23.七五三
[Keyword]
①七五三は子供の成長を祝う年度行事で11月15日くらいにやる
②女の子の３歳と７歳。男の子の５歳と７歳のお祝いなので。七五三と呼ばれる。
③お子たちは着物、ドレス、スーツを着る。神社に健康に育ったお礼とこの先の加護を願う。
④七五三といえば千歳飴。棒状の紅白の飴で、千歳は千年という意味で、健康と長寿のシンボル。
“Shichi-go-san” is an annual festival to celebrate the healthy growth of children.
It observed on around November 15,
This festival is for girls ages three and seven and boys aged three and five.
That’s why this festival called Shichi-go-san,
Children are dressed in Kimono, dresses and suites and
They are taken into shrines by their parents and grand parents to give thanks for health y growth and play for a divine blessing.
Typical good for this occasion is “Chitose-ame” or Chitose candy which is long red-and-white stick candy.
Chitose means one thousand years and It symbolizes health and longevity.
In my memories for my daughter
Before visiting shrine, our family went to photo studio to take memorial pictures.
I though that it did not take a so long time to do this.
But my daughter seemed to be a little nervous in the unique atmosphere and she couldn’t smile to the camera,.
Female assistants earnestly made funny faces to ease my daughter’s mood.
I and my wife were laughing from the bottom of hearts.
My daughter also showed her lovely smile face at last.
It is our good memory.
[196 words]

24.節分
[Keyword]
①節分は季節の区分。それぞれの季節の初日の前日（要するに大晦日的な日）。
４つの節分の中で立春は特別。一般に節分は春の初日の前日。
陰暦によると２月２か３日・
②この日に、豆まきをする。幸福をもたらし。鬼をおいやると考えられている。
なぜか、年の数だけ豆を食べる。
③地方によって行事が異なり、関西では恵方巻きを食べる。関東では柊ニシンを玄関に飾る。
Setsubun literally means division of seasons,
Setsubun refers to the day before the first day of each season.
Out of all the 4 setsubun days, the first day of spring called “Rissyun” is most special day. Because this day is the New year’s day for lunar calendar.
Therefore generally the term of setsubun is regarded as the day before the the first day of spring.
According to lunar calendar, It is usually held on Feb 2 or 3.
On that day, bean throwing ceremonies are held in homes, shines and temples.
It is believed that this will bring in good fortune and drive away evil spirits.
We throw away beans with saying "Devils out! Happiness in!”
And people often eat beans as numbers as their ages.
Traditional events are different in the regions.
In western area, people eat thick sushi roll called “Ehoumaki” as a practice of superstition.
When people eat it, we must face the year's auspicious direction without speaking.
The other hand, in eastern area, people decorate their house entrances with sardine heads and holly branches.
These items is believed to protect their houses from the demon.
[189 words] 

25.端午の節句
[Keyword]
①端午の節句は5月5日に行われる男の子のお祭りで健やかな成長をお祝いする。
②現在では第2次世界大戦後は国民の祝日として子供の日に変わっているが、伝統的な行事は以前のままです。
③侍の人形や鎧のミニチュアや鯉のぼりを飾る。鯉のぼりは男の子が鯉のように強く逞しく育つよう願いが込められている。
④子供の頃には母親が菖蒲湯を用意してくれて、これも邪気を追い払うとされている。
Tango no Sekku is the boy’s festival observed May 5 to cerebrate the healthy growth of boys.
Today, this day has been changed into the national holiday as the Children’s Day to cerebrate the healthy growth of all children since immediately after WWII.   
Although the main purpose of the day was changed, traditional practice still remains.
Worrier dolls and miniature suit of armor are displayed inside the home and carp-shaped streamer called Koinobori are flown outside.
Koinobori is the symbol of the wish that the boys in the family will grow to be strong and courageous like the carp.
According to Chinese old tradition, the carp is said to become a dragon when it swim up the great river and pass the specific gate.
Therefore the carp is regarded as the symbol of success.
And speaking of another practice of the day
When I recall my childhood, my mother usually prepared bath containing iris leaves called Syoubu-yu.
It is also believed to drive away evil spirits.
Thanks to this superstition, I have not suffered any critical illness and severe injures so far.
Why do not you try it form next year?
[190 words]

26.七夕
[keyword]
①７月７日の星まつり。一年に一度の恋人の再会を祝う。
恋人は彦星と織姫でこの日以外は天の川に隔てられる。
②二人の結婚後、彦星が仕事を怠けるので神の怒りに触れて川の両岸に別れ別れにされた。
③この星の祭りは貴族で執り行われていたが江戸時代に庶民にも広がった。
今日では人々が色とりどりの短冊に願いを書く。日本中で七夕祭りも開催される。
Tanabata, or the Star festival, is held on July 7 is to cerebrate the once a year meeting of two lovers.
Two lovers are the cowherd named Hikoboshi, and the weaver named Orihime.
The rest of the year they are separated by the milky way.
After their marriage, Hikoboshi idled away and didn’t work.
A god got in a fury and split them apart from the two banks of the Milky Way.
However, the god permitted them to reunite once a year on July 7.
This Star Festival was originally held among the aristocrats in the imperial court and was prevalent in commoners during the Edo Period.
Today, people write wishes on strips of colored paper and decorate on branch bamboos.
There are a lot of Tanabata festivals and related events all over Japan during the month of Tanabata.
Two most famous festivals are that in Sendai city and Hiratuska city.
There are magnificent Tanabata decoration in their shopping arcades.
[160 words]