CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter January,January, 202
20 2 1...All year long, that is. So, let’s take a lookat a unique relationship that humans have
had, and are still having, with these mostimpressive beasts.
The sport is called“bull leaping” andit first appears inrecorded history as
far back as 1,400 BCE.
Probably the most famous
image depicting this sport
is the bull leaping frescofrom the Minoan Palace at
Knossos, Crete datingfrom that time.
Modern bullfighting, as
practiced today in Spain,
can trace its origins backto 711 AD, but it probably
has even more ancientroots in the much older
sport of bull leaping.
Today these two sports
are quite different at least
Ellain one respect. The
purpose in both is to test
human courage, but in bullleaping
Janis the animal is notharmed. The goal is to,well, leap over a charging bull (and, presumably,
not get killed in the process!). In this form, it ismostly practiced in Southwestern France, where
the leapers are called “Sauteurs,” as well as inparts of Spain. It is even starting to surface as aspectacle at some rodeos in the U.S., along withthemore“conventional”
sportsoflassoing andwrestling bulls,
riding bucking
broncosorThe famous Minoan Bull Leaping fresco at Knossos wild steers.

Although bull leaping today is practiced as asport/a test of human courage, it is thoughtthat it was connected with much deeper
religious beliefs in its distance past. Even
today, in some societies around the globe, there
are still many examples where bulls, cows andcalves are associated with religious beliefs. The“sacred cows” of India are just one example of thisanimal’s continuedinfluence on humansocieties. Even
the New York
Stock Exchange considersa growing, expanding
market, a “Bull Market.”
Have we humans
associated the bullwith deep spiritualsignificance for millennia?
And has this changed,in Western society atleast, to merely amodern symbol for“good luck”?
And yet, it might bethat the bull has beenwith us in both roles –spiritual or fortune –for even longer thanthe Minoans. Manycave paintings from
antiquity depict bulls orcows (along with otheranimals). One possible reason for this could bethat the tribe’s Shaman/artist wanted to capture
the spirit of the animal before the hunt started
in order to aid the tribe’s huntsmen in bringing
home dinner. Have we been chasing theseancient shadows of our past ever since?

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
Some more on the Minoans:
https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/articles/jumpingbull-leaping-fresco-knossos/

Joshua Says: “When knowledge and ability aren’t enough, be persistent.” “Bepersistent”, that would be a good New Year’s resolution for those who want toimprove their second language skills. Regular and persistent exposure to asecond language such as reading at home, watching foreign movies and TV,etc., is the surest way to enhance and support the development of your second
language skills, so how about making “be persistent” your 2021 resolution?
Junko Says: Recently, I heard that the best way to increase your English
vocabulary and improve your grammar is to read English books. Even TOEIC scorescan be improved if you start reading regularly. They say, it’s better to start readingnovels you can enjoy. And if you get absorbed in the stories, eventually your English
will develop subconsciously. As you know, you can freely borrow short, easy English
stories from our library. So let’s all make a N/Y resolution to read one book a month.
Marek Says: Japan’s poultry farms have recently been affected by an avian
influenza, which originates from Europe, carried by wild birds migrating toKorean peninsula and Japan. The first fatality from H5N8 virus has beenrecorded on November 5 in Kagawa prefecture. The virus has since spread to13 prefectures, predominantly in the west of the country, however it is slowly
progressing eastwards. Every poultry farm discovering the virus has to cull its
live stock. Year 2020 was a hard pill to swallow.
Mandcy dit: Ça y est! C'est la nouvelle année. J'espère que vous avez bien profité desvacances de fin d'année malgré la situation. Cette année, je ne pouvais pas rentrer en France.
Donc, j'ai passé Nouvel-an au Japon. Pas de robes de cocktails, ni de paillettes ou dechampagne au Japon. Mais, un voyage gastronomique. J'ai mangé des sobas, Ozouni, dessushis et j'ai bu beaucoup de saké. C'était délicieux. J'ai visité aussi de sanctuaire de Warei àUwajima. Et j'ai obtenu la prédiction *Daidaikichi*. Incroyable, n'est-ce pas?! J'etais trèsétonnée. Bonne année à vous tous aussi et ne mangez pas trop de galette des rois.
1ACROSS3

1 jumping high
3 a (tribal) holyman
10 jumping vertically (horses, etc)
11 conforming to accepted standards
12 a place where something begins
15 young of various mammals (e.g. cows)
17 power/ability to effect18 linked to, connected to
19 painting on a wall

2

4

5

6
7

8

9
10
11DOWN12
2 a reasonable assumption
4 historically extremely old
5 important in effect or meaning
6 distinctive, one of a kind
7 showing (usually in a picture)
8 track down and locate
9 unbroken semi-wild horses
12 beginnings
13 one thousand years
14 an elaborate, remarkable display
16 from times long past (print version here)

1315

18

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

16

17

1914

Here are some Bull, Cow and Milk Idioms to use you through 2021
Match the idiom on the left with its definition on the right:
1. Until the cows come home (D)A. an expression of great surpriseB. very clumsy

2. A cash cow ( )C. to get the right answer orunderstand the main point

3. Take the bull by the horns ( )D. for a very long time

4. Like a bull in a china shop ( )E. a story that is absolutely untrue,
especially if given as an excuse for

5. A awkward as a cow onroller skates ( )F. careless causing much damage
physically or emotionally to others

6. Don’t cry over spilled milk ( )G. a person or thing that is nevercriticized even if they/it should be

7. Hit the bull’s eye ( )H. confront the situation directly
rather than look for the easy wayout

8. Holy cow ( )9. A sacred cow ( )I. a product or service that makes a
lot of money

10. A cock and bull story ( )J. you can’t change what has
happened, so move on

T H R I V EAEDS L U G S
A L T O G E T H E REPRMOS C A V E N G I N GBRILTHC U L L S
DARIIINABNPS T O C K Y
R E S I G NUPEERTOFRODNYCM O R S E L SATRUITUAI N I T I A L L Y
ERGNINIGO
E Q U I V A L E N T
G N O M ELG

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSSDOWN

1 grow with great success
4 similar to snails but with no shell
5 complete, entirely all
7 feeding on discarded refuse
10 remove things that are not necessary
13 having a short and solid appearance
14 give up, accept as inevitable
17 small quantities of anything
18 at the beginning
19 equal to
20 a mythological creature resemblinga tiny man

2 similar in appearance
3 make more attractive by adding
ornaments
6 described in words or represented
visually
8 nearby
9 sleep during winter
11 an acquired habit or characteristic
12 following in order to overtakeor catch
15 active at night
16 searching for foodDon’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.