Check my website

https://www.japanesewithnoriko.com/

Discussion and Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think expressions such as “autumn for reading,” “autumn for sports,” “autumn for appetite,” and “autumn for the arts” are commonly used in Japan?
2. Noriko enjoys “autumn for reading” and “autumn for appetite.” What would you like to enjoy during autumn?
3. What kinds of experiences do you think seeing artwork in a museum can give us that we might not experience in everyday life?
4. Noriko was inspired by Frida Kahlo’s way of life, ideas, and paintings. Is there an artist or work of art that has influenced the way you think or live?
5. Do you think the changing seasons affect your mood or the things you want to do? Why?
6. If you could create your own expression, “autumn for _____,” what would your autumn be about?
7. If you were to start a new project this autumn, what would you like to try?

vocabulary list

• 季節 / きせつ / season
• 秋 / あき / autumn
• 読書 / どくしょ / reading books
• 読書の秋 / どくしょのあき / autumn for reading
• 食欲 / しょくよく / appetite
• 食欲の秋 / しょくよくのあき / autumn for enjoying food
• 芸術 / げいじゅつ / art
• 芸術の秋 / げいじゅつのあき / autumn for enjoying the arts
• 考え方 / かんがえかた / way of thinking
• 表現 / ひょうげん / expression
• 最近 / さいきん / recently
• 美術館 / びじゅつかん / art museum
• 今回 / こんかい / this time
• 特別展示 / とくべつてんじ / special exhibition
• 有名 / ゆうめい / famous
• 画家 / がか / painter
• 絵 / え / picture, painting
• 生き方 / いきかた / way of life
• 何度も / なんども / many times, repeatedly
• 繰り返す / くりかえす / to repeat
• 教える / おしえる / to teach
• おすすめ / おすすめ / recommendation

Storybook

https://gemini.google.com/share/d98f1ee7a758

Check Noriko's website

https://www.japanesewithnoriko.com/

1) Discussion and Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think Ken tried to keep working even though he wasn’t feeling well?
2. Do you think Sato’s words made Ken stop and think about his health?
3. Why do you think Ken felt a little relieved after deciding to take time off and rest?
4. Even when work is busy, what kind of mindset do you think is necessary to prioritize your health?
5. In the long run, how do you think “pushing yourself to keep working” and “taking proper time to rest” affect your work differently?
6. In your country or workplace, is it easy to take time off when you’re not feeling well? Why or why not?
7. What do you think we can learn from Ken’s experience about balancing health and work?

2) vocabulary list

• 先日 / せんじつ / the other day, recently
• 風邪をひく / かぜをひく / to catch a cold
• 熱が出る / ねつがでる / to develop a fever
• 喉 / のど / throat
• 体中 / からだじゅう / throughout the body
• 主人公 / しゅじんこう / main character
• 会社員 / かいしゃいん / company employee
• 涼しい / すずしい / cool, refreshing
• 大切 / たいせつ / important
• 昼休み / ひるやすみ / lunch break
• 薬 / くすり / medicine
• 具合 / ぐあい / condition, state of health
• それどころか / それどころか / on the contrary, far from that
• だんだん / だんだん / gradually
• 画面 / がめん / screen
• 顔色 / かおいろ / complexion, facial color
• 頑張る / がんばる / to do one's best
• 集中する / しゅうちゅうする / to concentrate
• 結局 / けっきょく / in the end, eventually
• 状態 / じょうたい / condition, state
• 結果 / けっか / result
• 気づく / きづく / to notice, realize
• 携帯電話 / けいたいでんわ / mobile phone
• 手に取る / てにとる / to pick up, take in one's hand
• 連絡する / れんらくする / to contact
• 目を閉じる / めをとじる / to close one's eyes
• 穏やか / おだやか / calm, peaceful
• 二日後 / ふつかご / two days later
• 無理をする / むりをする / to overdo it, push oneself
• 届ける / とどける / to deliver

Storybook

https://gemini.google.com/share/3d98bee4baf8

Check Noriko's website

https://www.japanesewithnoriko.com/

Grammar points

～のに：Although / Even though

Use ～のに when the result is different from what you expected. It often expresses surprise, disappointment, or dissatisfaction.

• 毎日（まいにち）勉強（べんきょう）しているのに、漢字（かんじ）を覚（おぼ）えられません。
  Even though I study every day, I can’t remember kanji.

• 薬（くすり）を飲（の）んだのに、まだ頭（あたま）が痛（いた）いです。
  Although I took some medicine, I still have a headache.

• このレストランは高（たか）いのに、いつも混（こ）んでいます。
  Even though this restaurant is expensive, it is always crowded.

Questions

1. Ken had to work even though it was his day off. What do you think is important for maintaining a good balance between work and personal time?
2. Ken realised, “Work is important, but having time to rest like this is important too.” What do you think are the benefits of making time to rest when you have a busy life?
3. If you regularly have to work on your days off, how do you think it might affect your daily life and your mood?
4. What does your ideal day off look like? How is it different from a typical workday?