Greenery Day · Worksheet 1
A Holiday That Moved
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1May 4 is Greenery Day in Japan. It is a day to enjoy nature and to say thank you for it. It sits between Constitution Memorial Day and Children's Day, right in the middle of Golden Week. Many people go to parks, gardens, and mountains on this day.
2But Greenery Day was not always on May 4. From 1989 to 2006, it was on April 29. That day was the birthday of Emperor Showa, who died in January 1989. People did not want to lose a spring holiday. So the government kept the day and gave it a new name.
3Why did they choose the word greenery? Late April is the season of fresh green leaves. Also, Emperor Showa was a scientist. He studied tiny sea animals and slime molds, and he loved plants. He once said that he did not like the word weeds, because it felt a little rude to plants.
4In 2007, April 29 became Showa Day. Greenery Day moved to May 4. The move was only five days on the calendar. Before that, May 4 was a day off only because it was between two holidays. Now it has its own name.
5On Greenery Day, many public parks let people in for free. Families have picnics under the new leaves, and some people plant trees. In April and May, the government also gives a prize to scientists who study plants and forests. It is a simple holiday with a big idea. Nature gives us so much, so let's take care of it.
- greenery （草木の）緑、青葉
- nature 自然
- emperor 天皇、皇帝
- scientist 科学者
- slime mold 粘菌、変形菌
- weed 雑草
- rude 失礼な
- used to 以前は〜だった
- free 無料の
- plant 植える／植物
- picnic ピクニック、屋外での食事
- take care of 〜を大切にする、世話をする