[For Seniors] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts About the Rainy Season (Tsuyu)

newspaper

Because newspaper has an uneven surface, it absorbs moisture more readily than regular paper. You can take advantage of this property and use newspaper for moisture control.

woman

The origin of teru teru bozu lies in China and is based on a legend called “Sa Qing Niang.” Sa Qing Niang is said to have been a girl who sacrificed herself to stop long rains, becoming the bride of the rain god and thus bringing an end to the rain. This legend was brought to Japan during the Heian period, giving rise to the custom of hanging dolls modeled after Sa Qing Niang from eaves. It is believed that this custom evolved into today’s teru teru bozu.

Concrete

Snails sometimes eat concrete. A snail’s shell is made of calcium carbonate. On rainy days, calcium carbonate leaches out of concrete, and snails feed on it.

umbrella

Only Japan and South Korea represent rain with an umbrella icon; many other countries use a raincloud icon.

parasol

It is said that umbrellas, indispensable to our lives, have existed for about 4,000 years. In those days, umbrellas were special items used only as sunshades by people of high status, such as royalty and nobility, and they were treated as symbols of wealth and authority.

Hokkaido

In Japan, there is generally a rainy season from spring to summer, but Hokkaido is an exception. Due to its geographical location and climatic characteristics, Hokkaido does not experience a continuous period of long rains like the rainy season found in other parts of Japan.

cat

It has long been said that a cat washing its face is a sign that rain is coming. This belief stems from the fact that cats often wash their faces when humidity is high, and a rise in humidity is seen as a precursor to rain.