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

Heian period

The custom of moon viewing is said to have been brought from China during the Heian period. Records show that aristocrats composed waka poems while admiring the moon and enjoyed sake and lavish meals. Since the Heian period lasted a long time, a uniquely Japanese moon-viewing culture developed, and it seems reasonable to think that traces of it remain in today’s moon-viewing practices.

amulet against evil

It’s said that displaying pampas grass during the moon-viewing festival serves as a talisman against evil. People in the past believed pampas grass had the power to ward off harmful things. Also, because its shape resembles rice ears, it came to be displayed with wishes for a bountiful harvest. In this way, it’s an item imbued with various meanings.

stomach

Pacific saury don’t have a “stomach.” Some fish, including saury, lack a stomach for digesting what they eat; their esophagus connects directly to the intestines. As a result, food bypasses the stomach and is digested and absorbed directly. Because they don’t have a stomach, it’s said that gutting saury is relatively simple.

crab

In Southern Europe, it’s said that the pattern of the full moon looks like a crab. In Japan, people often say it looks like a rabbit pounding mochi, but the way lunar patterns are perceived and interpreted varies by region around the world. It could be interesting to explore how these perceptions differ from country to country.

smile (smilingly / with a smile)

A real Japanese pear variety is “Nikkori.” It was bred by crossing Niitaka and Housui, and its name comes from “Nikkō” and “nashi” (pear). The fruit is very large, notably sweet, and has a crisp texture. It’s harvested from mid-October to late November.