Tsuyu Festival

Multiple Choice

In which month does it rain in Kyoto and Tokyo, based on the images?

• May

• June

• July

• August

Multiple Choice

What does the term 'tsuyu' mean?

• A time of drought

• Annual rainy season

• A summer festival

• A winter celebration

Multiple Choice

When does 'tsuyu' typically happen in Japan?

• January - March

• April - June

• May - July

• August - October

Multiple Choice

What is a hallmark of tsuyu?

• consistent sunny days

• high humidity

• cold temperature

• snowfall

Multiple Choice

What type of flowers blooms during tsuyu?

• roses

• sunflowers

• hydrangeas

• daisies

Rain

​Types of Rain

The Japanese language has many words to describe rain. There are more than 400 different words for types of rain! In English we use 'pitter patter' for the onomatopoeia of rain. In Japan they have 3 different words depending on strength.
Light rain = しとしと = shito shito
Moderate Rain = ぽつぽつ or ぱらぱら = potsu potsu or hara hara
Heavy Rain = ざあざあ= zaa zaa

Tsuyu

​1. The name:

The kanji for ‘tsuyu’ are ‘梅 ume (plum)’ and ‘雨 ame (rain)’, and was originally introduced from China. The kanji 梅雨 has two readings, one is ‘tsuyu’ and the other is ‘baiu’, which is close to the Chinese original pronunciation. There are various theories as to why the name was chosen but a well-known theory is that the word ‘ume’ was first used to mean ‘rain during the ripening period of the plum tree’.

In your books write down 3 facts about the Tsuyu season on Japan.

Stop and Jot!

Choice Board

​Select one or more activities from the list:

How to draw a teru teru doll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4DuZv9IFY4

Make a teru teru doll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKOChs_fKc4

Origami teru teru https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dg3RWry-fU

Colouring In

Kanji writing practice using the calligraphy ink brushes