White Day · Worksheet 1
A Sweet Answer from Japan
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1In many countries, Valentine's Day is one day of love. But in Japan, there are two. On February 14, many women give chocolate to men. Then, one month later on March 14, men give something back. This second day is called White Day.
2White Day did not come from America or Europe. It was born in Japan in the late 1970s. At that time, Japanese candy makers wanted to sell more sweets in March. A group of candy companies chose March 14 as Candy Day. Their first big event was held in Tokyo in 1980.
3Other people also say they started it. A sweet shop in Fukuoka sold marshmallows with chocolate inside in 1978. The shop called the day Marshmallow Day. Later, everyone used the same name, White Day. White is the color of sugar and pure love.
4Today, people give candy, cookies, and marshmallows. Some give flowers, small bags, or jewelry. Many people also give sweets to friends and coworkers to say thank you. Some people say the return gift should cost three times more, but most people do not follow that idea.
5White Day has also traveled to South Korea, Taiwan, and China. In Korea, men often give big baskets of candy. On April 14, single people there eat black noodles together. But in America and Europe, most people have never heard of White Day. So if a friend from abroad asks, tell them it is a sweet invention from Japan.
- return gift お返し（の贈り物）
- give back お返しをする、返す
- candy maker 菓子メーカー、菓子職人
- marshmallow マシュマロ
- coworker 同僚
- custom 習慣、慣習
- invention 発明（品）
- pure 純粋な、けがれのない
- abroad 海外に、海外で
- basket かご
- jewelry アクセサリー、宝石類
- cost （お金が）かかる