“The Master said, “A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon 'The Way'. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby clothing or modest meals is not even worth conversing with.” (Analects 4.9)” ― Confucius
INTRODUCTION
This week's CST activities session focused on 'The Far East' - China, Japan and other countries in that region. The reason being 'Chinese New Year' will be celebrated on 22nd January 2023.
We started the discussion by asking ...
Has anyone visited the Far East, for holidays or work?
Where did people go, what did they think about the country they visited, the people, the language and food?
Would anyone like to visit? What are the reasons for members' responses?
What comes to mind when people think about Asian countries?
Responses could range from polite and respectful people, clean streets, beautiful scenery and fantastic architecture to wonderful foods.
Next, we reminded members that 2024 is 'Year Of The Dragon'. Above is an illustration of what happens on each day of the week of the new year.
According to the Chinese calendar, the year you were born might determine your personality. That’s because each year is represented by an animal, called a Chinese zodiac sign, and legend has it that people born under that sign have similar traits to the animal.
The personality traits of people born in the year of the dragon are: charismatic, intelligent, confident, powerful and they are naturally lucky and gifted. In everything that they do, they tend to do it to the best of their ability with high standards. 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you're seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance.
Here are the other animals ...
And some more detailed information ... https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/which-chinese-new-year-animal-are-you-like
How the 12 years of the Chinese Zodiac got their names
Many people have wondered over the years how it was that the rat, the smallest of all the creatures, was given the honour of having the first year of the Chinese Zodiac named after him.
A very long time ago, the Jade Emperor, who ruled the heavens of China, sent a message to all the animals asking them to come together so that he could give each of them a year, which would make it easier for the people of China to keep track of time. The cat and the rat were good friends and decided to travel to meet the Jade Emperor together.
When it came time to leave, however, the cat was taking a nap. The rat, realising that he would have to use all his cunning to be noticed by the Jade Emperor, left his friend sleeping, and set off on his own. This is why there is no year named after the cat, and also why cats have hated rats ever since.
When the rat arrived, the Jade Emperor welcomed him and the other animals and told them that they should all take part in a swimming race. Once again, the rat realised that he would have to be very clever if he wanted to win the race. He found the largest, strongest animal, which was the ox, and pleaded with him to let him ride on its head. The ox was kind and strong, and agreed that they would swim across together. The rat travelled safely across the river on the ox’s back, but, just before they reached the other side, climbed over the ox's head, jumped onto land, and reached the finish line first. The rat had proved its cunning, and the Jade Emperor named the first year after the rat and the second year after the ox.
The order of winning —— Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig
Here is a short animated video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVClAj8q_lY
IDIOMS
To get people thinking, we next asked members to complete the following idioms about China and Japan, as well as those which have been 'borrowed' from the region...
Not for all the tea in - CHINA (no way!) China - SYNDROME (Nuclear reactor meltdown) Made in - TAIWAN (A derisory term about product quality) Like a bull in a china - SHOP (A clumsy person) Slowboat to - CHINA (something that takes a very long time) China - DOLL (Something that is very fragile) China - PLATE (Cockney rhyming slang for 'mate') Chinese - BURN (children hurt each other in the playground by twisting each others' wrists)
To fall on your - SWORD (assume responsibility or blame, or more literally commit HARI KARI) Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for - A LIFETIME
We also thought about ...
IDIOMS ABOUT ANIMALS IN THE CHINESE ZODIAC
Smell a - RAT (suspect foul play) As strong as an - OX (powerful) The eye of the -TIGER (song by 'Survivor') Pull a - RABBIT - out of the hat (come up trumps) Chase the - DRAGON (inhale opium fumes) SNAKE - in the grass (untrustworthy person) You can take a - HORSE - to water, but you can't make it drink (you can't force a person to do something) A wolf in - SHEEP'S - clothing (a dangerous person) Cheeky - MONKEY (mischievous person) Little red - ROOSTER ('Rolling Stones' song) As sick as a - DOG (extremely ill) Eat like a - PIG (eat messily and excessively)
Can anyone think of any other idioms to add to this list?
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
BONUS ROUND. Dragons
What was the name of the dragon in 'The Clangers'?
Which Harry Potter book/movie featured a dragon?
Which dragon featured in 'The Hobbit' & 'The Lord Of The Rings'?
Which bear met the Emperor's pet dragon?
Which country has a red dragon on its flag?
In which movie did Sean Connery play the part of a dragon?
Name the flower? Name the insect? Which patron saint stayed a dragon?
SINGALONG. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7lmAc3LKWM (lyric video)
Where did the Puff the magic dragon live?
ROUND 1. Around & About
1. China is known by which other name? | |
2. What is Japan known as? | |
| 3. What is the capital of China? |
| 4. What is the capitol of Japan? |
| 5. What is the highest mountain in Japan? |
| 6. What is the highest mountain in the world? T or F. It is growing by 4mm a year? |
| 7. What is the name of this traditional sailboat you might find in 'Kowloon Bay', Hong Kong? |
| 8. What is the name of this traditional Chinese mode of transport? |
| 9. Where in London is 'China Town'? |
| 10. What might you see in 'China Town' on Chinese New Year? |
SONG BREAK. 'China In Your Hand', T'Pau - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4sV3lqzKqQ
ROUND 2. Food & Drink
11. What is the sweet Chinese biscuit with a good luck paper charm inside called? | |
| 12. What do Chinese people traditionally cook in? |
| 13. What do Chinese people traditionally eat with? Where is rice traditionally grown? Here is a link to a Liberace rendition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jruN-ZTIdak&t=1s |
| 14. What is this Japanese dish made of raw fish and rice wrapped in seaweed called? There is a link here to a sketch by Miranda Hart - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2300688153483897 |
| 15. Which native East-Asian plant is the richest natural vegetable food? (A sauce used in everyday cooking is made from it!) |
16. What is the name given to Chinese dumplings?
| |
| 17. What whiteish/pinkish fruit do Chinese people enjoy for dessert? |
| 18. What colour tea is the most popular drink in China? (Can anyone think of any UK brands of tea?) Here is an advert for one of them - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzEBLa3PPk |
| 19. What is rice wine called in Japan (you can have it hot or cold)? (Has anyone tried it?) |
| 20. What is your favourite Chinese dish or sauce? Or name as many as you can? |
SONG BREAK. 'China Girl', David Bowie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK6gAbZdhDc
ROUND 3. Culture & Tradition
| 21. How long is the 'Great Wall Of China'? T or F. The 'Great Wall Of China' is longer in miles than it is to fly from London to Beijing? |
| 22. What figures were discovered in 1974, buried nearby Qin Shi Huang's (First Emperor Of China) mausoleum? |
| 23. What is the name of this famous Japanese train, one of the fastest in the world?
(How fast do members reckon it can travel at?)
|
| 24. What do Pandas eat an exclusive diet of?
There is a link here to a LOVELY sketch of a Panda playing in the snow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGpYs8Bexak
|
| 25. Which dog of Chinese origin has a name which translates as 'Lion Dog'?
(I'm sure there is a Christmas Cracker joke associated with this dog!)
|
| 26. Which ancient tile game is still popular in China? (Can anyone play it?) |
| 27. What is the Japanese art of sculpting miniature trees called?
|
| 28. What is the Japanese art of arranging furniture in tune with energy lines to harmonise people with their environment known as? |
| 29. What is the traditional Japanese art of folding paper to make 3D objects called? |
| 30. What are Japanese female entertainers and hostesses dressed in traditional costume known as? What gowns do they wear? |
| 31. What Japanese warriors had a sword named after them? |
| 32. What is this form of Japanese wrestling known as? How do wrestlers win a game? |
SONG BREAK. 'Turning Japanese', The Vapors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx3HA-F8iVE
ROUND 4. People
| 33. Who is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a voice for world peace? |
| 34. Who was the first person to conquer Everest and in which year? |
35. Which fictional monster might you meet in the Himalayas? | |
| 36. Name this famous British/Chinese fashion guru, who knows 'How To Look Good Naked'? |
| 37. Name this famous Chinese/American chef? |
| 38. Which world leader did Donald Trump call 'Little Rocket Man'?
Which country is he dictator of?
|
| 39. Which character did George Takei play in the original 'Star Trek' series? |
40. Who was Inspector Clouseau's Chinese manservant in 'The Pink Panther' films? | |
| 41. Who starred in the 1987 American war comedy 'Good Morning Vietnam'? |
| 42. Which martial arts TV show did David Carradine star in? What was his character's name? |
SONG. 'Kung Fu Fighting', Carl Douglas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfudW7rbG0 Has anyone practised a martial art, or been awarded a Belt?
ROUND 5. Music
Maybe ask members to choose just a couple of these to play by way of finishing?
'We Are Siamese', Lady And The Tramp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG5mOd8Ubsk
43. What breed of dog was Lady?
'Three Little Maids From School', The Mikado - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXWkIZUPmDY
44. Who wrote this comic operetta?
'Madame Butterfly', Maria Callas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmfw17L_Deo
45. Who wrote this renowned opera?
'One Night In Bangkok', Murray Head - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgc_LRjlbTU
46. This song is from the musical 'Chess'. What are the pieces in a chess set?
'On A Little Street In Singapore', The Manhattan Transfer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaO93JXJook
47. What was their only number 1 hit in 1977 (it had a French title)?
'Hong Kong Garden', Siouxsie And The Banshees - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-l9GQJRl9Y
48. What is the luckiest number in China? (Does anyone have a lucky number?)
'Nine Million Bicycles', Katie Melua - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHQG6-DojVw
49. What do you call a bicycle made for two?
Does anyone ride a bicycle? Who never learned?
'Year Of The Cat', Al Stewart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i46s52JAUE
50. Back to where we started, is there a 'Year Of The Cat'?
FINAL SINGALONG. 'Getting To Know You', The King And I - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlx6gQWfjp0
51. Who starred in the 1956 musical film 'The King And I?
What is Siam known as today?
Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.
Getting to know you,
Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
Getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you,
Putting it my way, but nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.
'Chinese Girl' is a 1952 painting by Vladimir Tretchikoff (see above). It became one of the world's most popular when made into prints in the 1950s and 60s. Who has seen this painting before? Or had it hanging in their family home?
PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES AIMED AT ENJOYMENT
Bring some food and drink items to taste, including prawn crackers, spring rolls, vegetarian sushi and tinned lychees.
To make the session more fun give people chopsticks to try eating with.
Offer flavoured iced teas and give everyone a fortune cookie to open.
Help members to make some Origami. Most will be familiar with this one from childhood -
'Make A Paper Fortune Teller' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAhiIlTxUYA
Or you could get members writing their names in Chinese, using calligraphy pens and card. You can find an English to Chinese name translator here https://chinese.gratis/names/
Here is Simon ...
Or you could download some adult colouring templates from the web. There are loads of Koi Carp to choose from.
Or, you could get members to practice some simple Thai Chi moves? Perhaps, following this introductory video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBR5MZmEsY
Whatever you do decide on, have fun and celebrate members' engagement.
ANSWERS
DRAGONS BONUS ROUND
What was the name of the dragon in 'The Clangers'? SOUP DRAGON
Which Harry Potter book/movie featured a dragon? SORCERER'S STONE
Which dragon featured in 'The Hobbit' & 'The Lord Of The Rings'? SMAUG
Which bear met the Emperor's pet dragon? RUPERT
Which country has a red dragon on its flag? WALES
In which movie did Sean Connery play the part of a dragon? BRAVEHEART
Name the flower? SNAPDRAGON
Name the insect? DRAGONFLY
Which patron saint stayed a dragon? ST GEORGE
Where did Puff the magic dragon live? "by the sea" in the fictional land of "Honah Lee"
ROUND ONE
1. 'THE RED DRAGON' OR 'THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC'
2. 'THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN'
3. BEIJING
4. TOKYO
5. MOUNT FUJI (Last erupted 1707) (12,393 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL)
6. MOUNT EVEREST (29,029 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL) / TRUE
7. JUNK
8. RICKSHAW
9. GERRARD STREET, SOHO
10. CHINESE DRAGONS, CHINESE LANTERNS, FIRECRACKERS, DRUMS, HAPPY CHINESE PEOPLE IN TRADITIONAL DRESS
ROUND TWO
11. FORTUNE COOKIE
12. WOK
13. CHOPSTICKS / PADDY FIELDS
14. SUSHI
15. SOYA (EDAMAME BEANS)
16. DIM SUM
17. LYCHEE
18. GREEN TEA
19. SAKI
20. SOY, HOISIN, SWEET AND SOUR, BLACK BEAN, OYSTER, SZECHUAN & SATAY
ROUND THREE
21. 5,500 MILES (It can be seen from space!) / TRUE. TheGreat Wall of China is 21,000 km (13, 000 miles) long, whereas London to Beijing is 8143 km (5060 miles).
22. THE TERRACOTTA ARMY (More than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots and 670 horses were found buried!)
23. BULLET TRAIN (max speed recorded at 375 mph)
24. BAMBOO
25. SHIH TZU
26. MAHJONG
27. BONSAI
28. FENG SHUI
29. ORIGAMI
30. GEISHA GIRLS / KIMONO
31. SAMURAI
32. SUMO / THEY PUSH THEIR OPPONENT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE
ROUND FOUR
33. THE DALAI LAMA
34. EDMUND HILLARY ACCOMPANIED BY SHERPA TENZING (29th May 1953)
35. THE YETI OR ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN
36. GOK WAN
37. KEN HOM
38. KIM JON UN / North Korea
39. HIKARU SULU
40. CATO FONG
41 ROBIN WILLIAMS
42. 'KUNG FU' / 'GRASSHOPPER'
43. AN AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL
44. GILBERT & SULLIVAN
45. GIACOMO PUCCINI (Has anyone seen this opera? Apparently the musical 'Miss Saigon' is based on it.)
46. KING, QUEEN, BISHOPS, KNIGHTS, ROOKS, PAWNS
47. 'CHANSON D'AMOUR'
48. EIGHT
49. TANDEM
50. NO
51. DEBORAH KERR AND YUL BRYNNER / THAILAND