【推荐2】The kimono, a Japanese garment (衣服), became popular during the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. High-class samurai, who had traditionally made a name for themselves through battles, turned instead to bright, beautiful clothing to show their social position.

The growing merchant class, who were of lower position, began to develop new kimono styles during the Edo period. These merchants showed off their growing wealth by wearing kimonos of unique patterns and materials. The upper classes responded with laws stopping them from wearing certain colours and using materials such as silk. In response, the merchants used details to add beauty to their kimonos.

Kimonos decreased in popularity during the Meiji period (1868-1912) as the Japanese accepted Western clothing. Men were encouraged to wear Western styles during daily life and at official functions. During this time, the image of graceful women in kimonos came to represent a connection to traditional Japanese culture and values.

Today, the kimono is experiencing a revival. Japanese women of all ages are wearing these garments again. Here are some traditional rules for wearing a kimono:

●Kimonos are always worn with the left side of the garment covering the right side in front. It is considered bad luck to cover the left side of the garment with the right.

●Kimonos with wide sleeves that hang down below the knees are only worn by young, single women. These kimonos have bright, colourful patterns.

●A kimono is held in place by a wide, cloth belt, called an obi. Part of the obi is tied to make a bow. The obi must be worm so that the bow is centred on the woman's back.

●On formal occasions, only white socks should be worn with a kimono. Colourful socks are best for casual get-togethers.

【推荐3】After a serious earthquake happened, a father left his wife safely at home and rushed to his son’s school, only to find that the building where his son studied had collapsed and looked like a pancake(煎饼).

He was shocked. He didn’t know what he should do for a while, then he remembered the words he had said to his son, “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” And tears began to fill his eyes. He started digging through the ruins.

As he was digging, other helpless parents and the firemen arrived and tried to pull him off the ruins, saying,“ It’s too late! They’re all dead! There’s nothing you can do!” To them he replied with one line, “Are you going to help me now?”And then he kept on digging.

No one helped, however. He went on alone because he needed to know for himself, “Is my boy alive or is he dead?” He dug for eight hours...12 hours...24 hours...36 hours...then, in the 39th hour, he pulled back a rock and heard his son’s words. He shouted his son’s name, “ARMAND!” He heard back, “Dad!! It’s me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you’d save me and when you saved me, they’d be saved. You promised, No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you! You did it, Dad!”

“What’s going on in there? How is it?”the father asked.

“There are 14 of us left out of 33, Dad. We’re frightened, hungry, thirsty and thankful you’re here. When the building fell down, it made a triangle, and it saved us.”

“Come out, boy!”

“No, Dad! Let the other kids out first, because I know you’ll get me! No matter what happens, I know you’ll always be there for me!”