be going to Mt.Mizugaki in Yamanashi prefecture tomorrow.
I'll think of you while climbing the rocky mountain, sending you
lots of energy of the place.
Best of luck!
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day.
Sorry, if I'm not ready by the appointed time in case of
returning home late.
Thanks a lot for giving me an account of the rehearsal.
It must have been a demanding job to have every
instrument ready on the stage for the performance.
I'm sure the rehearsal will shed a new and different light
on the last program.
It's incredible I've got only one week before I have the
big day.
I still have a lot more preparations to make but the time
is limited, so I think it's wise to completely memorize what
I've learned so far instead of learning new items.
Thanks for telling me how you are doing.^^
It's realy like you that you keep doing what you should
do each day on your own pace without stopping.
I'm really proud of you, and am always behind you!
We had a rehearsal yesterday and saw what the whole
program in the next concert would be like.
There were lots of suggestions going on and we changed
some program for better performance.
We got together at Okurayama Hall from 13:00 to 17:00,
but it was quite short to go through the whole program.
Especially because we needed to carry various drums
back and forth(you know the place; there's no elevator
nor escalator but lots of stairs!)
It took us an hour and a half to be ready for the performance
and for leaving the hall after finishing the rehearsal.
And I didn't know those instruments and equipments were
so heavy!
Anyway, I enjoyed the day including the new experience.
Long time no see.
Hope you've been having a fulfilling and enjoyable
time in your daily life.
I've been leading a monotonous life cooping up myself
in the community library all day long.
I've got a sea of items to memorize day after day to
make myself prepared for the exam.
I should realize that time is limited and I must feel
satisfied with what little progress I'm making on a daily
basis.
I'm glad to feel I'm learning something new every day,
though, which motivates me to go on day in and day out.
How're things going?
Thanks a million for letting your aficionado know
about SESS.
I really do hope she'll join us too.
Seems like you're expanding your sphere of life
thanks to your constant efforts to give a series of
fascinating concerts.
I participated in a preparatory session for the upcoming
English class targeting local inhabitants in Iruma city.
The class will be held in February next year and I'm planning
to focus on the usage of verbs this time.
I was invited to one of my audience's house yesterday.
She was a total stranger before the concert, but
we talked a lot after the concert.
She's also interested in studing English.
So I told her about SESS and she might join us!
Hope she'll come to this town soon~^^
Thanks much for telling me about what you are doing
and what you are thinking now.
I think what you said is right.
What important now is to try your utmost on each day
toward the test.
It must be really hard to memorise such an extensive sphere
of the test.
Please pull out all the stops!
With you good luck~^^
How're you doing?
I've been leading my daily routine life quite
as usual, confining myself to the community library
so that I can digest as much as what I'll be supposed
to tackle in the upcoming grueling test.
The scope of the test is so extensive that I easily forget
what I've learned before.
I sometimes feel as if I were knocking down "tsumiki"
blocks which I've so far constructed.
I know I should move on in spite of the harsh present
time I'm in now, because I believe in trying my utmost
instead of giving in to my demanding situation.
Now I've found your blog here all right.
Thanks a bunch for your vivid description about
your trip to the place with her.
I can imagine how much you enjoyed yourself
visiting different places with her while talking to
each other.
I returned home safe and sound last night.^^
I really enjoyed bathing, and going around the area with Emily.
We bathed in hot springs twice a day, and took a train, a cable car,
a ropeway, and a pirate ship to visit Owakudani, Hakone shrine,
Hakone Sekisho, Narukawa musium, and Amajyake Chaya.
Although the weather wasn't very nice and we couldn't see Mt. Fuji
and starry sky at all, it stoped raining when we were walking outside!
We have very similar characters and the way of thinking, so it was easy
to understand each other, and we couldn't stop talking all day.
She said that she wants to visit the place again!
I got lots of energy by visitng the place, feeling the nature power,
and chatting and laughing a lot with a hilarious girl!
Wished you had been with us too~
You must keep studying hard toward the test in Oct.
I wish you good luck and keep sending some energy to you!
My book tells me:
①1,300 year-old (It's really amazing they were so old!)
② hinoki cypress (in the singular)
(You should put it like "cypress trees" when you use it
as the plural. )
③earthquake-proof structure
(An earthquake-resistant is another intelligible phrase.)
-How has a wooden building survived for over 1,000 years?-
The hinoki cypress, grown only in Japan and ( 1 ), has
the characteristic of growing ever stronger for about ( 2 ) years
after being cut.
It is believed that the building has also been protected by the
hinoki's ( 3 ) which is ( 4 ).
The ( 5 ) of Horyuji-ji Temple proves that hinoki, which
in this case had lived more than 1,000 years, could last another
1,000 years after being cut.
(1)国名:
(2)何年間: You've already mentioned it in the previous message.
(3)芳香: (a )
(4)シロアリを寄せ付けない；防虫効果のある: (t - r )
(5)存続年数: (e )
Good luck.
Don't work too hard.
I'm glad to hear that you had a very relaxing and
comfortable time Sunday night!^^
I've learned the new facts again, thanks to your questions!
Horyu-ji Temple uses more than 1000 year-old hinoki cypresses.
The five stories pagoda is known for being the oldest
earthquake preventive structure.
By swaying like a pendulum in the event of an earthquake,
it can keep the balance of the building.
Amazing!
How did people at that time know about hinoki's endurance and
even its power to strengthen itself for 200 years after cutting
down?
How did they invent the way of constructing the pagoda to survive
during earthquakes?
They might have known them as they lived together with nature.
It's really incredible that the pagoda is 1400 years old.
I just feel like seeing it before my eyes!
Thank you so much for giving me interesting questions as always.^^
Perfect!!
You're a walking dictionary of world heritage sites
of Japan.
You know every nook and corner of the sites thanks
to your commitment to them.
I had a very relaxing and comfortable time at around
22:50 last night.
It has been proven by high-definition digital photography
that Horyu-ji Temple uses ①( ) year-old
②(ヒノキ: h c ).
And the ③(五重塔: five s - p ) of Horyu-ji
Temple is known for being the oldest ④(耐震構造: e -
p s ).
Today, this structure's technique is emplyed by the
Kasumigaseki building, the first skyscraper in Japan.
The central pillar of the pagoda is hung from the roof
of its top level.
By ⑤(振り子のように揺れることで:
) in the event of an earthquake, it can
keep the balance of the building.
I'm afraid these questions are as easy as child's play for you.
Hope you enjoy working them out hands down.
Good luck!
Thanks for letting me know of your schedule.^^
Please enjoy watching the film and let me know
how it was.
I'll be waiting for you a little bit later!
Thanks again for those questions.
I enjoy learning something new each time with you!
Marco Polo called Japan "the Country of Gold" in the
book called "Toho kenbun roku".
Japan was known as a gold exporter in Kamakura period
when Marco Polo was in Central Asia and China.
I guess he thought even houses were made of gold in Japan,
as he had heard about the Golden Hall from Chinese people.
You never stop doing a great job!
Your answers leave nothing to be desired.
I'm afraid I can't make it to the ordinary session
this evening, for I'm going to see the film "Chinmoku"
whose original was written by Endo Shusaku tens of
years ago.
I'd appreciate it if I'd be allowed to be here at
twenty-one thirty or a bit later.
I think I'd be able to be back here around that time.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
-Why did ①(who: ) call Japan "the Country of Gold,
Zipangu?" -
Japan was known as a ②(金の輸出国: g e )
in the ③(when: ) period when Marco Polo was
in ④(where: ).
He must have introduced Japan as the country of gold when
he returned to Europe because he thought that in Japan
even ⑤(what: ) were made of gold.
It is said that he believed this because he had heard about
the ⑥(金色堂: G H ) of Chuson-ji temple
from Chinese people.
Good luck!
I can't thank you enough for giving me questions
and understandable explanations for the usage of "the".
I got it all right!^^
I've learned Japan was the biggest exporter of silver
during the Warring States period (^^) and early Edo period.
Many trade ships came to Japan and financed Hideyoshi's
Korean invasion and the Tokugawa shogunate government.
I've read about Iwami Ginzan in the book, but I haven't studied
about history in the Worring States and early Edo period yet.
So your questions really helped me learning something new~^^
See you later!
Another perfect job!
You're well versed in a lot of world herritage sites.
I'm glad to hear you've had a great time getting mingled
with the participants at the party.
The reason "the Grand Shrine of Kasuga" takes "the"
is the same as "the University of Tokyo," though
"Tokyo University" doesn't take "the."
A grand shrine is a common name or 普通名詞, so
it needs "the" when you use it as a proper noun or
固有名詞.
Iwani Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape
Japan was the biggest exporter of silver in the world
during the ①(戦国時代: w s ) period and
the early Edo period. Many ②(貿易船: t s )s
from Portugal and Holland headed to Japan attracted by
Japanese silver.
Iwami Silver Mine ③(財政を支えた: f ) Toyotomi
Hideyoshi's ④(朝鮮出兵: K i ) and the Tokugawa
⑤(幕府: s g ).
All the questions must be a piece of cake for you.
Pay a little bit of attention to the spelling of 「戦国時代」though.
I've just returned home after having fun at the event.
More than ten families with their kids aged 4-5 gathered
at a house. I went there with my sister.
It was also nice to talk to many new people and ate
"Yakushima" dishes cooked by a woman who came from
the island.
Children were all so adorable too!
I'm sure you enjoyed welcoming new participants today's
English lesson.^^
Many thanks for your questions!
Oh, deer have been protected in Nara as messengers of
the Grand Shrine of Kasuga!(Should it be "the" with a shrine?)
That's why there are so many of them.
I didn't know people were sentenced to death, eventhough
they killed them by accident!
Happy deer!^^
Perfect!!
Seems like you're a walking dictionary of the
world heritage sites in Japan.
Have a great time getting involved in various
activities tomorrow.
I'm going to give a regular English class with
two new participants who'd like to take a look at
my class.
I hope they'll have a fun time learning English
together and sign up for the class after their
observation of my class.
-Why are there so many deer in Nara Park?-
It is because the deer ①(have or has) been protected
in Nara as ②(使い: m )s of the Grand Shrine of
Kasuga.
Until the Edo Period, people were ③(死罪を宣告された:
s ) to death if they killed deer even ④(故意で
なくても: b a ).
Enjoy working out the easy questions above.
Don't work too hard and take it easy.
See you later.
Thanks for your questions and answers!
It's become my daily routine to tuckle your questions
in the morning.^^
I went to see the Great Image of Buddha, the wooden
structure with a height of 14.7 meters, when I was
14 years old.
I didn't know the meaning of those statues then,
but the Emperor Shomu wanted to spread Buddhism
to save Japan from famine and epidemics by erecting
the Great Buddha. Was cool!
I'll be out all day tomorrow for doing yoga, meditation,
and listening to music created by liar (or lyre) and christal balls.
Hope you'll have a wonderful weekend too~^^
I admire your tenacious efforts to work out
the questions.
Seems like it was a bit tough this time;
①not being washed away/ ②floor panels/
③drain through/ ④fixed/ ⑤high tide (Correct!)/
⑥otherwise.
The symbol of Nara is the ①(大仏: G I )
of Buddha in Todai-ji.
It was erected by the Emperor Shomu as a part of the
national project to ②(広める: s ) Buddhism to save
Japan from many national crises such as ③(f )
and ④(疫病: e ).
The Great Buddha with a height of ⑤( ) meters,
making it the world's largest bronze image both now and
then, is sitting in a hall which is also registered in the
Guinness Book of Records as the largest ⑥(木造建築物:
w s ) in the world.
I'm sure these blanks are easy for you to fill in hands down.
Don't work too hard and enjoy making preparations for
achieving your goal.
As long as you aim high, you can reach for the stars.
Good luck!
I truely appreciate your giving me questions and answers.
I've written them down on my notebook, so that I can
remember them and also practice talking about them
in English!^^
Oh, I didn't know why Itsukushima Shrine stands on the beach
without washing away by the sea.
I'll give it a try without using my dictionary this time!
I wonder how the flooring plates stay on the foundations. Hmm...
Maybe the panels are placed on the foundations with some space
between, which allows water to dash through them.
Some of the panels are fail to nail (Beats me!)on the foundations
to reduce the water pressure at high tide, which overflow would
bush the panels from the bottom and break the floor.
I hope they would make sense!
You've done another splendid job!
All the questions seem to be child's play, I guess.
惨禍 is "the horror and misery" in my book.
"The ravages/ horrors/ horrendous disasters [
catastrophes/ calamities] are all right too.
爆心地 doesn't take "the": ground zero.
大量破壊兵器 is the weapon of mass destruction,
as you know it.
Q: Why does Itsukushima Shinto Shrine standing on the beach
not ①(洗い流される: w a ) by the sea?
It is because of devices used to make the ②(床板: f p )
stay on the foundations.
For example, the ②( ) are placed on the foundations with
some space in between, which allows water to ③(流れ出て行く:
d t ) them.
Also some of the ②( ) are not completely ④(打ち付けない:
f ) on the foundations to reduce the water pressure at
⑤(高潮: h t ), which ⑥(o ) would push the panels
from the bottom and break the floor.
I'm afraid ⑥ might be a tricky question, but I'm sure you can make it.
In my textbook for the tour guide test, 赤松貞範 built 姫山城
in 1346 and 秀吉 constructed 天守閣 in 1580 and the castle
was called 姫路城 since then.
20 years later(in 1600), the Himeji Castle was repaired by
池田輝政 and became the one which we can see now.
It seems things a bit differ depend on the books we refer to.
Thanks again for those questions!^^
Oh, I couldn't look up "惨禍” with h and m in my dictionary.
As you know, I visited the ground zero last year and felt
the horrible blast and shock waves by the mass destructor
at the Peace memorial Center.
We must stop using nuclear weapons forever!
It is said that the Himeji Castle was first constructed
in 1346 by 赤松貞徳(さだのり).「いざ知ろう姫路の創築」.
But today 黒田如水 is believed to have repaired and
remodeled the castle and handed it over to 秀吉 in 1577.
Then Hideyoshi remodeled and fortified the castle full-scale
in 1581.
The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall
(広島県産業振興会館) designed by a Czech architect,
with its beautiful dome, was located only 50 meters
away from ①(爆心地:g z ) of the atomic bomb.
The whole city was destroyed by the ②(爆風:h b )
and ③(衝撃波:s w )s within 30 seconds of the
explosion.
Therefore, it was a miracle that the iron frame of this
building could survive.
The building, now called the Atomic Bomb Dome, has
been preserved for future generations, forever to
④(伝える:p o ) the ⑤(惨禍:h and m ) caused
by the weapon of ⑥(大量破壊兵器:m d ) used there
for the first time in human history.
Another simple questions for you, which you might think
a dodle.
Good luck!
Thanks much for the appropriate questions for the tour guide test!
I feel it's easy to answer them, as I can use my dictionary~^^
I've learned new vocabulary and enjoyed learning new facts so far.
As for Himeji Castle, Hedeyoshi Hashiba built the castle tower in 1580.
So I wonder if it was in the Worring States period, or Azuchi Momoyama
period.
It's really nice that many cultural assets including the national treasures
in Japan still remain in Kyoto.
Oh, I didn't know the place was on the candidate site list for the atomic
bombing! That's terrible!!
I feel sorry to know that the old Imperial Palace ruined in the Onin War
about 550 years ago.
Hitono-yo-munashi....1467..ToT
You've done another great job!
A white heron is equal in meaning to "an egret."
Yes, the castle was constructed in the "Warring
States Period" and it is well-kown for its various
"devices" for defense.
My dictionary says that slaked lime and caustic lime
are the same thing.
The plaster contains a mixture of caustic lime, "glue"
made of seaweed, and "linen fiber" (=hemp fiber).
-Why are there so many cultural properties remaining in Kyoto?-
Kyoto lost many cultural properties such as temples, shrines
and even the old ①(御所:i p ) because it was the battlefield
in the Onin War about ②( ) years ago. But since then, it has not
experienced any major wars and even in the Second World War
it was not bombed seriously, though it was on the ③(候補地:c )
list for the atomic bombing. That is why a lot of ④(文化財:c
a )s including 20% of the ⑤(国宝:n t )s in Japan are now
left in Kyoto.
This must be a cinch for you.
You can work them out hands down.
Thanks again for giving me another test of one of the
world heritage, the "white heron" chastle.
I didn't know it was constructed in the Worring States period.
I'd be happy to go see its beautiful appearance, the maze-like
approach to the main castle tower, and its various device for defense.
I'll have a close look at the shiny walls as they contain ark shells.
I didn't know white castle are normally made of plaster- a mixture of
slaked lime (or caustic lime? Are they the same?), paste made of
seaweed, and hemp fiber.
Anyway, I'm now also into Japanese castles which I've never been
interested in before!^^
You've done a great job!
My handbook says that the replacing is usually done
every 30 to "40" years.
When it is done, over 100 villagers come to help with
the work and finish it in two days.
This work-sharing system is called "yui", and was used
for sharing other farm work, too.
Himeji Castle, known for its beauty and supposed
resemblance to an ①(シラサギ： ) was constructed
in the ②(戦国時代：W States period).
It is noted for the maze-like approach to the main castle
tower and its various ③(工夫: d )s for defense.
Himeji Castle has miraculously survived while many other
Japanese castles were destroyed in the Meiji period or
burned in the Second World War.
White castle walls are normally made of ④(漆喰: ) -
a mixture of ⑤(消石灰: caustic l ), ⑥(のり: ) made
of seaweed, and ⑦(麻繊維： fiber).
But for the walls of Himeji Castle they mixed ash made from
⑧(赤貝:a shells) caught in the Seto Inland Sea.
This makes the plaster walls more shiny and white.
Many thanks for the questions you gave me.
I enjoyed learning new words by looking up the answer.
I didn't know there are 114 thatched houses, as in my
text book, it says 88 houses all told in both Shirakawa-go
and Gokayama.
I like their raftered and inclined roofs very much!
I didn't know the kind of rope was made from saplings.
I've just read about Tomioka silk-thread manufacture
in Gakushu-manga and how to make silk, so I feel sorry
for silkworms which produce silk thread and then are boiled
to kill by humans.
I like the house which has pillars and beams like Tudor
house in British!
I've learned thatched roof in those places are replaced
once in 30 to 50 years by local people.
Phew! I think I've answered all of your questions!^^
Thanks again for taking time to give me a chance
to learn something new.
They would stick to my mind~!
How're you doing?
Enjoy wracking your brains in the following
reading;
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama In Shirakawa-go,
there remain 114 (茅葺屋根の：t ) houses with steep
(垂木組みされた：r ) roofs which look like a pair of
hands held together in prayer. The steep roofs, (傾斜のある：
i ) at 60 degrees from the horizontal, are constructed of
timber bound with "neso", a kind of rope made from hammered
(若木：s )s of young "mansaku" trees. The wide attics
have two levels and were used to rear (蚕：s )s to make
silk, which was the main income source of this region. It was
the smoke which came out from the fireplace on the first floor
and was absorbed by the pillars and (梁：b )s that protected
the building from humidity and insect damage.
The replacing of the thatched roof is usually done every ( ) to ( )
years. When it is done, over 100 villagers come to help with the work and
finish it in two days.
Thanks a million for what you've done for me.
It was really a seasonable thing.
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.
To be honest, I was embarrassed a lot when I was
obliged to scatter beans, shouting "Out with the devil,
in with good fortune" in my growing days.
Today I never hear people shouting that way on the
special day in February.
I think it'd be a memorable event for young kids though.
It's a pity our old and familiar tradition is disappearing
these days.
Time's been changing, so it might be nothing to feel
sorry for.
How're you doing?
I hope you've been making good progress in your
preparations for the big goal.
I'm sure you can make it because you never spare
any efforts to achieve your objectives.
I cannot admire too much your concentration and
dedication to paving the way to materializing your
long-cherished dream.
Personally, I've started giving a Japanese class to
another Filipino boy at one of the junior high schools
in the community.
Fortunately he is very eager to learn Japanese and
I find it fulfilling to share meaningful moments with
him.
I hope he can acquire communication skills in Japanese
as soon as possible so that he can adapt himself to
his daily life in Japan.
He still has a long way to go, however, when it comes to
familiarizing himself with Chinese characters and
complicated Japanese usage.
The weather forecast intimidates us by telling us
it'll snow in the Kanto district at any moment.
I don't want to be snowbound, for I have a lot
to do outdoors.
I wish you the very best in the new year of
the Chicken.
Thanks much for the Yukinko costume.
It's so cute and warm, so I can go outside wearing
this outfit to see the beautiful stars for a long time!^^
Yup! I used to clean our house in spring after learning
that American do it in May when the weather is warm.
I thought it's really a great idea, so I did it for a while
after returning in Japan.
However, I feel it's also nice to clean the whole house
before welcoming the new year.
So now I take the latter one; I enjoy cleaning and
purifying myself at this time of the year!^^
New Year's Day is Sunday in 2017.
It'll be really nice to talk to my best friend on the first day
of the year!
Let's enjoy cleaning-up before welcoming the chicken~^^
How's it going?
I hope you're fully prepared to welcome in
the new year.
I've just finished writing all the new year's
cards today and all I have to do is cleaning
some parts of our house in my charge tomorrow
and the day after tomorrow.
I've heard people in the Western countries
don't do a thorough cleaning toward the end
of a passing year because it's too cold for them
to clean the whole house.
Instead, they clean their house in spring when
it's beginning to get warm.
I think it's quite reasonable for them to clean the
whole house in spring.
It's no use complaining of our custom of doing
a general cleaning-up of my house toward the
end of the passing year, so I've got no other choice
but scrub some parts of the residence.
Enjoy yourself before you welcome in the new year
of the Chicken.
Thanks much for telling me of the two new expressions!^^
Oh, I didn't have enough time for practicing.
The saxophonist sent me the scores a couple of days ago
and they are tough pieces to play for an instant; some of them
with a quick tempo, and some need arrangements and only show chords!
I've finished pulling out all the stops this afternoon to be ready for the dry run tonight.
How're you these days?
Hope your preparations for the dry run
is going all right.
I'm sure you're now fully prepared for
the rehearsal the day after tomorrow.
I think it's quite all right to use the phrase
without "before the real thing."
While telling you about the phrase, I've
learned the expression "本番" in example
sentences; a real thing/ a real one.
It's amazing to learn that you're expanding
your repertoire of music by always trying
to do something new.
I can't help admiring your positive attitude
towards accepting a challenge.
Thanks a lot for letting me know of the useful phrase!
Is it okay to use like" I'm going to do a dry run on Sunday"
without putting 'for the real thing" like you did?
You must be enjoying the fresh smell of the tatami mats!
Wonderful~^^
What's up?
Just for your reference, I've remembered
a phrase "dry run" which is equivalent in
meaning to a rehearsal.
The phrase is used as follows:
I'm going to do [make/ conduct] a dry run
for the real think on the 25th.
Hope you'll enjoy making the dry run to your
heart's content without worrying about the
regular session.
How're things going?
How nice it is to hear from you!
It's amazing you're going to have a rehearsal
for the next concert with your partner on the
Christmas Day.
I bet your practice will go on quite all right,
celebrated by a lot of angels on the festive day.
I hope you won't overstrain yourself trying to
familiarize yourself with tough scores, which
I guess will become part of yourself as time
passes by.
I always admire your determination to partner
with different artists every time you give a concert.
That said, it must be tough for you to be on the
same wavelength as them because each artist has
a different way of giving a performance.
I'm sure you have the knack for grasping his or her
peculiar way of performing the minute you have
once played with them.
Have a great time rehearsing with your partner on
the 25th and usher in the new year full of hopes
and dreams.
We had the facing of our tatami mats recovered
yesterday and they give off a nice smell.
I'll be having a rehearsal on the 25th; coming Sunday
with the next guest who plays saxophone, guitar, bass,
and drums.
He sent me some jazz scores only yesterday, so I'll need to
have intensive practice toward the day.
The rhythm of jazz looks so hard on the scores, so maybe
I need some time before getting used to it.
The rehearsal will be starting at 17:00 and I have no idea
how long it'll last.
So sorry if I can't make it on time on that day.
Japan observes 16 national holidays:
New Year's Holiday, on Jan.1;
Coming-of-Age Day, on the 2nd Monday in Jan;
Natinal Foundation Day, on feb.11;
Vernal Equinox Day, on Mar.20 or 21;
Showa Day, on Apr.29;
Constitution Day, on May 3;
Greenery Day, on May 4;
Children's Day, on May 5;
See Day, on Jul.17;
Mountain Day, on Aug.11;
Respect-for-the-aged Day, on the 3rd Monday in Sep.;
Autumnal Equinox Day, on Sep.23 or 24;
Sports Day, on the 2nd Monday in Oct.;
Culture Day, on Nov.3;
Labor Thanksgiving Day, on Nov.23;
and the Emperor's Birthday, on Dec.23.
I'm glad you've made a wise and final decision to
consult Dr. Mizutani about your physical problem.
As you've just said, we can't be too careful about
our health.
Anyway I was relieved to hear that you didn't have
to have a surgery in the end.
I wonder what is happening to M. Clinic, though.
At first I thought it incredible that more than 90%
of people suffer from the tongue problem.
What he says might be partially true, but the figure
seems to be an exaggeration, doesn't it?
I'd like to believe in Dr. Mizutani.
Again, I admire your wise decision.
Thanks a lot for your message and concerning about me.^^
Sorry I couldn't get back at two hundred, as my son
was watching a DVD on my computer.
I was so relieved to hear that I don't have tongue adhesion,
thus I didn't need to have a surgery.
I'd thought Dr.Mizutani would say I had one, so I was kind of
discouraged and relieved to hear I didn't.
He also said this surgery only costs 2000yen using the health
insurance, so it's incredible that it costs 150,000 yen without
insurance at Mukai Clinic.
Mukai Clinic seems to be famous for this surgery; Dr. Mukai
has been doing it for about 30 years for anyone.
However, Dr.Mizutani said that it's really ridiculous that
more than 90% of the people have this symptom.
He didn't believe it.
Maybe the booklet was made to encourage people having
this surgery so that Dr.Mukai gets lots of money.
Dr.Mizutani has nice personalities; down-to-earth, sincere,
and knowledgeable.
I thought it's really important to hear the second opinion!
I'm indescribably relieved to hear that.
You must've given a sigh of relief to hear
that too.
Congrats!
How're things going?
Hope everything went all right.
I'll be back here at two hundred.
Have a nice evening.
How's it going?
I've got it.
Have a great time listening to the pipe organ
concert.
I'm sure it'll give you a wonderful time in which
you can pacify yourself.
It's always nice to hear from you.
I can imagine you having had a great time
sharing happy moments with your friends,
strolling, BBQing, chatting, and viewing beautiful
autumn scenery at Showa Memorial Park.
It must have been really nice walking on the
carpet of fallen ginkgo leaves of brilliant yellow
color.
Our nearby streets are lined with indescribably
beautiful ginkgo leaves on either side of it.
I have once seen brilliantly shining yellow ginkgo
leaves at the same park in November too.
The leaves at that time are still shining vividly
in my memory.
It was amazing to have such a heavy snowfall in
November for the first time in 54 years.
I was snowbound at home, enjoying reading a book
and making preparations for my classes thanks to
the unexpected snowfall.
Enjoy a beautiful snowscape in your neighborhood.
How have you been?
How was your Labor Thanksgiving Day?
As for me, we went to have a BBQ at Showa Memorial Park
yesterday.
Most of the yellow leaves of ginkgo were gone, but
we saw beautiful yellow carpets here and there.
Red, orange leaves of maple trees and others were still
beautiful, and various big dahlia flowers and groups of
Japanese pampas grass welcomed us.
I couldn't help remembering the day I spent time together
with my best friend!
20 of us enjoyed chatting, eating, drinking, and laughing
at the BBQ site.
I enjoyed the day so much!
It's snowing! Today's going to be cold.
Keep warm and take care!^^
How did your concert go?
I hope it worked out as smoothly as you had expected.
I'm sure you're becoming more and more confident in
expressing yourself through instrumental performances
and singing.
I went to the concert "The Vivaldi Variations" by Tokyo
Chamber Orchestra this evening, in which one of my
students' son played the contrabass.
Every time I listen to good music, I realize music has
power to directly appeal to our heart.
I hope you take a good rest and rejuvenate yourself
for your new activities.
I'm sure you can make it.
Give it all you've got and enjoy every minute
on the stage.
Break a leg!
I want to wean him off drinking too much.
arie is a polyglot; I want to be like him!
How have you been?
Did you enjoy the concert one of your students' son
took part in? Was it yesterday?
Thanks much for your warmhearted message.
I've just finished the last practice for the concert tomorrow.
As usual, I'm restless at this time.
I'm now worried a bit about carrying each instruments
while raining outside, as the weather forecast said
it would rain tomorrow.
There'll be so many heavy drums and accompanying stuff
need to be moved to the hall from the car.
I've given up taking my sitar with me, as I couldn't buy
a waterproof sitar case. Now they are out of order in Japan.
Anyway, I'll enjoy the performance on the stage!
Thanks as always~^^
TTYL
How's it going?
Hope you've been making smooth preparations
for the upcoming concert.
I'm sure you can enjoy your stage performace
as always.
We're going to Ueno to enjoy a concert given by
one of my students' son who plays the contrabass
in a professional orchestra in Tokyo.
Have a great time on the stage.
Break a leg!
I keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks a bunch for your messages.
I'm gald to hear you've gotten such a high score
on the TOEIC test that you don't need to take
another written test on the tour guide test.
Taking only the written test about Japanese culture
and the oral interview test'll save you a lot of
time to fulfill your desire.
As far as I'm concerned, I've learned a lot about
things Japanese by memorizing how we should
put our typically Japanese things into Engoish.
And the knowledge helped me a lot explain our
Japanese style of life to a number of exchange
students during their stay with us.
You'll be required to explain an aspect of Japanese
culture in English in the oral interview test, so
I hope you'll be fully prepared to answer any
relevant questions.
I've been making preparations for the upcoming
lifelong English course in our city which will be held
in February in this academic year.
I'll focus on verbs which will help us expand our
expressions in our daily communication.
Oh, I have to take both the speaking test and the writing test
on computer!
They are a set, so I can't take only either of them. ^^;
What a beautiful day today! How are you?
I wasn't supposed to, but I enjoyed tackling some questions
in the collection of problems book yesterday.
It was interesting to learn how we should translate
Japanese words into English!
I also checked what the whole test if like.
I found I don't need to take both STEP test and the English
test for tour guide, as I have enough score on TOEIC test.
I only need to take the speaking test or the writing test
of TOEIC; I'm wondering which test I should take.
Anyway, I'm glad it doesn't sound so tough!
See you around.^^
Oil companies have been accused of acquiescing in the pollution of the ocean.
We developed an acquaintance over the Internet.
They are refusing to acknowledge the court's decision.
The author acknowledged the help of the Museum.
A new dorm was built to accommodate graduate students.
If you need more time, we'll try to accommodate you.
The govenment should be accountable to all the people of the country.
We have to abide by his decision.
The practice of killing animals for food is abhorrent to me.
I can't abide that man!
I waited for the storm to abate.
I received the books and the tapes this morning!
Thanks much for your quick action.
You sent them before I asked you.^^
I still don't know what the whole test is like; there're
also questions for Japanese history and geography in
Japanese, right?
The young lady who sat next to me at the energy work
also said that the book, 日本的事象３００選, was a good one.
It may be published long time ago, but it must be still read
by many applicants.
I haven't decided yet whether I should take the 1st grade test
of STEP, or the English test for the tour guide certificate, but
I'll use your books anyway to keep brushing up my English!
What you think is what I think.
The tapes must help me repeating what I want to learn
more easily than CDs.
I really appreciate your kindness.
I'll start working on it after the Nov. concert!
P.S.
Your hand-writing letter and the Australian wildlife stamps
were lovely too~^^
I'm glad to hear you've got a cassette player.
I oftentimes feel a cassette player is more
convenient than a CD player particularly when
it comes to using a repeating function.
A CD player doesn't answer our exact purpose
when we'd like to listen again to what we've
missed grasping a recorded message.
I believe a cassette tape will serve our purpose
a lot more than a CD player when we use it
for our studies.
I cannot help thinking a CD player leaves a lot
to be desired in that sense.
Well, I guess you'll receive one of these days
what I sent you today.
I hope the tapes and books will help you fulfill
your dream.
I found a cassette player in storage space above a closet!
You know what?
I went to do energy work yesterday, and the lady next to me
happened to be an interpreter.
She also took the tour guide certificate and said
日本的事象３００選 was a good one.
I'd be happy if you'd let me use your cassette book!
I wonder if we have time to get together within this year.
Or could you send it to me with the charge for the percel
being paid on delivery?
I appreciate your kind offer.^^
It's getting cooler each day.
Keep warm and stay fit as always~
qualification test, which is the most difficult
part of all the preparations you'll have to make
to be an successful applicant.
Personally, I remember memorizing a lot of
English definitions and descriptions of different
aspects of Japanese culture.
I guess studying English for a general purpose
would be easier than focusing on a specific English
to explain our culture, history and way of life to
people from overseas.
From my experience, however, I think it'd be interesting,
challenging and even rewarding to learn to introduce
things Japanese in English.
Since you are proficient enough to express yourself
properly in English, I'm certain you can make it no matter
which choice you make.
I really had a great time talking with my former student
in a quiet Japanese-style luxury restaurant.
Even though I was not in charge of his class, he told me
he liked my way of teaching English and my philosophy
of life.
Have another happy day.
Thanks a bunch for your quick response.
I'm glad to hear you're now back to normalcy
after the climb the divine mountain.
You're young enough to be resilient even when
you're tired out thanks to your physical training
on a regular basis.
Well, concerning the grueling and even excruciating
exam, I'm pessimistic about the result of it.
To be candid with you, I'm satisfied with what I did
to make myself prepared for the test in defiance of
my declining memory.
I'm glad I learned a lot about teaching methodologies
while studying for the qualification test.
I'm sure it'll help me teach English to my students.
I admire your determination to take a tour guide test.
It's another tough exam for which you must make
a thorough preparation.
I'm sure it's worth your efforts because you can learn
a lot about our own country.
Some of my successful students told me that passing
the STEP 1st grade test would be a shortcut to your
goal because it'll exempt you
to passing the test
Thanks much for telling me about how you've been doing.
It's really like you ; you enjoy keeping busy pace of life
without vegging out.
In my case, when each concert is over, I just want to
change my pace as I kind of get tired of doing the same things
time and again.
So I thought you might not want to use your brain for a while
after the exam, but it didn't seem to be your case.^^
Oh, I got lots of power from Mt. Mizugaki, so I didn't need to
rest at all.
I keep walking a lot everyday and practice power yoga too.
Just got muscular pains on my legs two days after the
mountaineering; not the next day! ^^;
Now pains are gone and my body got back to normal again.
When will you get the result of the exam?
I'm thinking of taking the certificate of a tour guide, so
I'd be happy if you'd tell me how I should study for the test.
Enjoy the get-together with your ex-student today!
Thanks awfully for your encouraging words.
To be honest, I enjoyed practicing table tennis
on the following Monday and Tuesday after the
exam and went to the library immediately after
the practice so that I could make some preparations
for my Engish classes.
I'm afraid I wasn't in a good physical condition after
the test probably because of a sudden change of season,
but I'm quite all right now.
I know I should take a breather after the grueling test
but I feel tempted to make myself busy rather than lead
a leisurely pace of life.
I'm sure I was born to be frugal with a tendency to be
frugal.
I don't mind that, because this tendency makes me feel
positive about my way of life.
I guess you must have been tired out from climbing one
of the most famous mountains the other day.
I hope you'll recover from your fatigue as soon as possible.
I'm going to see one of my former students on Friday this
week, because he has some business to do around here.
See you later.
Thanks much for telling me about the test.
Whoa! It took so long? You must have been really bushed!
In a way, it was good that I couldn't show up on Sunday
so that you were able to rest without using your brain.
I guess you needed to prepare for the evening class yesterday
and conducted it last night.
Thanks again for writing me, even though you still needed
some rest.
You must have a good rest today.
Enjoy the relaxing time~^^
Thanks much for giving a detailed account of your
climb to Mt. Mizugaki.
Thanks to your description of your visit to the place,
I was able to have a vivid picture of what you saw
and felt there.
The mountain must be worth climbing because it is
designated as one of the 100 famous mountains in
Japan.
I've never heard of the mountain before, though.
Thanks a lot for letting me know about the noted
craggy mountain.
It was a long and arduous day yesterday.
I left home at 7:20 and came home at 19:00.
The exam ended at 16:40 at long last.
The first part of the exam in the morning was
not so tough and I felt my efforts paid off.
The second part of it was a listening
comprehension test in which we were required
to tell a minute and subtle difference in the way
foreign students studyiing Japanese pronounce our
language.
This is a 30-minute grueling test which forced
us to concentrate on each sound they make.
The third part was another two-hour torture.
See you later.
How are you doing?
You must be really relieved that the exam was over.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day!^^
As for me, I went to Mt. Mizugai, one of the best 100 mountains
in Japan with "a mountain circle" firends.
The weather was really gorgeous.
It was so beautiful to see changing color of leaves with very
blue sky.
There were lots of huge stones and rocks; it was also fun to
climb those rocks and I was astonished to see I've-never-seen
such gigantic crags. Were breath taking!
The view from the top of the mountain was out of this world.
We could see 360 degrees including mysterious Mt. Fuji
surrounded by white clouds!
After coming down the mountain, we dropped by at Masutomi
radium hot springs.
I remembered you often and every time, I wished you good luck.
Hope your day was as good as my day!
I'm all ears.^^
Sorry, I couldn't show up; there was a traffic jam on the way home.
I returned home after 22:00 tonight.
You must be very tired today after concentrating so much on the test.
Have a good rest, and I'll talk to you more tomorrow.
Good night!
I was blown away by what Mr.Trump had said.
Tomorrow's coming at last!
You must have reviewed what you'd memorised time and again.
Take a good rest tonight, and try to see lots of greenery
on the way to the venue of the test.
Green color is said to be good for your eyes and rejuvenate you
and enhance your memory.
You'll be sure to concentrate on the test!
I'll be going to Mt.Mizugaki in Yamanashi prefecture tomorrow.
I'll think of you while climbing the rocky mountain, sending you
lots of energy of the place.
Best of luck!
I'm looking forward to hearing about your day.
Sorry, if I'm not ready by the appointed time in case of
returning home late.
See you soon~^^
Thanks a lot for giving me an account of the rehearsal.
It must have been a demanding job to have every
instrument ready on the stage for the performance.
I'm sure the rehearsal will shed a new and different light
on the last program.
It's incredible I've got only one week before I have the
big day.
I still have a lot more preparations to make but the time
is limited, so I think it's wise to completely memorize what
I've learned so far instead of learning new items.
Have a nice evening.
Thanks for telling me how you are doing.^^
It's realy like you that you keep doing what you should
do each day on your own pace without stopping.
I'm really proud of you, and am always behind you!
We had a rehearsal yesterday and saw what the whole
program in the next concert would be like.
There were lots of suggestions going on and we changed
some program for better performance.
We got together at Okurayama Hall from 13:00 to 17:00,
but it was quite short to go through the whole program.
Especially because we needed to carry various drums
back and forth(you know the place; there's no elevator
nor escalator but lots of stairs!)
It took us an hour and a half to be ready for the performance
and for leaving the hall after finishing the rehearsal.
And I didn't know those instruments and equipments were
so heavy!
Anyway, I enjoyed the day including the new experience.
Tomorrow's coming!
See you then~^^
Long time no see.
Hope you've been having a fulfilling and enjoyable
time in your daily life.
I've been leading a monotonous life cooping up myself
in the community library all day long.
I've got a sea of items to memorize day after day to
make myself prepared for the exam.
I should realize that time is limited and I must feel
satisfied with what little progress I'm making on a daily
basis.
I'm glad to feel I'm learning something new every day,
though, which motivates me to go on day in and day out.
Have a nice day.
He's sophomoric, but he doesn't like to be advised.
I think he's totally out of line!
He didn't answer any questions!
I don't think he has the odds of depression,
as he seems to be quite happy being by himself.
I don't want to be a gawker; I want to take part in things.
I'm not really a foodie, but I eat almost everything under the sun.
I enjoyed the sweeping vestas from the pirate ship.
I need to address the next concert now.
I try to let my male cat outside lest he (should) pee inside the house.
How're things going?
Thanks a million for letting your aficionado know
about SESS.
I really do hope she'll join us too.
Seems like you're expanding your sphere of life
thanks to your constant efforts to give a series of
fascinating concerts.
I participated in a preparatory session for the upcoming
English class targeting local inhabitants in Iruma city.
The class will be held in February next year and I'm planning
to focus on the usage of verbs this time.
Thanks again for your consideration.
I was invited to one of my audience's house yesterday.
She was a total stranger before the concert, but
we talked a lot after the concert.
She's also interested in studing English.
So I told her about SESS and she might join us!
Hope she'll come to this town soon~^^
Hope she'll bounce back quickly from her sickness.
I feel deflated every time I find out terrible facts stonewalled by our government.
When posting a photo on facebook, I needed to touch it up a bit.
I had to touch up my makeup before going on a stage.
A few years ago, I found a big spider which eats cockroaches at home.
I don't want to cut it off as we haven't seen any cockroaches since then.
It rained cats and dogs in the morning,
but when I walked outside, the rain let up.
Now I need to set about the next concert in Nov.
Thanks much for telling me about what you are doing
and what you are thinking now.
I think what you said is right.
What important now is to try your utmost on each day
toward the test.
It must be really hard to memorise such an extensive sphere
of the test.
Please pull out all the stops!
With you good luck~^^
How're you doing?
I've been leading my daily routine life quite
as usual, confining myself to the community library
so that I can digest as much as what I'll be supposed
to tackle in the upcoming grueling test.
The scope of the test is so extensive that I easily forget
what I've learned before.
I sometimes feel as if I were knocking down "tsumiki"
blocks which I've so far constructed.
I know I should move on in spite of the harsh present
time I'm in now, because I believe in trying my utmost
instead of giving in to my demanding situation.
Have a nice day.
Glad you found my blog here~^^
I'm thinking of going to one of Michiyo-san's concerts
at Shibuya.
I wonder if you'd go there too.
Have a nice weekend!
Now I've found your blog here all right.
Thanks a bunch for your vivid description about
your trip to the place with her.
I can imagine how much you enjoyed yourself
visiting different places with her while talking to
each other.
Have a nice day.
I would rather he returned home early.
We have the same qualities of free-spritedness.
Chinese characters in China are simplified, and they have less strokes.
He is stubborn and has hardened his attitude.
I pulled out all the stops on the stage.
I returned home safe and sound last night.^^
I really enjoyed bathing, and going around the area with Emily.
We bathed in hot springs twice a day, and took a train, a cable car,
a ropeway, and a pirate ship to visit Owakudani, Hakone shrine,
Hakone Sekisho, Narukawa musium, and Amajyake Chaya.
Although the weather wasn't very nice and we couldn't see Mt. Fuji
and starry sky at all, it stoped raining when we were walking outside!
We have very similar characters and the way of thinking, so it was easy
to understand each other, and we couldn't stop talking all day.
She said that she wants to visit the place again!
I got lots of energy by visitng the place, feeling the nature power,
and chatting and laughing a lot with a hilarious girl!
Wished you had been with us too~
You must keep studying hard toward the test in Oct.
I wish you good luck and keep sending some energy to you!
Talk to you soon^^