It is a Japanese custom to give shussan iwai (出産祝い) to the mother and father of a newborn child with whom one has a relationship, such as family, friends, etc. to celebrate the birth of the child. Shussan iwai can consist of cash only placed in an envelope specially made for that purpose called Goshuugibukuro (ご祝儀袋), […]
Halloween Fun at Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi
Halloween is coming up on Sunday, so this week I have something special that is often made at Halloween time in the entrance of my English conversation (英会話) school, Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi (スミス英会話塚口校) in Tsukaguchi(塚口), Amagasaki(尼崎市), Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県). I show it to students after their lessons before they leave and ask them what it’s […]
Autumn in Japan and This Year’s Maple (紅葉) Color Change Event
Autumn is my favourite season in Japan. Like Canada, Japan has Maple trees (紅葉 or Momiji) with leaves that change to beautiful colors in autumn and are a lovely sight to enjoy alone or with others. Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi (スミス英会話塚口校), my English conversation school (英会話スクール) in Tsukaguchi (塚口), Amagasaki (尼崎市), Hyogo Prefecture […]
