Culture, Government, And Geography

Front 1

Year 2011

Back 1

平成２３年
へいせい２３ねん

Front 2

Current Japanese Prime Minister

Back 2

Kan Naoto
管　直人

Front 3

浦島太郎
うらしまたろう

Back 3

Young man saved a turtle being bullied by some kids, the turtle is the Turtle Emperor's daughter, Urashima Tarou gains gills and goes to live underwater with the turtles. Goes back to shore, but three hundred years had passed. Was told not to open the box that contained his old age, but opens it absently and turns into an old man.

Front 4

桃太郎
ももたろう

Back 4

Peach Boy, born from a peach to an elderly couple. Went to Oni Island with a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant as his partners to fight demons. Returned home with the demon's treasure and the demon chief as captive.

Front 5

きんたろう
金太郎

Back 5

Golden Boy, a very strong boy that wrestles with animals such as bears in the mountains and he always wins. Is looked up to as a symbol of strength and courage.

Front 6

いっすんぼうし
一寸法師

Back 6

There lived an elderly, childless couple. An old woman wishes for a child, "Please, please let us have a child, no matter how small." Eventually, a son was born to them, but he was no larger than a grown man's fingertip. Issunboushi goes to seek his place in the world. Fancying himself a miniature samurai, Issun-bōshi is given a sewing needle for a sword, a soup bowl for a boat, and chopsticks for oars. He sails down river to the city, where he petitions for a job with the government and goes to the home of a wealthy daimyo, whose daughter is an attractive princess. He is scorned for his height, but nevertheless given the job of accompanying the princess as her playmate. While they travel together, they are suddenly attacked by an oni, who deals with the pesky boy by swallowing him. The boy defeats the Oni by pricking him from within with his needle/sword. The Oni spits out Issun-boshi and drops the magical Uchide's Mallet as he runs away. As a reward for his bravery, the princess uses the power of the mall

Front 7

かぐや姫
かぐやひめ

Back 7

Princess born from bamboo who grows up and then returns to the moon.

Front 8

すずき　いちろう

Back 8

Baseball, Seattle Mariners

Front 9

まつざか　だいすけ

Back 9

Baseball, Boston Red Sox

Front 10

まつい　ひでき

Back 10

Baseball, Oakland Athletics

Front 11

きむら　こうすけ

Back 11

Soccer, Colorado Rapids

Front 12

北海度　アイヌ

Back 12

Indigenous people of Hokkaido. Came from Russia.

Front 13

札幌

Back 13

ビール
ラーメン
雪祭り

Front 14

東北

Back 14

東北大地震
The Great East Japan Earthquake
March 11, 2011