Learn Japanese with Yōkai
Vol. 5: 人魚 (Japanese Mermaids)
[PAPERBACK + DIGITAL]

A folklore-based Japanese reader for upper beginners who want to improve reading and listening skills while discovering lesser-known aspects of Japanese mythology.

Physical paperback • Includes free digital files for this volume (PDF + MP3 audio)

About This Volume

Living in shadows and the in-between world of dreams and reality, yōkai thrive in the Japanese imagination. They may appear as monsters, ghosts, unnatural beings, or even everyday objects that have taken on a life of their own.

Mermaids in Japanese folklore are known as 人魚（にんぎょ）, but they are very different from the beautiful, seductive creatures found in Western legends. Japanese 人魚 can be unsettling, grotesque, and even eerie. Sometimes their “human” features appear bird-like—or even ape-like.

人魚（にんぎょ） usually appear at night and emerge from the sea. They possess strange powers, and according to legend, eating their flesh may grant an extraordinarily long life.

These stories connect Japanese folklore with history, religion, and modern culture—making them both compelling reading practice and valuable cultural study.

Length: 85 pages

What This Book Includes

• Three essays / stories focused on 人魚（にんぎょ） folklore
• Each story presented in three formats:
  ① Sentence-by-sentence Japanese with explanations
  ② Japanese-only version for reading practice
  ③ Full English translation to confirm understanding
• Sentence-by-sentence sections include furigana over kanji, a complete glossary, and clear explanations of important grammar patterns in plain English
• Free audio downloads included (link provided on the final page of the book)
• Each story includes both normal-speed and slow-speed recordings read by Yumi

Stories Included

1. The Nihon Shoki and Mummies
2. The 800-Year-Old Nun
3. Amabie

Who Is This Book For?

This book is designed so that both newer learners and intermediate learners can benefit. The ideal level, however, is upper beginner, roughly around JLPT N4.

If you already know basic grammar and kana and want to explore deeper cultural stories while improving your Japanese, this volume fits perfectly into that stage.

Curious about Japan’s darker, stranger mermaid legends?

Click Add to Cart and continue your journey through Japanese folklore—one yōkai at a time.