Closeup: Obon Society
This documentary series takes an in-depth look at an organization dedicated to helping families heal from World War II.
Episode 1
More than 70 years have passed since the end of World War II. Yet, for some, the pain lingers. Meet an organization that focuses on healing those wounds.
Notes: This episode contains excellent vocabulary words related to war, as well as one or two grammatically challenging sentences, but our friendly notes will help you make sense of everything.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers |  |
| Standard | Unread | 6100 |
Episode 2
An unexpected delivery forever changes the lives of the founders of Obon Society.
Notes: This episode contains important vocabulary words, such as a respectful way for referring to a person passing away and the items and remains of a deceased person, as well as interesting expressions, such as "not a single one" and "to say nothing of."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2243 |
Episode 3
Different ideas of the meaning of a flag might have played into the appeal of yosegaki no hinomaru as war trophies.
Notes: This episode showcases lots of advanced vocabulary, such as "medal of honor," "departure for war," and "meritorious achievement," as well as several extended annotations.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1477 |
Episode 4
Obon Society is formally born. Is it up to the immense task set before it?
Notes: This episode contains interesting vocabulary and expressions, such as one that is used to name a typical or noteworthy example among many items under consideration.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1155 |
Episode 5
A son worries over what to do with a flag his father brought back from war.
Notes: This episode contains several extended sentence breakdowns, including one that explains the affective passive, also sometimes called the "suffering passive."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1004 |
Episode 6
With the help of Obon Society, Terry is able to personally deliver the flag to the family of the original owner.
Notes: This episode contains excellent vocabulary and expressions, such as ones that mean "to be proud of (someone or something)," and "to be choked up."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 903 |
Episode 7
More than seven decades after finding a flag on a fallen Japanese soldier, an American soldier makes good on his promise to return it to its home.
Notes: This episode contains interesting notes, such as one regarding expressions relating to an entreaty "getting through," and another that explains a dangling kara at the end of a promise.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 955 |
Episode 8
With time comes the realization that the bereaved families are not the only ones who benefit from the return of the flags.
Notes: This powerful episode contains vocabulary such as words that mean "to release" and "to heal," as well as clarifying discussions of several key words and passages.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 847 |
Episode 9
Obon Society works to save flags from both the ravages of time as well as their popularity among military collectors.
Notes: This episode contains notes on an expression that means "as many people as possible," a term that refers to the old Japanese military, and the meaning of the appearance of omoimasu in the narration.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 920 |