Lesson 45 Coming of Age Day (Seijin Shiki)
Topic Question: What happens during the Coming of Age Day celebration in Japan?
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Think about the significance of the Coming of Age Day in Japan. What are the customs, activities, and feelings associated with this day?
Sample Answer
“The Coming of Age Day is a Japanese holiday where 20-year-olds celebrate reaching adulthood. They often wear traditional attire like kimonos, attend official ceremonies, and enjoy parties with family and friends. It’s a day of pride and reflection.”
▮ 5 Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Pronounce the Words Correctly (Pronunciation Training) + Make Sentences Using the Words Instantly
- Holiday (祝日): A day of celebration or remembrance, officially recognized and often not a workday.
- Attire (服装): Clothes, especially of a particular or formal type.
- Ceremonies (式典): Formal events, often public, performed on special occasions.
- Pride (誇り): A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.
- Reflection (反省): Serious thought or consideration.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- What is the Coming of Age Day?
- What do 20-year-olds wear on this day?
- What feelings do they experience during the celebration?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
is it…? have you…? do they… ?, etc.
(questions 1)
In questions, the first verb (is/are/have, etc.) is before the subject:
Remember: the subject is after the first verb.
● Where has David gone? (not Where has gone David?)
● Are those people waiting for something? (not Are waiting … ?)
● When was the telephone invented? (not When was invented … ?)
do … ? / does …? / did … ?
Why isn’t … ? / Why don’t … ?, etc. (Why + negative ):
● Where’s John? Why isn’t he here? (not Why he isn’t here?)
● Why can’t Paula come to the meeting tomorrow? (not Why Paula can’t … ?)
● Why didn’t you call me last night?
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar practice:
- Is it common for all 20-year-olds to participate in the Coming of Age Day ceremonies?
- Have you ever attended a Coming of Age Day ceremony?
- Do they wear kimonos only during the official ceremonies, or do they wear them to parties as well?
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself: