[Trivia] Challenge! Spring General Knowledge Quiz

stem

Bamboo shoots are in season in spring. Because they grow in the soil, you might think we’re eating the roots, but in fact what we usually eat is the stem of the bamboo shoot. They have husks to protect themselves from wild animals, and as these husks peel away over time, they become bamboo.

harbinger of spring (often refers to the Japanese bush warbler, 'uguisu')

The Japanese bush warbler is also known as the “harbinger of spring.” It’s called this because it begins singing earlier than any other bird in early spring, just when it feels like you can almost hear the footsteps of the season approaching. By the way, the famous “hoo-hokekyo” call is heard only in spring; in other seasons, it sings differently.

It is shipped immediately after harvest.

Regular onions are shipped after being dried following harvest. In contrast, new onions are shipped immediately after harvest. As a result, they contain more moisture, are softer, and are less pungent than regular onions, making them easier to eat raw. However, they do not keep well, so be sure to consume them promptly.

To conceal uneven coloring

Color irregularities can occur in the leather materials used during the production of randoseru. Black and red tend to make such irregularities less noticeable, so they were commonly used to conceal the appearance.

return of the cold snap

As the warmth of spring continues, a sudden return of winter-like cold is called “kannomodori.” Another term used around the same time is “hanabie,” which refers to the chill that comes during cherry blossom season, when people go out for flower viewing. Even in warm spring, mornings and evenings can be cold, regardless of kannomodori or hanabie. If you go to see the cherry blossoms at night, be mindful of what you wear!

asparagus

“Ryūhizuna” (literally “dragon’s beard greens”) is the kanji used to represent asparagus, which is in season in spring. The name comes from reasons such as the asparagus shoot looking like a dragon’s beard. Asparagus is rich in nutrients, including aspartic acid, which may help with fatigue recovery, and folic acid, which is recommended for pregnant women.

Yasukuni Shrine

The official announcement of cherry blossom flowering in Tokyo is based on a designated sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward. Originally, the sample cherry tree used for the announcement was located at the Japan Meteorological Agency, but in 1966 it was changed to the cherry tree at Yasukuni Shrine.