転校先での最初の宿題：リサーチペーパー

 

６年生の娘が学校に通って１週間目。相変わらず、「大嫌い」と学校について文句を言いながらも、だんだん笑顔が出てきた。

社会の宿題でリサーチペーパを提出しなければならなくて、日本をテーマにして書くことにしたらしい。

自分なりにインターネットで情報を集めて書いたのがこのペーパー。内容が一般的な気がするけど、日本のいろいろな側面をしっかりまとめて書こうとした努力は認めてあげたい。日本をほめすぎているような気もするんだけど。。。

Japan is a country of the past, present, and future. From the booming business industry and the modern ways of living to the tradition that lasts in the temples and shrines. It is a country located off the coast of East Asia. It consists of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. For a small island nation, it has a large population. The population of Tokyo (the biggest city in the world) is almost equivalent to that of California.

The art in Japan is not only painting and sculpture. It varies from landscape gardening, Ikebana (flower arrangement) and textile printings to stone carving, bonsai (growing of miniature trees), goldfish breeding, and many others. This is called visual arts.

Another beautiful Japanese art is the architecture of temples and shrines. The oldest temple in Japan is The Horyuji of Nara. It was constructed centuries ago. The largest wooden structure in the world is also a temple in Nara, Japan. It is called The Great Buddha Hall of Taodaiji. Temples are very important to the people of Japan. They even build special temples called Pagodas built to withstand earthquakes!

Japan is also well known for its beautiful traditional music. Some instruments are: bamboo flutes, a large variety of drums, and many stringed instruments. Sometimes people play folk songs such as a story about a girl who loses her way and cannot find her way back home.

The art in Japan is beautiful and unique. What makes it unique is the variety of visual arts, the architecture of the temples and shrines, and the peaceful sound of the traditional music.

The typical Japanese worker is very devoted to their work. The working population is very large among both men and women. They take their work seriously. The works often take old inventions and modernize them.

Japans exports and imports a large amount of merchandise. Some of their major exports include road vehicles, and scientific instruments. Some of their major imports include electrical machinery, coal, and lumber.

The Japanese automobile industry is one of the most productive business industries in the world. Some automobile producers are Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Subaru. The designs of the cars you see driving down a street in America may very well have been designed in Tokyo, Japan.

The business industry in Japan is vibrant. The workers work hard and the automobile industry and trade system are very productive. The result of this is quality products that are in high demand all over the world.

People in Japan often go out with friends for relaxation. Teenagers may go downtown to do karaoke or read manga (Japanese comic books). Adults, on the other hand, may go golfing with a group of colleges or take a walk in the neighborhood.

The families in Japan are much alike. The father’s main focus is work whereas the mother’s main focus is taking care of the home and family. The children focus on learning, while the teenagers spend time with their friends and enjoy life.

A typical Japanese day is always very similar. The father leaves to work very early. He works with great concentration and often comes late. When the father comes home from work, the wife gives him all her attention.

On the weekends the father may take his family on a day trip to a historic of scenic place. That is, of course, if he can’t afford golf. If he can, he will do just that and play with great effort. All people in Japan live common lifestyles. Teenagers, adults, and children all do different things, but the all have done it or will do it at some point.

Japan is a fascinating country. Their art, economy and lifestyle is some ways different and in some ways the same than ours. The way they live and the way we live is different but slowly the are becoming more similar.