CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊsStudi oÊs Newsletter April,April , 201
20 1 8Why do people jump, shake, twirl, twist, skip
and move in the most unpredictable directions,contorting their bodies into the most impossible
shapes, and simply call it dancing? Humanbeings have indulged in this unique form ofexpression ever since we took up residence incaves millennia ago, perhaps even back before we
discovered that caves made good homes.
As a primal form of communication, dance has
been a part of ancient rituals, sacred gatheringsand social events since antiquity. And its basic
purpose hasn’t changed very much to this day.
Theoldest
physicalrecords we have of societies
indulging in this pastime
come for 9,000 year old
Indian cave paintings. These
images depict scenes of hunting, childbirth,religious rites and communal dancing anddrinking.
But we also have stylized representations ofanimals in caves in many parts of theEllaworldthat go back many more thousands of years
into the distant past. It has been theorized
that
these cave paintings possibly represented
Janis
the “spirits” of the animals the tribal huntersintended to hunt. If a stone-age artist could“capture” the spirit of an animal before thehunt, perhaps the tribe’s hunters would havebetter luck catching the real thing. Could
tribal “holy men” have also helped with “soulcatching” dances to help the hunt as well?
Whatever their practical function, paintingsand dancing represent an important step inthe evolution of “intelligent man”; namely theevent of abstract thought. Those cave
paintings and ancient dances were, to be sure,a form at communication among the membersof the tribe. But more significantly, the artists
were using abstract symbolism to represent
something beyond the tribe’s immediatesurroundings, beyond the cave walls or thedances themselves. And so the telling of“stories”– tall or otherwise – began.

With expanding consciousness man began toquestion the purpose of his existence. Dancing
shaman and other “spirit-mediums” attempted
to convey some of the answers. Egyptians
started using dance as an integral part of theirreligious ceremonies in the third millennia BC.
The Greeks, Romans and other early
civilizations followed their example. Art, bothdance and painting/sculpture, became amediator between man and his gods.
Of course not all dancing in those ancient times
was meant for religious purposes. People also
danced forpure entertainment, simple
celebration, courtship or just exhilaration. Comethe Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Europe
and dance for most people had become a narrative
for human relationships. It was even further
stylized in this context by the wealthy classes
during the Renaissance with the advent of ballet.
Dance as a simple symbolic narrative is stillpracticed on stages, in discos and other dancehalls throughout the world today. Innocent
enough in its intent and far removed for its dark
and primeval past. Or is it? Could there be
hidden in dance’s “subconscious” a lurking anddangerous primordial force?
Strasbourg, now in France, was the site of a mostunusual event – “The Dancing Plague of 1518.” In July ofthat year, Frau Troffea walked into the street, (presumably)
kicked off her shoes and started to dance. And she didn’t
stop for at least four (some records suggest six) days; norest, no food, no sleep! Not only that, within a month 400
more were following her example. This “dance” lasted
three months and at its
height some 15 people
weredyingfromexhaustion every day!
From assisting the hunt,communicating with the gods,
to Fran Troffea, and even to modern-day raving, can wereally know what dancing is and why we do it...?

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
Go here for more on the history of dance:
www.dancefacts.net/dance-history/history-of-dance/

Joshua Says: Last month we bid a fond farewell to Perry who left us to takeup teaching at a university in Kyushu. While I wish Perry good luck in his
new post, this month I also extend a warm welcome to our new teacher, Mark.
All indications suggest that there has been a renewed interest in studying
English in Matsuyama recently, and I am sure Mark will have much to offer
our students in this new revival of interest.
Junko Says: Overseas study programs for “busy working people:” Even if as short as1 week, you can take 20 to 40 lessons in 5 native English countries as well as other
European countries. These include study for language proficiency tests, careerdevelopment and culture and art courses. Fees are as little as ¥72,000 to ¥100,000
including home-stay (with meals). I would strongly recommend these programs when
you have a chance to travel overseas. For more information, ask me in the office.
It's a pleasure to introduce myself as Crossroads' newEnglish teacher. My name is Mark Evison and I'm originally fromDerbyshire, England. I have wide-ranging life experience, andhave been teaching for 13 years. I love cycling and bonsai, and I
am very excited to be living and working in Matsuyama. I lookforward to helping your English progress soon.
Mark Says:

Darrin Says: One thing that’s been great about moving back to live inMatsuyama, has been that I’ve been able to enjoy more quality time with mydaughter then I was able to do back in Australia. And the thing we have been
enjoying the most is our walks, especially during the recent glorious weather
we’ve had here. We live pretty close to the city centre and from there we’ve
walked all over Matsuyama. Our favourite walk is up to the castle, but we’vealso enjoyed walks to Sogo and Dogo parks. I’m looking forward to many more.
Mandcy dit: Connaissez-vous la chasse aux œufs ?? Les petits français
attendent avec impatience le dimanche de Pâques. Car selon la tradition, lescloches jettent du chocolat dans les jardins et les parcs. Et les enfants ytrouvent des poules et des œufs en chocolats. Avril est un mois très gourmand
donc n’hésitez pas à manger des choses délicieuses et profiter des beaux jours.
1ACROSS
1 lacking nothing essential
4 essential, fundamental
5 a religious ceremony
8 twisting or pressing out of shape
9 hiding intending an attack
11 story-line following a course of events
12 go between, especially for negotiations
14 show as in a picture
15 turn in a twisting or spinning motion
DOWN
2 an extremely old period in history
3 enjoyed to excess
6 feeling of lively, cheerful joy
7 actual or real
8 make known
10 anticipated or planed outcome
13 participating in an all-night dance party (print version here)

2345

6789101114

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

121513

Darkest Hour
That’s me!

While we congratulate Japan’s Kazuhiro Tsuji on winning the Oscar for “best makeup andhairstyling” and turning Gary Oldman (also the Oscar winner for “best actor) into Winston
Churchill in “Darkest Hour”, let’s take a moment and think about the subject of this movie:
Churchill. Everyone is familiar with the name, and for those who want to learn more there
are many books and other records available. But for a quick insight into how the manthought, there is no better way than to read some of his quotations. See if you can get themeaning of these:

S T R I F ERPULAONIP O V E R T YTPATOG R O S S I N GRUEACW A S T E L A N DYS
HC
D E P I C T E DP A R T I C U L A R L Y
DDDOE
P R E D O M I N A N T L YKPILE X - C O NF I C T I O NKSSS H O R T A G ELast Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
1 bitter conflict
6 a state of having on money
7 earning before tax
8 an uninhabitable wilderness
11 represented graphically
12 specifically or especially
13 much greater in number or
influence
14 former prisoner (hyphenated)
15 based on imagination
16 an amount that is less

DOWN
2 turns or tosses over with a sharp
movement
3 violated or destroyed by force
4 represented or described
5 not effected or influenced by
9 to gain through effort
10 assistants or companions

Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.