Picnic - picnic (English spelling)

There are various meanings for picnics, such as field trips and potluck parties, but it refers to going outdoors to take a walk, eat, and rest from everyday life. In England, it referred to a day-long outing with a family, where they would have a barbecue outdoors. In Japan, the flower banquets that have been held since ancient times around the time cherry blossoms and plum blossoms bloom, where people spread out straw mats and drink sake while admiring the flowers, can also be considered a type of picnic. It can be considered a general term for one-day outdoor activities carried out by family and friends. It does not include sporting elements such as mountain climbing or skiing, but it does include recreational elements such as walking, light hiking, cooking outdoors, fishing, and dancing.

[Tokuhisa Kyuuou]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

遠足、持ち寄り宴会などの訳があるが、日常生活から離れて野外に出て散策・食事をし、休息を図ること。イギリスで、家族で1日の行楽をともにし、野外でバーベキューなどをしたことをいった。日本で古くから、桜や梅の咲くころ、茣蓙(ござ)を敷いて花をめでながら酒を酌み交わした花の宴もピクニックの一つといえよう。家族や友人などで行う日帰りの野外活動の総称といえる。登山、スキーなどのスポーツ的要素は含まれないが、散歩や軽いハイキング、野外での炊事や、釣り、ダンスなどのようなレクリエーション的要素は含まれている。

［徳久球雄］

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