Lesson 56 Traditional Crafts and Goods
Topic Question: “Are there any companies in Japan that are famous for traditional crafts or goods?”
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Think about Japanese companies that specialize in products reflecting Japan’s rich cultural heritage, such as ceramics, textiles, or metalwork.
▮ Sample Answer
“Yes, there are several companies in Japan renowned for traditional crafts and goods. For example, Arita Porcelain Lab is famous for its exquisite Arita porcelain, a craft with over 400 years of history. Another example is Nihon Mingei, known for their work with indigo dye and traditional Japanese textiles. Lastly, Tohoku Metalworks specializes in crafting samurai swords and other metal goods, continuing a centuries-old tradition.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
- Arita Porcelain: A type of Japanese porcelain made in the area around Arita, in Saga Prefecture, known for its high quality and artistic designs.
- Exquisite: Extremely beautiful and delicate.
- Indigo dye: A natural dye extracted from plants, used in traditional Japanese textile making.
- Textiles: Types of cloth or woven fabric.
- Samurai swords: Traditional Japanese swords known for their craftsmanship and use by the samurai, the military nobility of medieval and early-modern Japan.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- What makes Arita Porcelain Lab notable?
- How does Nihon Mingei contribute to preserving Japanese culture?
- What is special about the goods produced by Tohoku Metalworks?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar:
have
have and have got
I have (something) or I’ve got (something) = it is mine:
● I have a new car. or I’ve got a new car.
● Do they have any children? or Have they got any children?
● Tim doesn’t have a job. or Tim hasn’t got a job.
● I have a headache. or I’ve got a headache.
● Do you have a cold? or Have you got a cold?
The past is I had (without got) / I didn’t have / Did you have?, etc.:
● When I first met Sue, she had short hair.
● He didn’t have any money because he didn’t have a job.
have breakfast / have a good time, etc.
In these expressions have = eat or drink. You can’t use “have got.”
● Where’s Liz? She’s having lunch.
● I don’t usually have breakfast
● I had three cups of coffee this morn111g.
● “Have a cookie. ” “Oh, thank you “
We also use have (not have got) in these expressions:
● We’re having a party next week. Please come.
● Enjoy your vacation. Have a good trip!
● I’m having a bad day. Everything is going wrong.
I hope I have a better day tomorrow.
● Mark had an accident on his first day in Rome.
● Boss, can we have a discussion about my pay?
Compare:
have got or have
● I’ve got / I have three cups of coffee
for this office.
have (not have got)
● I have coffee with my breakfast every morning
(not I’ve got coffee every morning)
● A: Where’s Paul?
B: He’s on break. He’s having a cup of coffee.
(= he’s drinking it now)
Example Sentences Based on the Grammar Practice and Sample Answer:
- I have a collection of Arita porcelain at home, and I’ve got an interest in traditional Japanese crafts.
- They have plans to visit the Nihon Mingei exhibition to see the indigo textiles.
- He had an opportunity to watch a samurai sword being made at Tohoku Metalworks.
- We’re having a tea ceremony next week using Arita porcelain. Please come.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
