[For Seniors] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts for Everyday Life

What will the weather be like when contrails linger for a long time?

Why contrails form: How can contrails tell us the weather!? #WeatherNews Weather Picture Book #Clouds

When you look up at the sky, you sometimes see thin white streaks lingering behind airplanes.

These are called contrails—long, narrow white clouds that form after an airplane passes.

Sometimes contrails remain in the upper sky for a long time, and when they do, it’s said that rain may be on the way.

The reason is that when a low-pressure system is approaching from the west, the upper air is moist, making contrails slower to evaporate.

As a low-pressure system approaches, the weather tends to deteriorate.

Conversely, if contrails disappear quickly, it likely means the weather won’t worsen anytime soon.

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Nakajima Junko

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Which has more ribs, a Japanese umbrella (wagasa) or a Western-style umbrella?

Stylish Nakatsu locals living through the tradition and culture of the 'wagasa' (Japanese umbrella)

The answer is a wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrella).

The ribs that spread out radially when you open an umbrella are called “oya-bone” (main ribs).

While a typical Western umbrella has eight main ribs, a wagasa has at least sixteen and can have around fifty.

The number of main ribs in a wagasa varies with the umbrella’s size, but many are used to firmly support the washi paper.

By the way, Western umbrellas are generally made from synthetic materials like vinyl or polyester; although they have only eight main ribs, the fabric is kept taut by the strength of the wire frame.

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moko

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A model of an Asian giant dragonfly (oni-yanma) has an insect-repellent effect.

The Oniyanma (Golden-ringed dragonfly) is known as the largest dragonfly in Japan, characterized by its black body with distinctive yellow stripes.

Preying on moths, flies, horseflies, and wasps, the Oniyanma is considered a king of the insect world, and its prey are said to instinctively fear it and flee at the sight of it.

In fact, repellent decoys that leverage the Oniyanma’s deterrent effect are already on the market and are reportedly so popular that they frequently sell out.

Wearing one during outdoor activities or leisure outings may help you avoid insect troubles.

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kojifumi

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The “Sahara” in the Sahara Desert means “desert” in Arabic.

In a certain desert in the northern part of the African continent lies one of the world’s largest, the Sahara.

Many of you have probably heard the name.

In fact, “Sahara” means desert or wilderness in Arabic, so when we say “the Sahara Desert,” it effectively means “desert desert.” Because the name itself already contains the meaning of desert, the formal usage in English and French is to refer to it without adding a word that means desert.

Led by the African Union, measures are being taken to prevent the desert from expanding, but it is said that the desert’s area is still increasing at a rate of about 60,000 square kilometers per year.

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kojifumi

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In Germany, you need a national license to go fishing.

Many people enjoy fishing as a hobby, and it’s said that catching seasonal fish brings an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

As popular as fishing is, did you know that in Germany, you need a national license to fish? Germany, alongside the Nordic countries, is a leader in environmental protection and pursues conservation with a high level of commitment.

As a result, you must pass a national qualification to fish, clearing both a written and a practical exam, and the license reportedly needs to be renewed every few years.

We should also value and protect the environment in Japan that allows us to enjoy fishing freely.

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kojifumi

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The model for the children’s song “Spring Brook” was Tokyo’s Kōbotsu River.

The children’s song “Haru no Ogawa” (Spring Brook) is something almost every Japanese person knows, as it’s taught in elementary school.

In fact, it is said to have a model brook.

That model is believed to be the Kotsubogawa, a stream that once flowed along today’s Odakyu Line in Tokyo.

One reason for this belief is that the lyricist, Tatsuyuki Takano, is said to have lived near the Kotsubogawa.

Although land development led to the stream being buried underground and repurposed as part of the sewer system—so we can no longer see it—the fact that such a river once existed in Tokyo, now lined with skyscrapers, will likely continue to be passed down along with this song.

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kojifumi

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When eating an Ehomaki on Setsubun, what you must not do is talk.

When it comes to must-eat foods for Setsubun, ehomaki definitely tops the list.

It originally started as a culinary custom in the Kansai region, but is said to have spread nationwide after convenience store chains and supermarkets began selling it.

In fact, there’s something you shouldn’t do when eating ehomaki: talk.

Proper etiquette is to eat it silently while facing the year’s lucky direction for Setsubun.

On Setsubun, keep this custom in mind as you eat to invite good fortune.

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kojifumi

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