Chapter 7
Japan - The Land of the Rising Sun
A. Warmer / Think and Tell
1. Which country is called 'The Land of the Rising Sun'?
Answer: Japan is known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ because it is located at the eastern edge of Asia, where the sun first appears in the morning.
2. What adds to the natural beauty of Japan?
Answer: Japan’s natural beauty is made even more striking by its snow-covered mountains, shining lakes and streams, and beautiful gardens filled with flowers and fruits that captivate visitors.
3. What is the chief food of the Japanese?
Answer: The main diet of the Japanese consists of rice and fish. They also enjoy drinking tea, which they take plain, without milk or sugar.
4. What is the ‘Feast of Dolls’?
Answer:The ‘Feast of Dolls’ is a celebration held on 3rd March for girls. On this day, even girls from poor families receive a doll, and the festival is enjoyed with great joy by all.
5. What is the ‘Feast of the Carp’?
Answer: The ‘Feast of the Carp’ is celebrated in May. During this festival, Japanese boys fly carp-shaped kites, which represent strength and courage.
6. How do the Japanese treat their guests?
Answer: The Japanese are courteous, gentle in speech, and hospitable. They always knock before entering a room and avoid speaking harshly to anyone.
7. How do the Japanese bear pain?
Answer: Japanese children are taught to endure pain quietly without shedding tears. This tradition helps them become courageous and well-mannered adults.
8. List some qualities that help the Japanese grow brave and polite.
Answer: Qualities such as cleanliness, courtesy, self-discipline, gentle speech, patience, and bravery help Japanese children develop into courageous and polite individuals.
B. Think and Write (Brief Answers)
9. Why is there no smoke in a Japanese house?
Answer: There is no smoke in a Japanese house because they cook on stoves rather than making fires inside their rooms.
10. What do the Japanese boys and girls love?
Answer: Japanese boys enjoy flying kites shaped like carp during the ‘Feast of the Carp,’ and Japanese girls enjoy playing with dolls during the ‘Feast of Dolls.’
11. What do the Japanese do on New Year’s Day?
Answer:On New Year’s Day, the Japanese visit friends, exchange gifts, and decorate their homes and streets with bright paper lanterns.
12. What is a carp, and why is it significant to Japanese boys?
Answer: A carp is a fish known for its strength and bravery. Japanese boys fly kites shaped like carp to wish for strength and courage like the fish.
13. How do Japanese houses differ from Indian houses?
Answer:Unlike Indian houses made of bricks or stones, Japanese houses are constructed with wood, have paper walls, and small glass windows.
14. Why do Japanese people remove their shoes before entering a house?
Answer: Japanese people take off their shoes before entering a house to keep the home clean and free from street dust and dirt.
15. How do the Japanese maintain cleanliness in their homes?
Answer: The Japanese maintain cleanliness by taking off their shoes before entering, sweeping often, and keeping their homes neat and orderly.
16. How do Japanese children behave with elders and adults?
Answer: Japanese children speak gently, show politeness, avoid shouting, always knock before entering rooms, and greet guests with respect.
17. What kind of tea do Japanese people drink?
Answer: The Japanese drink tea plain, without adding milk or sugar.
18. How are Japanese gardens described in the text?
Answer: Japanese gardens are described as beautiful, full of flowers and fruits, and enchanting to all who visit them.
19. How are Japanese festivals unique compared to other countries?
Answer: Japanese festivals are unique because they center on children, with dolls for girls and carp-shaped kites for boys, highlighting cultural values such as happiness, courage, and tradition.
20. Why is Shintoism important in Japan?
Answer: Shintoism is important in Japan because it encourages people to appreciate beauty, respect nature, and honor their ancestors.
C. Think and Write (Detailed Answers)
21. Describe the geographical features of Japan.
Answer: Japan features snow-covered mountains, lakes, rivers, and fertile plains. Its picturesque landscape enhances its beauty and draws tourists from across the globe.
22. How do Japanese houses reflect their culture?
Answer: Japanese houses, made of wood with paper walls and small glass windows, showcase simplicity, natural beauty, and cleanliness. The use of stoves instead of open fires reflects their neat and careful way of living.
23. Explain the Japanese approach to cooking and smoke.
Answer: The Japanese cook with stoves inside their homes, keeping smoke out of the living spaces. This practice highlights their concern for cleanliness and well-being.
24. How do the Japanese use rickshaws in daily life?
Answer:Rickshaws, which are small and light carriages pulled by men, are used for transportation and represent traditional Japanese ways of traveling.
25. Describe the role of dolls in Japanese culture.
Answer: Dolls play a key role in the ‘Feast of Dolls,’ helping girls enjoy playtime and learn cultural traditions, no matter their financial background.
26. Explain the cultural significance of carp kites for boys.
Answer: Carp-shaped kites represent strength and courage. Flying them inspires boys to develop these admirable qualities.
27. How do Japanese people celebrate New Year?
Answer: During New Year, the Japanese visit friends, give and receive gifts, illuminate their homes and streets with colorful paper lanterns, and celebrate joyfully together.
28. How does Japanese culture train children to be brave?
Answer: In Japanese culture, children are trained to endure pain without crying, fostering self-discipline, patience, and courage from early childhood.
29. How do Japanese values reflect in their daily habits?
Answer: Japanese daily habits, such as taking off shoes indoors, knocking before entering rooms, and speaking gently, reflect their values of cleanliness, courtesy, patience, and respect for others.
30. What is the significance of beauty in Japanese culture?
Answer: In Japanese culture, beauty holds great importance as Shintoism teaches appreciation for it, seen in gardens, traditional crafts, and maintaining cleanliness in everyday life.
31. How do Japanese crafts reflect their culture?
Answer: Japanese crafts, created from wood, paper, silk, leather, and cotton, demonstrate skill, patience, and an appreciation for beauty, and are admired and exported globally.
32. How are Japanese people regarded in terms of work and cleverness?
Answer: Japanese people are seen as intelligent, diligent, and always industrious, showcasing their discipline and commitment.
33. Explain the patriotism of Japanese people.
Answer: Japanese people have a deep love for their country and are willing to make sacrifices, demonstrating loyalty and pride in their nation.
34. How do festivals reflect Japanese values?
Answer:Japanese festivals, such as the Feast of Dolls and the Feast of Carp, instill cultural values in children, promote happiness, courage, and thankfulness, and help maintain traditional practices.
35. How is politeness emphasized in Japanese children?
Answer: Japanese children learn to welcome guests, knock before entering, avoid shouting, and speak gently, which cultivates politeness and social awareness.
36. How does Japanese training in patience and bravery affect adults?
Answer:Training in patience and courage from childhood enables Japanese adults to become responsible, brave, and courteous, facing challenges with composure.
37. How does Japanese cultural education differ from other countries?
Answer: Japanese cultural education emphasizes discipline, self-discipline, courtesy, appreciation of beauty, and respect for elders, embedding these values into everyday life.
38. How does Japanese religion influence their art and craft?
Answer: Japanese religion, particularly Shintoism, inspires the creation of beautiful objects and respect for nature, shaping their architecture, gardens, and traditional crafts.
39. Describe the role of children in Japanese festivals.
Answer: In Japanese festivals, children play a central role, enjoying dolls or flying carp-shaped kites, which underscores their significance in preserving cultural traditions.
40. Why is Japan called the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’?
Answer:Japan is called the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ because it is located in the east, where the sun appears first in Asia, representing hope, light, and a fresh beginning for the nation.
Answer by Mrinmoee
