[For Kids] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts about July

the edge of the roof

In the lyrics of the children’s song “Tanabata-sama,” the word nokiba is written in kanji as 軒端 (nokiba). It refers to the part of a house’s roof that extends out beyond the wall—the edge or eaves of the roof. The image of bamboo leaves swaying at the nokiba vividly conveys the scene of Tanabata decorations.

Because I slacked off from work.

Orihime and Hikoboshi worked under orders from Orihime’s father. However, after they married, they began to neglect their work, which angered her father, and it is said he separated them to opposite banks of the Milky Way. If they work diligently, they are allowed to meet only once a year, and that day became Tanabata.

shaved ice

July 25 is considered Shaved Ice Day. The reason is that a nickname for shaved ice, “natsu-gōri” (summer ice), can be read as a wordplay on the numbers 7-2-5. Additionally, July 25, 1933, was the day when the highest temperature on record at the time in Japan was observed, so the day also carries the idea of cooling off by enjoying this classic summer treat.

Ruby

The birthstone for July is the ruby. Known as the queen of gemstones, the ruby is distinguished by its beautiful red color that captivates all who see it. It is considered a symbol of passion, love, and courage, and is said to impart bravery and vitality to the wearer. It’s a very precious birthstone with a long history.

So that we can cherish things.

One of the Tanabata decorations, the wastebasket (kuzukago), carries the wish to value things. By making and displaying a kuzukago, we learn not to waste items that are used up or left over and to cherish things until the end. Each Tanabata decoration has its own meaning, and the kuzukago is displayed so that children can learn about recycling, not treating things carelessly, and feeling gratitude.

Caring for cattle

Hikoboshi is a figure in the Tanabata legend who appears alongside Orihime and is known as a hard worker tending cattle by the Milky Way. Because of this, he is also called a cowherd and diligently cared for the cows. Orihime is also hardworking, and it is said that the two are allowed to cross the Milky Way and meet only once a year.

weaving

Orihime is a woman who appears in the Japanese Tanabata story and is said to have worked weaving cloth near the Milky Way. Weaving is a traditional craft for making fabric, and because Orihime was highly skilled, she was entrusted with the work of weaving. It is also said that this is why she came to be called Orihime.