ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition that originated hundreds of years ago in Ireland. They were carved with scary faces in order to scare away the devil or "evil" beings or monsters. Back then, however, jack-o'-lanterns were made out of turnips or potatoes; it wasn't until Irish immigrants arrived in America and discovered the pumpkin that a new Halloween ritual was born.

I've been in Japan several years now and you, and all my students, recognize the traditional "look" of a carved Jack-o-lantern pumpkin. However, in America, we can get very inventive!! I just got these pictures from some pumpkins carved by my family. The top one they named "Mr. Oogie Boogie Man" which reflects the traditional idea of the scary pumpkin! The second one is of my favorite Japanese anime, Pikachu!! How in the world could Pikachu scare away anyone! I just want to hug him!! And actually, that is what Halloween really has become...especially for young children. It's a way to make fun of scary things and have a good time! I hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!