September Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts! A Fun Autumn Quiz for Kids

Silver Week

The long holiday period in September is called Silver Week. It’s a long break that comes when Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox fall close together. Depending on the calendar, it can become a series of consecutive holidays, and many people enjoy traveling and leisure activities. The name “Silver Week” was inspired by the spring holiday period known as Golden Week.

Nagatsuki

In the old lunar calendar, September is written as “Nagatsuki” and pronounced “nagatsuki.” As autumn deepens and the nights grow longer, it was originally called “Yonanagatsuki,” meaning “the month when nights become longer,” which was then shortened to “Nagatsuki.” On nights when the air grows increasingly clear, be sure to take a look at the beautifully shining moon.

Meiji era

The first athletic meet in Japan was held during the Meiji era. In 1874 (Meiji 7), it took place at a naval training school under the name “Kyōtō Yūgikai” (Competitive Games Gathering). As in modern times, participants ran and competed using poles, but the events were reportedly given very difficult names.

Sapphire

The birthstone for September is sapphire. Sapphire, whose name comes from the Latin “sapphirus,” is a gemstone known for its beautiful blue color and has long been said to symbolize wisdom, sincerity, and trust. Because of its high hardness, it’s popular as jewelry and is also cherished as a good-luck charm.

Moon-viewing dumplings

On the night of the harvest moon, people offer moon-viewing dumplings, which are round like the full moon. The dumplings are offered in gratitude for a successful rice harvest this year and in prayer for a safe and abundant harvest next year. When offering the dumplings, be sure to place pampas grass alongside them.

wife; bride; (colloquial/otaku slang) waifu

The Japanese proverb “Akinasu wa yome ni kuwassuna” (“Don’t let your wife eat autumn eggplants”) has two interpretations: one is that autumn-harvested eggplants are so delicious that you wouldn’t want your bride to have them; the other is that eggplants can cool the body, so out of concern for her health, it’s better not to let her eat them. The amusing part is that these two meanings are the exact opposite of each other.

eye

The central part of a typhoon is called the “eye.” When you look at cloud images in weather forecasts, you can see a clear hole in the middle of the typhoon—this is the eye. When you pass into this area, the clouds disappear and it doesn’t rain, but once you step back into the typhoon’s domain, the weather quickly turns severe again.

Autumnal Equinox Day

Autumnal Equinox Day is when the length of day and night are almost the same. The date changes every year and usually falls around September 23. Since it lands in the middle of the Ohigan period, let’s make it a day to honor our ancestors by visiting graves and remembering them.

To attract females

The reason red dragonflies turn red is that males do so to attract females. Before they mature, both males and females are yellowish, but only the males turn red as they grow. When you go outside, try looking for red dragonflies!

Pacific saury

“秋刀魚” is read as “sanma.” It’s said that these characters were chosen because sanma is in season in autumn and its silvery shape looks like a sword. Incidentally, until around the latter half of the Meiji era, it was written not as “秋刀魚” but as “三馬” or “三摩.”