March 2022

GRAPEVINE

Issue No. 4

March comes in like a lion – Katelyn Sondereker

St. Paddy’s Day – Michael Henderson
On March 17th, there is a holiday celebrated not only

After a cold winter, the world holds its breath, waitingin America but in many other countries around thefor the warmth of spring. Earlier this month, I learned

world! It’s called St. Patrick’s Day, and is a day tothe phrase, “三寒四温” from Naetoko-Sensei, whichcelebrate Irish people and culture. It first started inmeans that as spring begins in Japan, there are three cold

Ireland hundreds of years ago as a religious (宗教的)days and then four warm days. This repeats until, finally,holiday, when Christianity first came to Ireland.

it stays warm.

Nowadays, it is pretty non-religious (非宗教的) holiday,

But in English (especially in Ohio), we have the phrase,

especially in America. But why is this celebrated in“March comes in like a lion (ライオン)”, which means

America if the holiday is about Ireland?

that the beginning of spring is aggressive – it roars like a

America is a country filled with immigrants (移民)lion, it is cold and snowy and harsh. This made me think

and that includes Irish people. About 10% of Americans

about how difficult change can be. Lots of things change

consider themselves to be Irish or Irish-American (アイin the spring – students graduate, teachers leave, yourルランド系アメリカ人), so St. Patrick’s Day is a way toclassmates change. These changes can be sad andcelebrate themselves, their families, and their culture!

difficult to go through. As change happens – as winter is

Usually people wear green, have parties, go to parades,

ending – it can feel like we are being pulled apart.

and drink a lot of beer. A common meal on this day is

But then I remembered that there is a second part ofcorned beef and cabbage, which people will eat at parties

this phrase: “March comes in like a lion and out like aand dinners. Many cities decorate themselves green aslamb (子羊)”. This means that if the beginning of March

well; with lights, paint, and dye! In fact, Chicago turns

is cold and aggressive, the end of March will be soft andits river entirely green using dye on St. Patrick’s Day.

gentle, like a baby lamb. Rain will make the flowers

People may also wear Leprechaun costumes orbloom. The breeze will become warm and comforting.

decorations with shamrocks. But beware! If you don’t
wear green, other people can pinch you (つねる)!

So, even though change is difficult at the beginning,
the warmth that comes after is always worth it. Change

Nowadays, there is some criticism about St. Patrick’s

helps us to become who we are. If we didn`t go throughDay. Some people think it lost its original meaning, andchange, we would always stay the same. Sometimes,

is just a day where people drink too much beer and party.

because we cannot see what is on the other side of

I think this is a little true, especially in America, butchange, it scares us.

there are still many people who go to church, listen to

But nature tells us exactly what happens when things

traditional Irish music, and do Irish dancing. Next timechange. Flowers bloom and the warmth comes. Spring

you’re abroad on St. Patrick’s Day, make sure to wear

reminds us that endings are also new beginnings. Beinggreen!

afraid of change is natural. But it is also natural to havehope. In the Daini yearbook this year, there was a quotethat made me feel this hope: “ If winter comes, canA Leprechaun

spring be far behind?”.

sitting on a pot ofgold, withshamrocks and arainbow.

A picture of theplum blossoms atKengun Shrine.

SPRING WORD SCRAMBLE!
MSSOLOB RERYHC

4.

RMUBLALE______________ _________________________________

2.

5.

WRESLFONIAOATCR__________________________________________

3.

6.

INWOBAR_____________________NDYWI_____________________ANSWERS:

1.

1)CHERRY BLOSSOM 2)FLOWERS 3)RAINBOW 4)UMBRELLA 5)RAINCOT 6)WINDYEnglish Phrase:“The grass is always greener on the other side”
Or “The grass is always greener”
EXAMPLE:
Rebecca: “Ugh, I wish I stayed at my old job. I thought it would be more fun here at McDonalds!”
Alex: “I know, it’s always so busy, I’m surprised you quit your quiet job at the library to come here.”
Rebecca: “Even though it was quiet, it was easy work. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side.”
Meaning: Other people, places, or situations always seems better than yours, even if it’s not actually true!

What do you think this comic means? Come talk to us about it!