Learn Japanese with Stories #3: Inch-High Samurai

Learn Japanese with Stories #3: Inch-High Samurai
Author: Clay Boutwell
Publisher: Kotoba Inc
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2021-12-21
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN:

Read--in Japanese--about a tiny, yet brave samurai who ends up saving a princess and seeing his wish come true. The second story is the famous moon-princess Kaguya, who was found in a bamboo stalk. Kaguya-hime is one of the oldest Japanese tales and perhaps the world’s first science fiction story. Yes, you can read real Japanese—even if you are just starting out in Japanese. Perfect for beginning and upper beginning students of Japanese who have mastered hiragana and know basic Japanese grammar and sentence structure. This affordable Japanese reader contains two complete stories of very famous Japanese traditional tales. PLUS! Get FREE Sound Files of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker. Listen while reading. Each story has a slow and normal speed recording. The link is found on the last page. • All Japanese have furigana • Two full traditional Japanese stories: Inch-high Samurai and Princess Kaguya • Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with explanation of the grammar. • The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption. • Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!). • Download the FREE sound files to listen while you study. • Download FREE Anki flashcard decks to learn all the vocabulary found in the stories While beginners to Japanese can get a lot from this, hiragana knowledge and understanding of basic Japanese grammar and sentence structure is required. Finally, we invite the reader to contact us with questions or requests for future Japanese readers. You will find our personal email addresses in the book. To your Japanese!

Japanese Reader Collection Volume 2: Momotaro, the Peach Boy

Japanese Reader Collection Volume 2: Momotaro, the Peach Boy
Author: Clay Boutwell
Publisher: Kotoba Inc
Total Pages: 92
Release: 2021-12-20
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN:

Read Real Japanese with Free MP3s and an Anki Flashcard Deck ** Recommended for Beginners of Japanese who have mastered Hiragana and basic Japanese grammar ** Dive into one of Japan's most cherished fairy tales, "Momotaro," with a unique learning tool designed to help beginners who have mastered hiragana and basic Japanese grammar. This book isn't just a reading experience—it's a comprehensive guide to understanding and appreciating the Japanese language through folklore. What's Inside? Dual Speed MP3s: Included FREE are two sets of audio files for each story. One set is narrated at a normal speed for immersive listening, and the other at a slow speed to aid comprehension. Perfect for practicing listening skills! Detailed Line-by-Line Explanations: Every sentence is broken down, with each vocabulary word defined and explained to ensure understanding. Grammar in Context: Learn major grammatical patterns used within the stories to enhance your grasp of Japanese sentence structure. Multiple Reading Formats: Challenge yourself with different reading options - start with hiragana-only text (spaced for clarity), advance to natural Japanese (including kanji), or check your comprehension against our simple English translation. Anki Flashcard Deck: Reinforce what you learn with a downloadable flashcard deck tailored to boost retention and recall. About the Stories: Momotaro, the Peach Boy: Born from a peach, Momotaro grows into a brave hero who, along with his quirky allies, battles the menacing ogres threatening his village. The Tortoise and the Hare: Enjoy this classic tale in Japanese, providing a familiar storyline alongside new linguistic elements to learn. Why Choose This Book? Flexibility in Learning: Whether you prefer to jump straight into reading in Japanese or methodically go through vocabulary and grammar, this book offers multiple paths tailored to your learning style. Supportive Resources: Beyond the stories, the included sound files and Anki deck ensure you have all the tools needed for effective practice. Cultural Immersion: Experience authentic Japanese storytelling while learning the language—enrich your understanding of Japan's rich cultural heritage. You may want to try to read the story either in Hiragana or in natural Japanese first. Or if you are a beginner, it may be better to go through the vocabulary first using the Anki deck. Any way you do it, this book offers several ways to read, listen, and learn. Embark on a captivating learning adventure with "Momotaro: The Peach Boy". Enhance your Japanese reading and listening skills, understand grammatical concepts in context, and immerse yourself in delightful Japanese folklore! Get your copy today and start reading real Japanese through timeless stories!

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 9: The Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese Folklore, Tales, and Stories

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 9: The Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese Folklore, Tales, and Stories
Author: Yumi Boutwell
Publisher: Japanese Reader Collection
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2019-01-08
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN: 9781793386687

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page. Perfect for upper beginner level students of Japanese. BONUS! Get FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page. EXTRA BONUS! Included with the MP3s, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading. Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this feature. Have you studied for a year or two but just don't feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (includes furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary. * All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (all new devices)) and romaji for those starting out. * Three complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways. * The Fountain of Youth: A traditional Japanese folk tale * The Hundred Tales Game: With the scariest of all endings* The Wise Child: A child shows his smarts by answering the question, which is farther, Edo or the Sun.* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss-understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar. * GRAMMAR: Grammar notes are presented with the running gloss.* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption. * ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don't cheat! Work through the Japanese first!). * Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible. * Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study. Finally, we invite the reader to contact us with questions or requests for future Japanese readers. You will find our personal email addresses in the book. To your Japanese! What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click "Buy Now" now!

Issun Boshi

Issun Boshi
Author: Icinori
Publisher: Little Gestalten
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2014
Genre: JUVENILE FICTION
ISBN: 9783899557183

Equipped with a needle and a rice bowl, Issun Bãoshi, an inch-tall boy, leaves home for the city and finds work as the companion to a nobleman's daughter, whom he uses his wits to save from a gigantic ogre.

African Samurai

African Samurai
Author: Thomas Lockley
Publisher: Harlequin
Total Pages: 518
Release: 2019-04-30
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1488098751

This biography of the first foreign-born samurai and his journey from Africa to Japan is “a readable, compassionate account of an extraordinary life” (The Washington Post). When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, he had ended up a servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he traversed India and China learning multiple languages as he went. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them saw him as the embodiment of the black-skinned Buddha. Among those who were drawn to his presence was Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan, who made Yasuke a samurai in his court. Soon, he was learning the traditions of Japan’s martial arts and ascending the upper echelons of Japanese society. In the four hundred years since, Yasuke has been known in Japan largely as a legendary, perhaps mythical figure. Now African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries and cultures offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life in medieval Japan. “Fast-paced, action-packed writing. . . . A new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan and solid perspective on its unification. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Eminently readable. . . . a worthwhile and entertaining work.” —Publishers Weekly “A unique story of a unique man, and yet someone with whom we can all identify.” —Jack Weatherford, New York Times–bestselling author of Genghis Khan

Sword of the Samurai

Sword of the Samurai
Author: Eric A. Kimmel
Publisher: Turtleback Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2000-11
Genre:
ISBN: 9780613337311

Eleven adventure stories set in the exciting and fascinating period of ancient Japan

Musui's Story

Musui's Story
Author: Katsu Kokichi
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2023-02-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 0816552363

A series of picaresque adventures set against the backdrop of a Japan still closed off from the rest of the world, Musui's Story recounts the escapades of samurai Katsu Kokichi. As it depicts Katsu stealing, brawling, indulging in the pleasure quarters, and getting the better of authorities, it also provides a refreshing perspective on Japanese society, customs, economy, and human relationships. From childhood, Katsu was given to mischief. He ran away from home, once at thirteen, making his way as a beggar on the great trunk road between Edo and Kyoto, and again at twenty, posing as the emissary of a feudal lord. He eventually married and had children but never obtained official preferment and was forced to supplement a meager stipend by dealing in swords, selling protection to shopkeepers, and generally using his muscle and wits. Katsu's descriptions of loyalty and kindness, greed and deception, vanity and superstition offer an intimate view of daily life in nineteenth-century Japan unavailable in standard history books. Musui's Story will delight not only students of Japan's past but also general readers who will be entranced by Katsu's candor and boundless zest for life.

Samurai Revolution

Samurai Revolution
Author: Romulus Hillsborough
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2014-03-25
Genre: History
ISBN: 1462913512

"With his easily readable and entertaining style, Hillsborough does a great job of elucidating the complex customs that ruled Edo Period life and politics. --The Japan Times"

Japanese Fairy Tales

Japanese Fairy Tales
Author: Yei Theodora Ozaki
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2017-07-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1387097458

This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.... In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in adding such touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or as pleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incident from another version. At all times, among my friends, both young and old, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to the beautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I have also found that they were still unknown to the vast majority...