[For Seniors] Nostalgic quizzes that bring back memories! Showa-era entertainment and sports questions

Baseball now consists of nine innings. However, when baseball first began, the team that reached a certain number of runs first would win. What was that number of runs?

There are various theories about the origins of baseball, but it’s said that the modern game was devised in the United States in 1839.

At the time, the rule was something like “the first team to reach 21 points wins.” However, with a points-based rule, the game length could vary significantly.

It’s said that chefs preparing food for the postgame celebration complained that they couldn’t predict the timing and thus couldn’t be fully prepared.

The rules were later revised, leading to the style of baseball we have today.

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Nakajima Junko

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What is the name of the character, which appeared in the late Showa era (1985–1989) and became popular among children, that looks like a white ghost?

One major characteristic of the long Showa era was the development of culture, and from the advent of television and animation, a variety of characters were created.

Among the many characters born in Japan, which popular character from the 1960s, resembling a white ghost, comes to mind? It’s one of Fujiko Fujio’s representative works, and its popularity grew further thanks to its anime broadcast.

The answer is Obake no Q-Taro.

Beyond Q-Taro himself, the appearance of many other characters helped make the entire work beloved.

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kappamaki

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What is the title of the movie starring Bruce Lee released in 1973?

The correct answer is “Enter the Dragon”! Many older viewers may have already seen it.

It’s a kung fu film starring Bruce Lee that became a worldwide hit.

For many people, this was their first introduction to kung fu.

In 2004, the film was selected for permanent preservation in the U.S.

National Film Registry.

It’s one of those movies that has influenced many and is still beloved today.

If you haven’t seen it yet, this is a great opportunity to give it a watch.

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sasashina

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Which singer performed “Nagasaki no Kane” and served as the White Team’s final act in the first Kōhaku Uta Gassen?

The first ever Kōhaku Uta Gassen took place on January 3, 1951 (Showa 26).

The honor of closing for the White Team in this landmark first event went to Ichirō Fujiyama, who performed one of his signature songs, “Nagasaki no Kane” (The Bells of Nagasaki).

Other performers included Hamako Watanabe with “San Francisco no Chinatown” and Toshiro Oumi with “Yunomachi Elegy,” among others.

Popular songs can vividly bring back memories of events from that time.

Along with using them in a quiz, it might be nice to play a few songs and reminisce together.

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yuri

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What is the five-katakana-character name for a type of women’s summer clothing that became popular in early Showa-era Japan, also called “simple wear” or “cooling wear”? (Answer: ワンピース)

This is a quiz inviting seniors to look back on things and events from everyday life in the early Showa period.

The answer this time is “appappa.” The word is said to come from Osaka dialect, referring to the hem of the garment spreading out with a quick “pa” sound.

Because it was also called a “simple garment” or a “cooling garment,” the appappa was light, soft, easy to move in, and breezy—features that made it hugely popular at the time.

It also has something in common with today’s popular women’s fashion item, the one-piece dress.

You still occasionally see it as a classic outfit for middle-aged ladies.