#08-365: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter

"He took the little Creature in his Hand." (Wikisource)

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Note: Japanese literature is filled with old childless couples who find wonderful babies and grow rich as a result of their kindness. This is a good one.

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Get Ready: Do you think generosity should be its own reward, or should people expect monetary return for their good deeds?

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#08-298: The Feathered Robe

A scene from the Noh play Hagoromo (Wikipedia)

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Note: This charming story blurs the boundaries between heaven and earth as a fisherman gets an angel to dance for him before recovering her robe of feathers.

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Get Ready: What might you do if you encountered a real fairy or angel?

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#08-295: Issun Boshi

Issun Boshi paddles himself in a bowl (Wikimedia)

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Note: The charming story of "Issun Boshi" proves that size really doesn't matter!

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Get Ready: What do you think is the most important virtue a person can have?

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#08-228: Momotaro

Momotaro and his companions
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Many folk tales feature an old couple wishing for a child, and their request is fulfilled in a most unusual way. Here's a fine example from Japan.

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Get Ready: Why do you think so many "heroes" have supernatural births?

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#08-205: The Mujina

The mujina, also called the noppera-bō
(Wikipedia)

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Note: The Japanese have a rich folklore of supernatural beings and other creepy apparitions. This one is one of my favorites.

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Get Ready: What's the creepiest story you know? (Creepy, not bloody!)

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#08-192: The Tongue-Cut Sparrow

Sparrow and scissors by Hokusai
(Wikipedia)

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Note: This Japanese folktale was collected by the great Irish-Greek writer Lafcadio Hearn, among others.

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Get Ready: The best stories often contain a moral which dramatically contrasts the rewards of kindness and the punishment of selfishness. Can you think of some examples?

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#08-098: A Tale of Two Dogs

A ceremony at Hachiko's statue in Tokyo
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Two noble dogs, Argos in ancient Greece and Hachiko in modern Japan, became exemplary models of loyalty to their masters.

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Get Ready: Have you ever loved (and been loved by) a dog? Or any other pet? What is (or was) it like?

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#08-070: The Forty-Seven Ronin

The 47 ronin attack Kira's mansion
(Wikipedia)

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Note: The beginning of Japan's epic story cycle pits a haughty courtier against a sincere bumpkin; it ends with a revenge plot worthy of the Count of Monte Cristo.

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Get Ready: Do you admire honorable revenge, or should offended parties always "turn the other cheek"?

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#05-058: December Potpourri

Image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as seen in Juan Diego's cloak
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Faith in the Virgin of Guadalupe, the loyalty of the 47 Ronin, and the renewal promised by New Years Eve: December is a time of beginnings as well as endings.

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Get Ready: The story of the Virgin of Guadalupe teaches faith; that of the Forty-seven Ronin teaches loyalty. Which of these two virtues is more important?

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#05-053: Culture Day

Culture Day dancers
(Wikipedia)

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Note: This quintessentially Japanese holiday has its roots in the birthday of the Meiji Emperor, many of whose successors also have "themed" birthday celebrations.

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Get Ready: Is there a day when your country's culture (as a whole, not just certain aspects of it) is celebrated?

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#05-042: Tanabata (Qixi)

The reunion of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Two lovers--actually, stars--are banished to opposite sides of the river called the Milky Way, and can meet only once a year.

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Get Ready: Do you know any other myths or legends based in astronomy?

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#05-004: Two Japanese "Age" Days

Participants in a Coming-of-Age Day ceremony
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Japan recognizes both the passage from youth into adulthood, and the one from adulthood into senior status, in two public holidays.

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Get Ready: What sort of "rite of passage" (if any) do you celebrate when children become adults? How about when adults become seniors?

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#03-020: Celebrations of Spring

Earth at the equinoxes
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Each of the four great turning points--solstices and equinoxes--is widely celebrated across cultures. Let's look at some springtime celebrations.

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Get Ready: Does your culture or region have a special celebration for Spring Equinox? If so, what do you do?

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#03-006: Visiting Japan

Mount Fuji, symbol of Japan
(Wikipedia)

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Note: Keesha's going to Japan! Follow along as she tells Akemi where she plans to go and what she plans to see on her upcoming trip.

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Get Ready: What do you think about things like anime, manga, and cosplay? Do they sound fun? Or silly? Talk about them.

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