February in Japan

Japanese schools start in April. February is the time for tests – there are tests for entering universities, colleges, high Schools, and also some private/national junior high schools this month. People tend to believe that having degrees from top universities lead to their future success, thus the entrance exams are quite competitive – people call this “jukenjigoku” (examination hell).

February the 3rd is called Setsubun, and this is the turning point from winter to spring on the lunar calendar. On this day, a bean-throwing is held to celebrate the coming of spring and drive away evil spirits. It maybe different depending on the districts, but Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, Toshiotoko (men who are born under the same zodiac sign as the current year) and Toshionna (women who are born under the same zodiac sign as the current year), at home the head of the house play a devil while other family members throw roasted soybeans shouting “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (Evil spirits outside, good luck within). People believe that if you ate the same number of beans as your age, you will stay healthy throughout the year.

February the 4th is called Risshun, which means the first day of spring. February is the coldest month of the year, but there are some areas where plum blossoms and daffodils start blooming. Because Japan lies between northern latitude of 24 degrees and 45 degrees, Okinawa in south may be 20℃, but Hokkaido in north may be only minus 3 degrees.

* Interested in teaching English in Japan?
Please visit www.irislinguistics.ca

日本の２月

日本の学校は４月に始まります。２月は受験シーズンで、大学や高校、私立や国立の中学に入る入学試験があります。日本では、いい大学に入ることが将来の成功につながるという考えから入学試験は競争が厳しく、受験地獄と言う言葉もあります。

２月３日は「節分」と呼ばれ、暦の上では冬と春とに分かれる日です。節分には鬼を追い払って新しい春をむかえるために豆まきをします。地方によって異なりますが、神社やお寺では年男と年女が豆まきを行い、家では家の主人が鬼となり、「鬼は外、福は内」と叫びながら豆まきをします。年齢と同じ数の豆を食べると健康な一年を送ることができると言われています。

２月４日は「立春」と呼ばれ春の初めを意味します。２月は一年で最も寒い月ですが、梅や水仙などの花が咲き始める地方もあります。日本は北緯２４度から北緯４５度までの南北に長い国ですから、南にある沖縄は摂氏２０度以上あっても、北の北海道ではマイナス３度しかないということになります。

＊日本で英語を教えることにご興味のある方は、
ホームページ　www.irislinguistics.ca　をご覧ください。