Pop Quiz

The trip coordinator, and new friend, Kumiko-san gave me some stamps. These are not the kind of stamps Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Harder and Mrs. Roscoe like - these are postage stamps! Kumiko-san tore these off letters mailed to her. In addition to being colorful and beautiful, they contain images of things important to Japanese culture. Notice that each one has the word Nippon. This is Japanese for Japan and is pronounced “Nee-hon”

I have several questions for you about these stamps. You will need to work as a family team to figure out the answers. One KenYen for each correct answer. Yup, you can earn 6 KenYen with this post.

Just to set the mood, imagine me singing the Jeopardy! theme in Japanese. (It sounds exactly like the Jeopardy! theme in English.)

Ready? Set? GO!

Stamp number "ichi"

This stamp shows a pagoda behind cherry tree blossoms. The Japanese government gave 3,000 cherry trees to the U.S. as a gift in 1912. Where are they planted?

Stamp number "ni"

In the heart of Tokyo is the Tokyo tower. It was built in 1953 and is copies after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Although it is used as a broadcasting relay tower it has an observation deck so see a great view of the city. Which is taller, the Eiffel or Tokyo tower and by how much.

Stamp number "san"

On the left is a red torii, an entry gate to a temple, shrine or sacred place. On the right are several bright green leaves that are turning yellow, orange and red. It is unlikely you will find these trees growing Monument because they much prefer moist soil. What sort of tree is it?

Stamp number "shi"

If you’ve been earning KenYen this one is easy. What is the name of this bridge and why is it famous?

Stamp number "yon"

This is the Japanese bullet train. It’s the fastest train in the world. How fast does it go?

Stamp number "go"

Look in the background first. There is Mount Fuji. If you had to guess, what type of apples are in the foreground?

Just in time. The Jeopardy! theme ended. Nicely done.