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

peach blossoms

The pink color of hishi-mochi is made using gardenia fruit, which has detoxifying properties.

two types

There are two types: the Kanto-style “Chomeiji,” which wraps sweet red bean paste in a crepe-like dough, and the Kansai-style “Domyoji,” which is shaped like a manju (steamed bun).

hishi mochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake)

It is said that hina-arare originated from hishi-mochi that was crushed and roasted to make it easier to eat outdoors.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi is known for hosting a lavish cherry-blossom viewing party at Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto in 1598. This event is famously called the “Daigo no Hanami.” While people had enjoyed viewing flowers before then, Hideyoshi was the first to hold a hanami in the modern style—enjoying food while appreciating the blossoms.

vegetables

In horticulture, fruits that grow on trees are classified as fruit, while those that grow on herbs are classified as vegetables. Since strawberries are herbaceous, they are classified as vegetables rather than fruit. In practice, however, they’re eaten like fruit, so they’re referred to as a “fruit-like vegetable.” Many people are probably surprised to learn that strawberries are considered vegetables.

noon

It depends on the day’s weather conditions, but it’s said that the time when pollen is most airborne is around midday through sunset. Pollen that begins dispersing from sugi (Japanese cedar) and hinoki (Japanese cypress) in the early morning spreads through urban areas during the morning. It then settles down somewhat in the afternoon, but around sunset, when temperatures drop, pollen aloft is said to fall to the ground, and pollen that had settled can be stirred up again.

Because it gives the impression of being fickle since it falls apart so quickly.

Because cherry blossoms have short lives and quickly lose their color after falling, they were associated with negative impressions.