Unofficial Kurushima Quiz

Takehiko Kurushima (1874-1960) was a children's literature author who was active from the Meiji to the Showa era, and is known as the "Andersen of Japan."
He is the person who inspired the start of the "Japan Fairy Tale Festival" in Kusu Town in 1950.
He is such an interesting figure that I decided to make a quiz about him on my own.
Please give it a try.

Question 1: What is Takehiko Kurushima's nickname?
① God of Fairy Tales
② Andersen of Japan
③ The Storytelling Grandpa

Answer: ② Andersen of Japan
(Explanation: He is called this because, like Andersen who spread fairy tales throughout the world, he traveled all over Japan to bring dreams to children.)

Question 2: What unique tool did Takehiko Kurushima use during his oral storytelling to grab children's attention?
① A giant paper fan (harisen)
② A magic wand
③ Handmade picture-story show (kamishibai)

Answer: ① A giant paper fan (harisen)
(Explanation: He would hit his desk with a loud "Bang!" using a large paper fan to instantly capture the children's interest and draw them into the world of his stories. This was one of his trademarks.)

Question 3: What festival did Takehiko Kurushima start in 1950 to celebrate "Children's Day," which is still held in Kusu Town today?
① Kusu River Raft Race
② Japan Fairy Tale Festival
③ Giant Kite Flying Contest

Answer: ② Japan Fairy Tale Festival
(Explanation: It is held every year on May 5th and is famous for giant carp streamers swimming in the sky.)

Question 4: What distinctive outfit did Takehiko Kurushima wear when telling stories?
① Tailcoat
② Montsuki Hakama (formal kimono)
③ Explorer's outfit

Answer: ① Tailcoat
(Explanation: He would dress impeccably in a formal tailcoat, showing respect to the children he performed for.)

Question 5: Which of the following is the message Takehiko Kurushima most wanted to convey to children?
① "Study hard"
② "Become the best in the world"
③ "Persistence is power (it is important to keep going)"

Answer: ③ "Persistence is power"
(Explanation: Through his own example of continuing oral storytelling for over 50 years, he taught the importance of not giving up and keeping at it.)

Question 6: What famous catchphrase did Takehiko Kurushima often say at the end of his stories?
① "Happily ever after"
② "Happy, happy, happy"
③ "Kurushima, Kurushima, how interesting"

Answer: ② "Happy, happy, happy"
(Explanation: He added these words so that the children who listened to his stories would feel happy.)

Question 7: What event did Takehiko Kurushima hold for the first time in Japan, which children look forward to?
① Forest School (Rinkan Gakko)
② Book Report Contest
③ Children's Day

Answer: ① Forest School
(Explanation: In 1904, he opened Japan's first "Forest School" in Kuju Town, Oita Prefecture. He taught the importance of learning in nature.)

Question 8: What activity did Takehiko Kurushima continue for over 50 years to deliver "stories"?
① Traveling in a magic carriage
② Nationwide "oral storytelling" tours
③ Writing 100 letters every day

Answer: ② "Oral storytelling" traveling across the country
(Explanation: He delivered stories to children all over the country using a style called "oral storytelling," where he didn't just read books but told them with rich facial expressions.)

Question 9: When Takehiko Kurushima advocated for making the "Boys' Festival" into "Children's Day" for the sake of children, what was the core idea he valued?
① A day to give presents to children
② A day to respect children's personalities and promote their happiness
③ A day to perform storytelling all day long

Answer: ② A day to respect children's personalities and promote their happiness
(Explanation: Kurushima was one of the advocates for the establishment of "Children's Day." He worked hard to popularize it not just as a day of celebration, but as a day to respect children as individuals.)

Question 10: When Takehiko Kurushima visited Andersen's birthplace in Denmark, he brought something back and spread it in Japan. What was it?
① A replica of Andersen's shoes
② Paper-cutting technique
③ Rose bushes that were blooming in the garden

Answer: ③ Rose bushes that were blooming in the garden
(Explanation: When he visited Denmark in 1926, he brought back roses from Andersen's birthplace. Even today, their descendants are carefully cultivated in various places as "Andersen's Roses.")

Question 11: Where is Takehiko Kurushima's hometown?
① Kusu Town, Oita Prefecture
② Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
③ Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Answer: ① Kusu Town, Oita Prefecture
(Explanation: Kusu Town is known as the "Home of Fairy Tales," and there is still a Takehiko Kurushima Memorial Museum there today.)

Question 12: Takehiko Kurushima's ancestors were a famous group that was active in the Seto Inland Sea. What were they?
① Ninjas
② Murakami Suigun (Pirates)
③ Swordsmiths

Answer: ② Murakami Suigun (Pirates)
(Explanation: He was born into the Mori Domain (Kusu) family line, which descended from the Murakami Suigun of Iyo (Ehime Prefecture).)

Question 13: What was the first organization Takehiko Kurushima created in Japan for the Boy Scout movement?
① Youth Group
② Girl Scouts
③ Cub Scouts (a division for younger children)

Answer: ③ Cub Scouts
(Explanation: He also focused on the education of younger children and became a pioneer of the Cub Scouts in Japan.)

Question 14: What title was Takehiko Kurushima awarded by Denmark, Andersen's home country?
① King of Fairy Tales
② Order of the Dannebrog (Denmark)
③ The World's Best Grandpa

Answer: ② Order of the Dannebrog (Denmark)
(Explanation: He was awarded this by the King of Denmark in recognition of his achievements in spreading Andersen's spirit in Japan.)

Question 15: How many years in total did Takehiko Kurushima travel to deliver "stories" to children?
① About 10 years
② About 30 years
③ Over 50 years

Answer: (3) About 50 years or more
(Explanation: From the Meiji to the Showa era, he spent his entire life delivering stories to children across the country.)

Question 16: What kind of "play" did Takehiko Kurushima incorporate into his storytelling to keep children from getting bored?
① Shadow puppetry
② Finger play and hand games
③ Jump rope

Answer: (2) Finger play and hand games
(Explanation: He incorporated hand games between stories, carefully crafting ways to keep the children engaged.)

He was born in Kusu Town, Oita Prefecture, into a family of Mori clan retainers who were descendants of the Murakami Navy.

His greatest achievement was popularizing "oral storytelling for children," traveling across the country for over 50 years to tell stories directly to children. He captivated many children with his unique style, wearing a formal tailcoat and striking a desk with a large paper fan to grab their attention.

He also played a pioneering role as an educator. In 1904, he held Japan's first "forest school," advocating for learning in nature. Furthermore, he dedicated himself to the development of the Boy Scout movement and laid the foundation for the "Cub Scouts," the junior division.

He was also deeply involved in the establishment of "Children's Day," promoting the philosophy that it should not just be a day of celebration, but a day to "respect children's personalities and plan for their happiness." His spirit, which wished for the happiness of children by chanting "Happy, Happy, Happy" at the end of his stories, continues to be passed on to the next generation through the "Japan Children's Literature Festival" in his hometown of Kusu Town and the Takehiko Kurushima Memorial Museum.