2025/11/8(Sat.)*SMC*
- sagamiharacity
- 3 日前
- 読了時間: 9分
更新日：15 時間前
Lecture
(1) Fill-in-the-blank test: SM Takahata
(1) A: Many of the mayor’s campaign promises have *1 died on the (v ).
B: Definitely! He is just saying that. His pledges are nothing more than *2 smoke and (m ).
*1: = to fail, especially at an early stage, because of a lack of support
*2: = something intended to make you believe that something is being done or is true, when it is not
A: 市長の公約のほとんどが立ち消えになったね。
B:まったくだ。あの人は口先だけだよ。公約なんてごまかしでしかないわ。
(Answer:*1 vine, *2 mirrors)
(2) I don’t think I have a*1 (k ) for choosing women. My ex-girlfriend simply regarded me as a *2 (s ) daddy. She has *3 (sc ) up my life.
*1: = a special skill or ability that you usually gain by practice
*2: = an older man who gives a young woman presents and money in return for her company or often for sex
*3: = to make someone feel very unhappy, confused or anxious, especially for a long time
僕には女性を見る目がないようです。別れた彼女は結局のところ僕を援助交際相手の中年男
としか見ていなかったのです。人生をめちゃめちゃにされました。
(Answer: 1 knack, 2 sugar, *3 screwed)
(3) Hiroshi is the type of man who *1 shoots from the (h ) without considering the consequences. I have a gut feeling that his sales strategy *2 is (do ed) to fail again.
*1: = to react quickly without thinking carefully about something
*2: = to be destined to fail
ヒロシは衝動的に行動して、後先を考えないタイプよ。彼の販売戦略は今後も確実に失敗する気がするわ。
(Answer: 1 hip, 2 doomed)
(4) Despite the expensive advertising campaign, the action movie *1 laid an (e ) with critics and audiences. It was just a *2 (w ed)-over version of “Die Hard.”
*1: = to make a mistake or be unsuccessful
*2: = using an idea that has been used before and is not new or interesting
大々的な宣伝にもかかわらず、そのアクション映画は評論家や観客に全くウケませんでした。「ダイハード」の焼き直しに過ぎなかったのです。
(Answer: 1 egg, 2 warmed)
(5) I 1 fell (v ) to the con man and lost what little savings I had. I learned the hard way that I shouldn’t trust 2 get-rich-(q ) schemes and dubious investment proposals.
*1:= to become a prey of
*2: = used to describe a plan or wish to make a lot of money in a short time
あの詐欺師にひっかかってなけなしの貯金を失ってしまった。うまい話や怪しげな投資の勧誘を信用しちゃいけないって、身をもって学んだよ。
(Answer: *1 victim, *2 quick)
(6) The entrepreneur was once *1 the person of the (h ), but since the payoff scandal came to light, he’s
*2 fallen from (g ) and disappeared from *3 the (lim ).
*1: = a person who is currently most important or admired
*2:= a situation in which you do something that makes people in authority
stop liking you or admiring you
*3: = public attention and interest
その起業家は、かつては時の人だったが、汚職事件が明るみに出て以来、失脚し表舞台から消え
た。
(Answer: 1 hour, 2 grace, *3 limelight)
(7) Our team was three runs behind in the bottom of the 9th inning, but the 1 (c ) batter *2 (p ) off a miracle with a *3 (bases-l ) home run. We are in seventh heaven.
*1:= the forth batter
*2:= to cause a miracle
*3: = grand slam homer
我々のチームは9回裏で三点リードされていましたが、4番打者の満塁ホームランで奇跡を起こ
しました。
(Answer: 1 cleanup, 2 pulled, *3 bases-loaded)
(8) A: How is your job hunt coming?
B: I got an official job offer from two IT companies to which I had applied.
A: Good for you! You really *2 knocked it out of the (p ).
*1: = to be successful beyond expectation
A:就活はうまくいってる？
B:応募していたIT企業二社から内定をもらったよ。
A:良かったじゃないか！まさに予想外の成果だね。
(Answer: *1 park)
(2) Japanese English: SM Yoko Narisawa
There are so many Japanese English words that we often use in our daily life. They sound like English, but they’re not English. They are easy to mistake and only understood by Japanese people. Let’s check the correct English expressions for Japanese English.
Please fill in the blank.
1. オープンカー
I drive a ( c ).
2. フロントガラス（自動車の）
Someone smashed the ( w ) of my car.
3. シャーペン
I usually don’t use ( m pencils ).
4. ガムテープ
I need to buy ( d tape ).
5. ビニール袋
Try not to use ( p bags ).
6. ホッチキス
Bind the pages together with a ( s ).
7. キーホルダー
I bought her a ( key c ).
8. ワンルームマンション
He lives in a ( s apartment ) in Osaka.
9. コンセント
Just plug it into an ( o ).
10. 調理用のコンロ
Can you turn the ( s ) off ?
11. パーカー
I’m looking for a red ( h ).
12. ノースリーブ
She is wearing a ( s ) blouse.
13. フリーサイズ
These are ( one-size- f - a ) caps.
14. オーダーメイド
This is a ( c - made ) suit.
15. ホームセンター
He works at a ( home i store ).
16. サイン（文書などにする）
I need your ( s ) here and here.
17. サイン（有名人などからもらう）
Can I have your ( a ), please?
18. シャープ（電話機のボタンなど）
Enter your password, and then press the ( p key ).
19. ハイタッチ
Give me a ( high f )!
20. クレーム
We received a lot of ( c s ) from customers.
21. ボリューミー
It was a ( h ) meal.
22. フライング（陸上競技などでの）
He made a ( f start ).
23. マンツーマン
We offer ( o - o - o ) singing lessons.
24. デマ
It’s a ( false r ).
25. ゴーサイン
The boss gave us the ( g light ) to start this project.
< Answer >
1. convertible 2. windshield 3. mechanical 4. duct 5. plastic
6. stapler 7. chain 8. studio 9. outlet 10. stove 11. hoodie
12. sleeveless 13. fits-all 14. custom 15. improvement
16. signature 17. autograph 18. pound 19. five 20. complaints
21. huge 22. false 23. one-on-one 24. rumor 25. green
Table Topic Speech
(1) Why do religions that adovocate unity divide the human race?
(2) What is your favorite sound?
(3) What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
(4) Do you ever celebrate the green lights?
(5) If a doctor gave you five years to live, what would you try to accomplish?
(6) Are you more like your mom or your dad? In what way?
(7) How are you pursuing your dreams right now?
Prepared Speech
(1) Are Critics Right Most of the Time?: SM Eda
(2) Apples don’t fall far from the tree: SM Kei Narisawa
According to a recent survey of popular occupations among Japanese children, YouTuber ranks No. 1, e-sports player No. 2, and game creator No. 3. There are several sources that publish these rankings, but
what is especially noteworthy is that game creator consistently ranks high in all of them.
When my son was in elementary school, we often went to video arcades on Sundays. We enjoyed playing
coin-operated games. Before long, he began to think how wonderful it would be if he could make a game
machine himself. He tried to put his ideas into practice, but none of them worked very well. I myself made a pinball machine. Let me explain how it worked.
With pictures and illustrations, let me explain. You throw a ball, and if it successfully enters a hole, it drops through the hole and hits a slide. The ball rolls down the slide until it comes out of the exit.
While the ball is sliding down the slopewhich is suspended from the ceiling by rubber bands—the weight of the ball pushes the slope downward until it touches the bottom. At the back of the slope and on the surface of the bottom are small metal pieces through which electricity flows.
About a year ago, we visited my son’s family, who now live in Kyoto. In the corner of his room sat a coin-operated game machine he had built from scratch. It would be an understatement to say it was well-built—it looked like something you’d see in a video arcade. I realized that the basic mechanism of the machine
was based on the contraption I had made about forty years ago, when I built a pinball machine out of a cardboard box. Like father, like son. But his machine was far more polished than mine. Anyway, ingenuity and
creativity seem to run in our family.
Now he works as a sales representative. I sometimes wonder if he ever wanted to become a game creator. Maybe he didn’t have enough passion or ability to open the door to that career.
(3) Nipponmaru Cruise Experiences: SM Koizumi
A cruise is one of the most exciting ways to travel, taking us into places and moments far from our everyday lives. It offers unexpected experiences, new discoveries, and helpful tips for travelers. Today, I would like to share three memorable episodes from my 25 main experiences on this Nippon Maru cruise.
Episode 1 – The Two Piers of Yokohama Port
Did you know that Yokohama Port has two main piers? One is Osanbashi Pier, and the other is Hammerhead Pier. The port has strict rules for entering and leaving, all controlled by the traffic control tower. The signals they use are the letters F, O, I, and X—and each has a specific meaning.
X ： means all ships are prohibited from entering or leaving.
F ： means ships longer than 160 meters may not enter or leave.
O ： means ships longer than 50 meters may depart.
I ： means ships longer than 50 meters may enter.
Since the Nippon Maru is 147 meters long, the important signals for us are O (departure allowed) and I (entry allowed). Before every entry and departure, the ship communicates with the control tower to confirm the signal and receive final permission.
Episode 2 – A Heartwarming Farewell from Miyako Port, Iwate
The scenery from the deck as we departed was truly wonderful.
On the 6th-floor porch, the captain and three uniformed officers stood watching. After a local taiko drum performance, loud voices rose from the pier:
“Arigatou! Stay well! Come again!”
Passengers and crew on the Nippon Maru waved back, some waving MOL flags.
As the taiko performance resumed, the ship blew its deep whistle and slowly pulled away from the pier.
The pier grew smaller… yet the voices still reached us, loud and clear.
Finally, we on the ship shouted back together:
“Thank you! We’ll be back!”
It was a moving and unforgettable moment.
Episode 3 – English on Board
This time, I did not see any Western passengers on the Nippon Maru.
However, because the ship is an international vessel, English was used in many places throughout the ship. Do you know next English on the cruise.
Muster station＝召集する所(緊急時集合場所)
Dress code＝服の決まり事（カジュアル、セミフォーマル、フォーマル）
Semi Formal＝準正装(タキシード、燕尾服ではないが、スーツ＆ネクタイ着用)
sport deck＝スポーツをするデッキ、甲板(7階でゲーム、朝体操、景色観賞などをする)
lido＝公共プール（プールやプールサイドでの飲食を楽しむ場所）
dolphin hall＝ドルフィン劇場(ショー、コンサート、ディスコ、社交ダンス会場)
I hope these episodes give you a glimpse of the charm, warmth, and surprises that a cruise on the Nippon Maru can offer.
(4) There is no sky in Tokyo: SM Ishimura
Several years ago, I visited Lake Towada. At the edge of the lake stands Otome no Zō—the Statue of the Maiden—two bronze figures, silent and graceful.
They are the final work of Kotaro Takamura, a tribute to love, nature, and his beloved wife, Chieko.
In that quiet moment, the verses of Chieko-shō came rushing back to me.
I would like to introduce a short but deeply meaningful Japanese poem written by Kotaro Takamura.
Its title is Adokenai Hanashi, which means “An Innocent Story.”
It was written in 1929 and is part of the collection Chieko-shō, dedicated to Chieko.
The poem begins with a surprising line:
“There is no sky in Tokyo.”
At first, this may sound strange. Of course, Tokyo has a sky.
But the poet is not talking about the physical sky. He is expressing a feeling—a sense of loss.
In the poem, Chieko says she wants to see the “real sky.”
She remembers the blue sky above Mount Adatara in her hometown, Fukushima.
That sky was wide, peaceful, and full of nature.
But in Tokyo, surrounded by buildings and smoke, she feels disconnected from that memory.
Takamura, her husband, gently replies that he can see the sky between the cherry leaves.
But Chieko insists:
“That is not the real sky.”
This moment reveals two different ways of seeing.
Takamura sees the sky with his eyes.
Chieko sees the sky with her heart.
For her, the “real sky” is not just about weather—it is about emotion, memory, and identity.
The poem ends with the line:
“It is an inn:ocent story about the sky.”
But behind this innocence lies something profound.
The poem reminds us that modern life can make us forget the simple beauty of nature.
It also shows how people may see the same thing differently, depending on their experiences and feelings.
In just a few lines, Takamura expresses love, nostalgia, and the quiet sadness of change.
It is a beautiful example of how poetry can speak to our hearts.
(5) Fallen Leaves and Autumn Leaves: SM Kaneko
When I take a walk around my neighborhood, such as Yokoyama Park, I notice more and more fallen leaves on the ground. It tells me that autumn is deepening. However, the autumn leaves themselves are still early to enjoy in full color.
Even though most trees are still green, I found one tree already shining brilliantly red—the Nishikigi, or Japanese spindle tree.
Its red leaves were so bright that they immediately caught my eyes. They stood out among the surrounding greenery, as if they were announcing the coming of autumn.
Then, the name Nishikigi reminded me of a sumo wrestler with the same name, Nishikigi. A few days ago, I read an article about him (actually, Nishikifuji). It said he is from Aomori and continues the proud Aomori sumo tradition.
I felt a connection between the brilliant color of the Nishikigi tree and the strong, passionate spirit of Nishikigi the wrestler.
Through fallen leaves, autumn leaves, and even a sumo name, I felt how nature and culture blend beautifully in this season.
Meeting Schedule
In-person: 9:30 AM on Nov. 22 at Oyama Community Center (small conference room)
(Coordinator: SM Takahata)
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