[For Kids] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts About Rain

Early summer rain

The word samidare refers to the rain that falls during the rainy season in the fifth month of the old Japanese lunar calendar. That fifth month corresponds roughly to June today. In the past, Japan used a different calendar, so May aligned with the rainy season. For that reason, samidare is used to mean the long-lasting rains of the monsoon season.

rain cloud icon

In weather forecasts overseas, a “rain cloud” icon is mainly used to indicate rain. There aren’t many countries that use the familiar Japanese “umbrella” icon for rain in their forecasts. It’s a design that intuitively conveys to anyone that it’s going to rain.

I hope it rains.

Teru teru bozu are traditionally hung with the head up when you wish for clear weather, but if you hang one upside down, it carries the hope that it will rain. Try this when, contrary to the usual wish for sunshine, you have an unpleasant plan and are hoping it will be canceled due to rain.

late November to early December

Sazanka-tsuyu refers to a spell of prolonged rain seen in Japan from late November to early December. The name comes from the fact that the flowers of the sasanqua camellia begin to bloom during this period. Like the summer rainy season (tsuyu), it is characterized by continuous rainfall and tends to arrive at the seasonal transition from the end of autumn toward winter.

rain after car wash

The rain that falls on the day before Tanabata is called “carriage-washing rain,” and this name is closely tied to the Tanabata legend. On Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are allowed to meet only once a year, cross the Milky Way to reunite. It is said that the water used to wash the ox-drawn carriage that Orihime rides to go see Hikoboshi is this carriage-washing rain.

Lei Percent

In official contexts such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, a precipitation probability of “0%” is designated to be read as “rei percent.” While “zero” is commonly used to read the number 0 in fields like mathematics and science, for precipitation forecasts it is stipulated to be read as “rei.” Many people may have heard announcers on weather reports say “rei percent.”

●

Among weather symbols, the one that represents rain is “●”. Weather symbols used by organizations like the Japan Meteorological Agency have fixed marks for each condition. Rain is depicted by filling in the circle completely in black. If you see this symbol on a weather map, assume it indicates rain and prepare accordingly.