[For Seniors] Spring-themed quizzes: Fun trivia questions that help prevent dementia while you solve them

Yamanashi Prefecture

The Yamataka Jindai-zakura, which blooms within the grounds of Jissoji Temple in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is counted among Japan’s three great cherry trees and became the first nationally designated Natural Monument in the Taisho era. Said to be approximately 2,000 years old, it is widely known as Japan’s oldest—that is, the “longest-lived”—cherry tree.

3 pieces

Tulip flowers actually have three petals. They look like they have six, but of those six, three are petals and the remaining three are sepals. Since they look almost the same, many people probably assumed they were all petals!

Only red and black were colors that dyed beautifully.

These days, school backpacks (randoseru) come in a wide variety of colors, but in the past they were limited to red and black. The reason has to do with dyeing techniques for cow leather: at the time, it was difficult to dye leather evenly without blotches, and red and black were the only colors that could be dyed cleanly.

wedding

It depicts the wedding ceremony of the Emperor and Empress in the old imperial court.

Okinawa Prefecture

The place where cherry blossoms bloom the earliest in Japan is Okinawa Prefecture. In Okinawa, cherry blossoms bloom from late January to early February, which is about two months earlier than on the mainland.

approximately 100 to 200 sheets

Dandelions, which you often see in fields and along roadsides, are a quintessential spring flower in Japan, appearing from March to July. What we call a dandelion “flower” is actually a collection of small tubular florets, and there are usually about 150 to 200 of these. In other words, many tiny petals come together to form a single flower.

ohagi and botamochi

Azuki beans, believed to ward off evil, and sugar, which used to be expensive, are offered out of a wish to let the deceased partake of them.