Shall we delve into the season of new beginnings? April Trivia Quiz!
When you think of April, many people probably picture it as a season of new beginnings.
For students, it’s a time for moving up a grade or starting at a new school; for working adults, it can mean starting a new job or meeting new colleagues.
It’s also a time when many feel motivated to make a fresh start on something new.
That said, aside from the major events, a lot of people might not know much else about April.
So this time, we’ve put together a quiz full of trivia about April.
As you work through the questions, you’ll find bits of knowledge you’re likely learning for the first time, so enjoy yourself while getting to know April even better!
Shall we dive into the season of new beginnings? April Trivia Quiz! (1–10)
What does the event “Hana Matsuri,” held on April 8, celebrate?
- Blooming of cherry blossoms
- The Birth of the Buddha
- The coming of the New Year
See the answer
The Birth of the Buddha
Hana Matsuri is a Buddhist event held to celebrate the birth of the Buddha (Shakyamuni). On this day, a Buddha statue is placed on a special platform set up at temples, and a ceremony is performed in which the statue is bathed with sweet tea (amacha). This ritual, called kanbutsu, involves pouring sweet tea over the statue to purify it, celebrate the Buddha’s birth, and imbue the act with wishes for the participants’ happiness and health.
Easter held in April—what is it called in Japan?
- Easter
- Advent Festival
- Harvest Festival
See the answer
Easter
Easter is a holiday in Christianity that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in Japan it is called “Fukkatsusai” (Resurrection Festival).
What is the last day of April?
- 28th
- 30 days
- 31st
See the answer
30 days
April has 30 days. In general, April, June, September, and November have 30 days, while the other months have 31 days (February has 28 or 29 days).
What was April called in the lunar calendar?
- Kisaragi (the second month of the traditional Japanese calendar)
- Yayoi
- Uzuki (the traditional Japanese name for the fourth month of the lunar calendar; often corresponds roughly to April)
See the answer
Uzuki (the traditional Japanese name for the fourth month of the lunar calendar; often corresponds roughly to April)
In the old lunar calendar, April was called Uzuki. This means “the month of the deutzia blossoms” (uzuki/uno-hana), implying the month when deutzia, a symbol of spring, blooms. Kisaragi is the old lunar name for February, and Yayoi is for March.
Diamond is the birthstone for April—what is it called in Japanese?
- diamond
- crystal
- amber
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diamond
In Japanese, diamonds are called “kongōseki.” This term derives from the Sanskrit word “vajra.” In Buddhist terminology, “kongō” refers to something supremely hard and indestructible, so it is used as a word symbolizing the diamond’s exceptional hardness.
What are the two solar terms of the traditional 24 that occur in April?
- Clear and Bright and Grain Rain
- Minor Cold and Major Cold
- Risshun and Usui
See the answer
Clear and Bright and Grain Rain
The two solar terms that arrive in April are Seimei (Clear and Bright) and Koku-u (Grain Rain). Seimei marks the season when life begins to sprout and usually falls on April 4 or 5. Koku-u symbolizes the season when rains beneficial for crops begin to fall and occurs around April 20. These solar terms are deeply connected to nature and agriculture, representing an important period that heralds the arrival of spring and the beginning of growth.
Until 2006, what holiday was April 29 (Shōwa Day)?
- National Foundation Day
- Emperor's Birthday
- Greenery Day
See the answer
Greenery Day
April 29 was the birthday of Emperor Showa until 1989 (Showa 64/Heisei 1), and it was celebrated as Greenery Day until 2006. Since 2007, it has been a national holiday called Showa Day, established to honor Emperor Showa and reflect on events of the Showa era.
What kind of custom is April Fools’ Day?
- Express gratitude to each other
- deceive someone with jokes or lies
- Talk about future dreams and goals
See the answer
deceive someone with jokes or lies
April Fools’ Day is a custom observed on April 1 each year, when it is common for people to trick friends and family with jokes and hoaxes. Although this traditional practice is done to entertain others, customs vary by region—for example, in some places the pranks are limited to the morning.
Which of the following is not a zodiac sign for people born in April?
- Aries
- Taurus (constellation)
- Cancer (the constellation/sign)
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Cancer (the constellation/sign)
When April begins, most of the month is governed by Aries, and toward the end of the month it comes under Taurus. Cancer is a summer sign—especially from late June to July—so it is not the zodiac sign for those born in April.
What is the reason that April is the start of the fiscal/academic year?
- Because agriculture was the primary industry, it was aligned with the agricultural work cycle.
- Based on traditions established during the Sengoku period
- under the system established by the government in the Meiji era
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under the system established by the government in the Meiji era
In Japan, April is considered the start of the fiscal year due to the Accounting Act enacted in 1886 (Meiji 19). The Meiji government, in its effort to build a new foundation for national administration, introduced Western systems and organized domestic institutions. In that process, a fiscal year system was established that begins in April. One reason is thought to have been the advantages of making it easier to plan for the new year and facilitating a smooth transition from the existing lunar calendar–based life cycle.