[For Seniors] July Knowledge-Boosting Quiz

Morning glory seeds originally came to Japan as a medicine. What kind of medicine were they?

It’s not widely known, but morning glory seeds originally came to Japan as medicine.

Here’s a question: What kind of medicine were they? Hint: a remedy to regulate digestion.

In fact, morning glory seeds were used as a laxative to promote bowel movements.

This surprising fact sparks lively conversation among participants—“Really? Is that true?” Learning old wisdom broadens topics about health and the seasons, making it perfect for brain training, too.

It’s a quiz that lets you discover another side of the morning glory beyond its beautiful flowers.

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kojifumi

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What is the official name of the marble inside a bottle of ramune?

Ramune in glass bottles is a quintessential symbol of summer.

Drinking a well-chilled bottle of ramune on a hot summer day can blow the heat away.

Speaking of bottled ramune, its hallmark is the glass marble inside.

The official name of this marble is the “A-dama” (A marble).

Marbles that met the standard—specifically, those without any distortions that could be used as the bottle’s stopper—were called A-dama.

Those that didn’t meet the standard were called B-dama and became the toy marbles known as “bīdama.” Back when bottled ramune was first sold, many B-dama were produced, and shops that sold ramune would hand them out to children.

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Nakajima Junko

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What do the phrases “Tamaya~” and “Kagiya~,” shouted when fireworks are launched, refer to?

Cries of “Tamaya!” and “Kagiya!” echo across the summer night sky.

You often hear these shouts at fireworks festivals, and while they’re an old custom, do you know what they mean? In fact, they’re not just random cheers—they have a history.

In the Edo period, there were famed fireworks craftsmen whose shop names were Tamaya and Kagiya.

Spectators would call out as if to cheer and compare which shop’s fireworks were more beautiful.

In other words, they’re “the names of the shops that made the fireworks.” This custom, which remains today, is proof that the artisans’ skill and pride have been passed down.

When those calls ring out along with the boom of the fireworks, a summer night becomes all the more evocative.

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Mosquitoes also suck things other than human blood. What are they?

When you think of mosquitoes, the first thing that comes to mind is probably “sucking blood.” But in fact, they drink more than just blood.

So what else do they drink? Here’s a hint: something sweet.

The answer is… flower nectar.

Mosquitoes actually sip nectar regularly to replenish their energy.

Only females drink blood, and only because they need it to develop their eggs—males drink nectar exclusively.

Learning a new side of a familiar creature can spark conversation and stimulate the brain while enjoying the feel of the season.

It’s a tidbit you’ll remember the next time you hear that buzzing sound in the summer.

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When cicadas are chirping in the background during a phone call, how does it sound to the person on the other end?

How would the sound of cicadas in the background come across to the person on the other end of a phone call? The hint is “how phones work.” Traditional telephones are designed to transmit only the frequency range of the human voice, so higher-pitched sounds like cicadas are cut out.

In other words, the answer is: “You can’t hear them.” The unexpected answer is sure to prompt a “Wow!” and liven up the conversation.

That said, with modern smartphones, the microphone’s performance and the calling app can sometimes let cicada sounds come through.

If this summery sound becomes a topic, it might make people recall their childhood days spent running around or scenes from the countryside.

It’s a warm little quiz that can whisk your heart back to summer with just the chirp of a cicada.

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What is the name of the headache you get when eating cold foods like shaved ice, where your head suddenly aches sharply?

A quiz about relatable topics! Here’s a trivia question: What is the name of the headache you get when your head suddenly aches with a sharp “keen” sensation while eating cold foods like shaved ice? In summer, we often crave chilly treats like shaved ice and ice cream, right? Many people have probably experienced that piercing headache at those times.

It seems that headache is called “ice cream headache.” The mechanism behind this headache is apparently not yet fully understood.