1. Do you have any interest in Japanese antiques and family heirlooms? Why?
2. Japan is a country where consumers often expect very high standards and where households are prepared to spend a lot of money on well made artisan products that, in some cases, get passed from generation to generation. These include kimonos, Buddhist altars (butsudan), Japanese lacquerware, Paulownia chest of drawers (kiri tansu), inkan, swords and hina doll displays. Name something in your home or in your parents' home that is considered a family heirloom. Tell us a little about what it looks like and how you feel about it.
3. Who originally bought it? How much did they pay (even a very rough approximation is fine)? Is it worth that now? Why?
4. Tell us about a friend, an acquaintance, a family member or a celebrity that you have read about who owns an interesting, beautiful or really expensive Japanese antique.
5. Do you think young people today are as likely to invest in these items as their parents and grandparents? Why?
6. The Japanese government often spends a significant amount of money trying to keep traditional craftsmanship alive. Is this a good use of tax payers' money? Why?

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Question 6

Tough Vocabulary