[For Seniors] Introducing trivia related to May!

A bamboo shoot can grow about 30 centimeters in a single day.

Bamboo shoots are in season in spring.

Some older people may even have experience digging them up.

Did you know how fast bamboo shoots grow? In fact, they can grow as much as 30 centimeters in a single day.

Of course, it depends on the season and temperature, but it’s surprising, isn’t it? By the way, because they mature in as little as ten days, they’re said to become inedible after that.

How about enjoying some springtime bamboo shoot dishes and feeling the arrival of spring?

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moko

The meaning of rose flowers changes depending on their color and the number you give.

It seems that some roses are at their best from May to June.

Among older adults who enjoy gardening, some may even have rose bushes in their gardens.

Roses come in vivid colors like red, yellow, and white.

Interestingly, the meaning of roses in the language of flowers changes depending on their color and the number you give.

People often give roses on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or proposals.

When you give them, be sure to check both the color and the number.

By the way, 108 roses are said to be suitable for a proposal, conveying a message of an eternal vow to your beloved.

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The old lunar month name for May, “Satsuki,” originates from rice planting.

In the old lunar calendar, May is called Satsuki, right? There are various theories about the origin, but it’s said that the “sa” in Satsuki refers either to the rice field deity or to the rice offered to that deity.

There’s also a theory that it comes from “Sanaezuki,” the month of planting young rice seedlings (sanae), which was shortened to Satsuki.

It seems Satsuki is indeed related to rice planting.

Other names for May include Samidarezuki (Month of Early Summer Rains), Tsukimizukizuki (Month When the Moon Is Not Seen), and Umeno Irozuki (Month of Plum Colors), among others.

It could be fun to look up the various names for May together with older adults.

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May is when the first tea of the season is harvested. What is the highest-grade Japanese tea called?

It is said that the period when shincha (new tea) is harvested is around eighty-eight days after Risshun (the first day of spring), and this is even mentioned in a children’s song.

In keeping with the season when shincha is picked, how about creating a quiz to deepen your knowledge about tea? Tea has ranks, and among them there is a highest grade—let’s think about what it’s called.

The term itself is well-known, so even people who haven’t tried it may have heard of it.

Among the many types of tea, “gyokuro” is particularly famous, known for its rich, intense umami flavor.

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Turban shells (sazae) are in season in May.

By learning about foods that are in season in May, let’s deepen our understanding of what this time of year means for each living creature.

Focusing on seafood could also reveal the ecology of marine life we don’t normally encounter.

When something is at its best for eating, it means it has stored the most nutrients, which tells us how that organism lives.

Turban shells (sazae), which are said to enter their prime in May, are considered to be well-nourished as they approach their spawning period from early summer into summer.

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When displaying May dolls, one thing you must not do is put them out the day before.

On Children’s Day in May, some households display May dolls (Gogatsu Ningyo).

Older people may have displayed them in the past, or perhaps still do so for their grandchildren.

These dolls are often put up in April.

In fact, it’s best to avoid displaying them the day before Children’s Day.

Putting them up the day before is called “ichiya kazari” (one-night display), and it’s considered bad luck.

The reason is that hurriedly setting out the dolls the night before can evoke associations with funerals.

Let’s take our time and display these wonderful May dolls with care.

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May sickness is an illness that causes symptoms like a lack of motivation.

Haven’t you heard the term “May sickness” (gogatsu-byo)? May sickness is an ailment that mainly appears in May.

You might wonder, “Is there really an illness that starts in May?”—but the reason is related to Golden Week, the long holiday in May.

When the fun May holidays end, some people just can’t get motivated or don’t want to go to work or school; these symptoms are called May sickness.

It’s something almost everyone may have experienced at least once.

Medically speaking, it corresponds to depression or an adjustment disorder, so if your symptoms don’t improve, you should see a doctor.

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sasashina

May 2 is Green Tea Day.

Among the days of Golden Week, focusing on the parts that aren’t national holidays might help us feel more connected to the break.

Let’s think about the commemorative day that falls on the day before those clustered holidays—May 2.

Considering that this is the season when greenery gradually deepens, and that about three months have passed since the time called Risshun (the beginning of spring), you might guess the answer.

The timing 88 days after Risshun marks the new tea season, and since May 2 falls close to that period, it has been designated as Green Tea Day.

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May 6 is Croquette Day

May 6 often ends up being a day off, coming right after a string of holidays, sometimes falling on a weekend or becoming a substitute holiday.

Let’s learn about the commemorative days on May 6—which can feel like a bit of an add-on—and deepen our interest in this date.

Since there are food-related observances, it could be fun to incorporate them into your menu for the day.

With the wish that families enjoy the dish during the outing season, and by playing on the way the numbers 5 and 6 are read in Japanese, May 6 has been designated as “Croquette Day.”

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