Learn Japanese through Haiku: Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 [Paperback]
Paperback now sold through Amazon. We no longer stock the print edition here at The Japan Shop. Get the paperback on Amazon.
Want it today? The eBook (PDF + ePub) with the MP3 audio is in the Japanese Culture Bundle, an instant download with no shipping.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Note: This is the physical paperback version which will be shipped to your location. If you are looking for the digital only version, please click here for the bundle with this book in it. Digital products have no shipping charges!
Learn Japanese through Haiku: Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 is a Japanese reader with full furigana and native audio, pitched at the intermediate level, past the point where most graded readers leave off. Bilingual on the page: each haiku in Japanese with an English translation and word-by-word notes.
121 pages | Paperback | Includes FREE Sound Files and eBook formats and Anki Flashcard Deck
Learn Japanese through Haiku: Kobayashi Issa
Read real Japanese today while enjoying 25 hand-picked haiku by 小林一茶 (Kobayashi Issa, 1763–1828). Issa’s poems are warm, humane, and unexpectedly funny, focusing on small creatures and everyday life. This edition gives you clear bilingual guidance, carefully curated vocabulary, and high-quality audio so you can read, listen, and truly understand.
25 Issa haiku MP3 audio included PDF + ePub + Anki Bilingual commentary Beginner to intermediate Makoto+ Explorer coming soon
What you will get
A complete read + listen learning kit
25 classic haiku presented in Japanese with natural English renderings.
Short, insightful commentary that explains grammar, word choice, and cultural cues.
Curated vocabulary lists with context so the words stick.
Professional audio: a clear poem reading plus guided commentary for each selection.
Digital bundle: printable PDF, ePub for e-readers, and an Anki deck for spaced review.
QR codes inside for instant audio access; downloadable files included with your purchase.
Coming soon: Makoto+ Japanese Explorer integration for inline furigana, audio, and fast lookups.
Listen
Sample audio from the book
Below: a poem reading and a short commentary.
Haiku reading:
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Commentary audio:
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Recorded in clear, standard Japanese. Great for shadowing and rhythm practice.
Preview
Read a page right here
Tip: Use the toolbar to zoom and navigate. If the embed does not load, open the sample PDF.
How to use it
Read. Listen. Absorb. Review.
Listen to the haiku once without reading to catch the flow and pitch.
Read the Japanese with notes, then replay the audio and shadow the lines.
Reinforce with the Anki deck and revisit a few poems during the week.
Who it is for
Haiku lovers and Japanese learners
If you love Japanese culture and want steady gains in reading, vocabulary, and listening, this book is for you. Ideal for self-learners, classrooms, and anyone who prefers meaningful, bite-size practice that fits into a busy day.
About Issa
A poet of empathy and wit
Kobayashi Issa wrote with warmth and humor about ordinary life, often giving voice to small creatures. His poems balance tenderness and irony, making them perfect gateways for learners to experience real Japanese with cultural depth.
Listen now Preview a page
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 5 - Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji [Paperback]
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 5 is a beginner Japanese reader written in hiragana and basic kanji, with furigana on every kanji and native audio, an easy first step before longer graded readers. The code printed in the back unlocks the stories in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
NOTE: The digital version is found in the digital only Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha bundle.
Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to build your hiragana and kanji reading comprehension?
This new collection of stories is here to the rescue!
Read real Japanese—beginner level but not boring Japanese! You won't find the Japanese version of Dick and Jane, but you will find stories written for adults. Enjoy reading flash fiction, super short essays, and funny stories of common mistakes made by learners of Japanese.Best of all, the only requirement is that you can read hiragana and have a very basic understanding of Japanese. Vocabulary and grammar will be defined and explained.
In this volume:
STORY 1 SETSUBUN
STORY 2 HINAMATSURI
STORY 3 JAPANESE SCHOOLS
STORY 4 CHILDREN'S DAY
STORY 5 SHIKKE
STORY 6 OPENING THE BEACHES
STORY 7 SIGNAGE
STORY 8 TOMOKOROSHI
STORY 9 KANNAZUKI
STORY 10 KOHARUBIYORI
The format is a little different from our other more advanced readers. The idea is for the reader to read the entire story three times. Each page will have a sentence or two in hiragana (with spaces between words for you to see “words” instead of syllables) at the top and that same content in full Japanese (with furigana—small hiragana over kanji) at the bottom. The middle will have the glossary and grammatical explanations. Lastly, the story is presented in Japanese without furigana. See if you can read it after going through the previous two versions and explanations.
If you have just learned hiragana, you may want to listen to the sound file while reading the hiragana section to practice correct pronunciation. If you have studied Japanese a bit longer, you may want to start with the bottom version and take note of the glossary for understanding.The glossary will have the word as it appears in the story, but it will also give the “dictionary” form so you can look the word up further.
Having fun while learning a language is a great way to increase motivation. With increased motivation, you are less likely to skip a day's study. A skipped day can quickly become a lost week and then a lost… forever.
And so, we hope you will have as much fun reading these stories as we had writing them.
This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files for no extra charge immediately after ordering.
Learn Japanese through Haiku: Masaoka Shiki 正岡子規 [Paperback]
Paperback now sold through Amazon. We no longer stock the print edition here at The Japan Shop. Get the paperback on Amazon.
Want it today? The eBook (PDF + ePub) with the MP3 audio is in the Japanese Culture Bundle, an instant download with no shipping.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Note: This is the physical paperback version which will be shipped to your location. If you are looking for the digital only version, please click here for the bundle with this book in it. Digital products have no shipping charges!
Learn Japanese through Haiku: Masaoka Shiki 正岡子規 is a Japanese reader with full furigana and native audio, pitched at the intermediate level, past the point where most graded readers leave off. Bilingual on the page: each haiku in Japanese with an English translation and word-by-word notes.
113 pages | Paperback | Includes FREE MP3s and eBook formats
Learn Japanese through Haiku: Masaoka Shiki
Read real Japanese today with 25 masterfully selected haiku by 正岡子規 (Masaoka Shiki, 1867–1902)— the reformer who modernized haiku and championed shasei (“sketching from life”). This edition pairs clear bilingual guidance with carefully curated vocabulary and high-quality audio so you can read, listen, and truly understand.
25 Shiki haiku MP3 audio included PDF + ePub + Anki Bilingual commentary Beginner to intermediate Makoto+ Explorer coming soon
What you will get
A complete read + listen learning kit
25 classic haiku presented in Japanese with natural English renderings.
Short, insightful commentary that explains grammar, word choice, kireji, and seasonal cues.
Curated vocabulary lists with context so the words stick.
Professional audio: a clear poem reading plus guided commentary for each selection.
Digital bundle: printable PDF, ePub for e-readers, and an Anki deck for spaced review.
QR codes inside for instant audio access; downloadable files included with your purchase.
Coming soon: Makoto+ Japanese Explorer integration for inline furigana, audio, and fast lookups.
Listen
Sample audio from the book
Below: a poem reading and a short commentary.
Haiku reading:
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Commentary audio:
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Recorded in clear, standard Japanese—ideal for shadowing, rhythm, and pitch practice.
Preview
Read a page right here
Tip: Use the toolbar to zoom and navigate. If the embed does not load, open the sample PDF.
How to use it
Read. Listen. Absorb. Review.
Listen once without reading to catch flow and pitch.
Read the Japanese with notes, then replay the audio and shadow the lines.
Reinforce with the Anki deck and revisit a few poems during the week.
Who it is for
Haiku lovers and Japanese learners
If you love Japanese culture and want steady gains in reading, vocabulary, and listening, this book is for you. Perfect for self-learners, classrooms, and anyone who prefers meaningful, bite-size practice that fits into a busy day.
About Shiki
The reformer of modern haiku
Masaoka Shiki revitalized haiku and tanka for the modern era, urging poets to depict real life with clarity and fresh, concrete images (shasei). His innovative spirit and prolific output make him essential reading alongside Bashō, Buson, and Issa.
Listen now Preview a page
101 Common Japanese Idioms Volume 3
SAVE WITH DIGITAL! This item is included in a digital bundle at a discount. If you would like the eBook version (PDF and ePub) and the MP3s sound files, please see our discounted bundles here - Japanese Vocabulary Booster Value Pack
WHICH FORMAT SHOULD I GET?Paperback: Requires shipping but you also instantly get the digital filesDigital Download: Get instant access of the ebook and sound files
Discover 101 more Japanese idioms.This book picks up where our first and second books leave off. This adds another 101 for a total of 303 useful idioms.
In this volume, we continue our exploration of Japanese idioms, categorizing them into four thematic sections:
Part 1: Body Part IdiomsPart 2: Animal IdiomsPart 3: Personality and Behavior IdiomsPart 4: Situational Idioms
Each idiom is thoroughly explained, providing:
• The expression in Japanese and its figurative English translation• The literal meaning and common usage• Etymology and cultural background where available• An example sentence showcasing the idiom in context• A comprehensive vocabulary breakdown of the example sentence
While this book is immensely beneficial even for beginners, hiragana and a basic understanding of Japanese sentence structure are required.
Once one zooms beyond the basics of a language, idiomatic expressions, proverbs, and slang can provide the spice to keep motivation up and progress going forward. This book will introduce 101 of the most common Japanese idioms.
We are including, at no extra charge, sound files for all the examples found in this book. Use these files to practice your pronunciation and listening.
In addition, we are also including a free Anki flashcard deck with sound of all the idioms found in the collection. Anki is a free flashcard software that will help you quickly remember these idioms.
In this edition, we've eliminated all Rōmaji (Roman letters) and limited Furigana (the small Hiragana over Kanji) to its first occurrence in each lesson. This approach may challenge beginners, but it's our way of ensuring your success in Japanese - consider it 'tough love. Our goal is your success in mastering Japanese. Early reliance on Rōmaji and Furigana can impede long-term progress.We advocate for learning vocabulary in its proper context as the most effective method. Every idiom is followed by an example sentence and a paragraph or two explaining the context and usage.To further support your learning journey, we're offering an exceptional collection of bonus materials:
300+ Sound Files
Anki Flashcard Deck
ePub and PDF versions of the book
For each idiom, we provide three accompanying sound files. All sound files have been recorded by native Japanese voice actors and actresses. The first sound file is the idiom itself. The second is the example sentence. The third sound file has the idiom, an English translation, the idiom repeated slowly, and the example sentence with translation. Try to mimic the Japanese speakers in sound and presentation. The download link for the complimentary sound files is located on the book's last page.
Don't wait any longer to enrich your Japanese vocabulary. Give your Japanese vocabulary a boost with 101 More Common Japanese Idioms now.
101 Common Japanese Idioms Volume 2
SAVE WITH DIGITAL! This item is included in a digital bundle at a discount. If you would like the eBook version (PDF and ePub) and the MP3s sound files, please see our discounted bundles here - Japanese Vocabulary Booster Value Pack
WHICH FORMAT SHOULD I GET?Paperback: Requires shipping but you also instantly get the digital filesDigital Download: Get instant access of the ebook and sound files
Discover 101 more Japanese idioms.This book picks up where our first book leaves off. Eventually, this series will cover over 300 Japanese idioms in common use today.
Ever wondered what it means when your mouth is 'heavy,' how to 'use people with your chin,' or what 'grinding sesame' signifies in Japanese? Uncover the meanings behind these fascinating idioms and many more.
While this book is immensely beneficial even for beginners, hiragana and a basic understanding of Japanese sentence structure are required.
Once one zooms beyond the basics of a language, idiomatic expressions, proverbs, and slang can provide the spice to keep motivation up and progress going forward. This book will introduce 101 of the most common Japanese idioms.
We are including, at no extra charge, sound files for all the examples found in this book. Use these files to practice your pronunciation and listening.
In addition, we are also including a free Anki flashcard deck with sound of all the idioms found in the collection. Anki is a free flashcard software that will help you quickly remember these idioms.
In this edition, we've eliminated all Rōmaji (Roman letters) and limited Furigana (the small Hiragana over Kanji) to its first occurrence in each lesson. This approach may challenge beginners, but it's our way of ensuring your success in Japanese - consider it 'tough love. Our goal is your success in mastering Japanese. Early reliance on Rōmaji and Furigana can impede long-term progress.We advocate for learning vocabulary in its proper context as the most effective method. Every idiom is followed by an example sentence and a paragraph or two explaining the context and usage.To further support your learning journey, we're offering an exceptional collection of bonus materials:
300+ Sound Files
Anki Flashcard Deck
ePub and PDF versions of the book
For each idiom, we provide three accompanying sound files. All sound files have been recorded by native Japanese voice actors and actresses. The first sound file is the idiom itself. The second is the example sentence. The third sound file has the idiom, an English translation, the idiom repeated slowly, and the example sentence with translation. Try to mimic the Japanese speakers in sound and presentation. The download link for the complimentary sound files is located on the book's last page.
Don't wait any longer to enrich your Japanese vocabulary. Give your Japanese vocabulary a boost with 101 More Common Japanese Idioms now.
Learn Japanese through Dialogues Volume 8: Idioms [Paperback]
SAVE WITH DIGITAL! Don't need a physical book? This is also available in this Money-Saving Digital Bundle.
133 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback
Note: this is a physical paperback that will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files by email immediately after ordering.
Finally, a fun and easy way to learn REAL conversational Japanese! (And get FREE sound files of all the dialogues too!)
Learn Japanese vocabulary in context, improve your listening comprehension, and learn how to talk to others in Japanese.
This was written for beginners of Japanese, but if you haven't yet learned hiragana, please see our Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha here.
We are including, at no extra charge, MP3s for the eight dialogues found in this book. Create play-lists to study on the go or burn the sound files to a CD to listen at home. The download link will be emailed to you immediately after ordering. The MP3s are all recorded by native voice actors and actresses.
The dialogues found in this book are all about context and how Japanese is actually used with friends casually and when peppered with politeness among new acquaintances.
Please use the sound files (included in this download). We hope this book by itself will be helpful, but the sound files--in our opinion--give it most of its value.
Contents
Move your Hands instead of your Mouth 「口(くち)より手(て)を動(うご)かせ!」Killing two birds with one stone 「一石二鳥(いっせきにちょう)」Preaching to deaf ears 「馬(うま)の耳(みみ)に念仏(ねんぶつ)」 Better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away 「遠(とお)くの親戚(しんせき)より近(ちか)くの他人(たにん)」Full of Inconsistencies 「支離滅裂(しりめつれつ)」Best under the heavens 「天下一品(てんかいっぴん)」The Scenic Beauty 「風光明媚(ふうこうめいび)」Undoubtedly Genuinely Real 「正真正銘(しょうしんしょうめい)」
What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click “Add to Cart” now!
Please note: This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive a download link for the digital files immediately after ordering. Please check your spam folder if you don't see it.
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 4 - Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji [Paperback]
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 4 is a beginner Japanese reader written in hiragana and basic kanji, with furigana on every kanji and native audio, an easy first step before longer graded readers. The code printed in the back unlocks the stories in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
NOTE: The digital version is found in the digital only Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha bundle.
Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to build your hiragana and kanji reading comprehension?
This new collection of stories is here to the rescue!
Read real Japanese—beginner level but not boring Japanese! You won't find the Japanese version of Dick and Jane, but you will find stories written for adults. Enjoy reading flash fiction, super short essays, and funny stories of common mistakes made by learners of Japanese.Best of all, the only requirement is that you can read hiragana and have a very basic understanding of Japanese. Vocabulary and grammar will be defined and explained.
In this volume:
STORY 1 TAIYAKI
STORY 2 MITARASHI DANGO
STORY 3 JAPANESE PANCAKES
STORY 4 JAPANESE DIALECTS
STORY 5 COLD MEALS
STORY 6 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS DAY
STORY 7 SPORTS DAY
STORY 8 JAPANESE NAMES
STORY 9 GENERAL CLEANING
STORY 10 MOTIVATION
The format is a little different from our other more advanced readers. The idea is for the reader to read the entire story three times. Each page will have a sentence or two in hiragana (with spaces between words for you to see “words” instead of syllables) at the top and that same content in full Japanese (with furigana—small hiragana over kanji) at the bottom. The middle will have the glossary and grammatical explanations. Lastly, the story is presented in Japanese without furigana. See if you can read it after going through the previous two versions and explanations.
If you have just learned hiragana, you may want to listen to the sound file while reading the hiragana section to practice correct pronunciation. If you have studied Japanese a bit longer, you may want to start with the bottom version and take note of the glossary for understanding.The glossary will have the word as it appears in the story, but it will also give the “dictionary” form so you can look the word up further.
Having fun while learning a language is a great way to increase motivation. With increased motivation, you are less likely to skip a day's study. A skipped day can quickly become a lost week and then a lost… forever.
And so, we hope you will have as much fun reading these stories as we had writing them.
This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files for no extra charge immediately after ordering.
Biographies of Great Japanese Figures [6 Volumes] [DIGITAL DOWNLOAD]
Level
N4–N3
CEFR A2–B1 · upper beginner to intermediate
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
Just startingNative material
Best after Genki II
Furigana on every kanji
From Clay & Yumi, teaching Japanese since 2002. Every story narrated by Yumi, a native speaker.
NOW 6 VOLUMES · NEW: UNLOCK CODES FOR OUR APP · VOLUME 7 COMING SOON
Meet the people who built modern Japan, in Japanese
A novelist, a manga legend, a banker, a teacher, a piano maker and a shipwrecked fisherman who became a samurai. Six graded readers, each telling one remarkable life twice: first in easy Japanese, then at intermediate level. Buy once and every new volume is added to your bundle for free.
NEW
Now includes unlock codes for every story in our app
Every book in this bundle comes with a code that unlocks both of its essays in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer App (iPhone/iPad and Android).
🔊 Hear Yumi read any sentence👆 Tap a word for its reading and meaning🔤 Furigana on or off🐢 Normal or slow speed📖 Translations hidden until you want them
App Store (iPhone/iPad)
Google Play (Android)
Download the free app, sign in, and enter the code that comes with your download.
Look inside before you buy
Tap any cover to open a free preview: the cover and the first 30 pages of that book, as a PDF.
VOL. 1
Natsume Souseki
夏目漱石
Japan's great novelist
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 2
Tezuka Osamu
手塚治虫
The god of manga
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 3
Shibusawa Eiichi
渋沢栄一
The father of Japanese capitalism
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 4
Fukuzawa Yukichi
福沢諭吉
Education is key
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 5
Yamaha Torakusu
山葉寅楠
Music and more
Free preview (PDF) →VOL. 6
John Manjiro
ジョン万次郎
Castaway, whaler, samurai
Free preview (PDF) →
VOL. 7
Kitasato Shibasaburou
北里柴三郎
The father of modern Japanese medicine
COMING SOON, FREE TO OWNERS
How each book works
Two essays per person
Start with an easier essay in mostly N5–N4 Japanese, then read the longer intermediate essay that tells the same life with richer grammar and vocabulary.
Every line explained
Each sentence gets its own page, with every word defined and furigana on every kanji. Key vocabulary and grammar come first, so you are ready before you read.
Yumi's audio, two speeds
Every essay is read by Yumi, a native speaker, slowly and at natural speed. Scan the QR code beside each essay and it starts playing.
Read it in our app too
Each book has an unlock code for the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer: tap any sentence to hear it and see its words.
Learn important kanji from the essays with Kanji in Focus
What you download
For each of the six volumes:
The eBook as a PDF (print it if you like), an ePub, and a Kobo eBook (kePub)
MP3s of both essays, slow and natural speed, read by Yumi
An Anki flashcard deck of the vocabulary
A Vocabulary Cheat Sheet (PDF)
An unlock code for both essays in the Makoto+ Japanese Explorer app
Some of these essays first appeared in our Makoto magazine; for the books we edited and expanded them and wrote a new easier essay for each.
Six books for $26
Each volume sells for $6.99 on Kindle, so the six together come to $41.94, without the MP3s, Anki decks or cheat sheets. Your bundle also gets every future volume free, starting with Volume 7, Kitasato Shibasaburou, the doctor on the new 1,000-yen note.
Who is this for?
Upper beginners to intermediate learners. If you know hiragana and basic grammar (about the end of Genki II), the easier essays will feel within reach and the intermediate ones will stretch you. Brand new to Japanese? Start with our Beri-Beri Shoshinsha Beginner's Bundle.
Bulk Discount - Remember, buy more to save more. Add two bundles to your cart and get an automatic 5% off your entire digital order; Buy three, get 10% off; Buy five or more and get a whopping 20% off your entire digital order! No coupon is needed!
P.S. All our bundles have:
✅ Multiple formats (PDF, ePub, MP3s, plus many have Anki flashcard decks)✅ One-time payment✅ Discounted compared to buying individually on Amazon✅ Free lifetime updates to this bundle✅ Instant download gratification✅ [Satisfaction Guaranteed] - Seriously, if you aren't happy with it because it's too easy or difficult, just let us know and we'll swap it with a bundle better suited for you or we'll refund your money.
➡️ How to read the eBooks in your bundle? Follow the steps in our eBook guide.
NOTE:
This is a digital download. Nothing is shipped, so there are no shipping charges.
You'll get the download link by email a minute after purchase. It opens on any phone, tablet or computer, and on a computer you can download everything at once with the Download button at the top right.
You do not need a Dropbox account or pay anything further to access the files. Learn more here.
If you don't see the email, please check your spam folder or email us for support.
Prefer paper? See Clay and Yumi's Paperbacks (not included in this digital bundle; the paperbacks come with the digital files).
These books are also on Amazon.
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 19: Kicchomu's Horse [Paperback]
Paperback now sold through Amazon. We no longer stock the print edition here at The Japan Shop. Get the paperback on Amazon.
Want it today? The eBook (PDF + ePub) with the MP3 audio is in the Learn Japanese with Stories Bundle #2 (10 volumes), an instant download with no shipping.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 19 is a Japanese reader with full furigana and native audio, pitched at the upper-beginner level where graded readers usually leave off. The story is a classic Japanese folktale, bilingual on the page: the Japanese text with a full English translation, vocabulary and grammar notes. The code printed in the back unlocks the stories in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
Also in: Learn Japanese with Stories — Volume 2 Bundle
Upper Beginner → Intermediate
Learn Japanese with Stories 19 — Kicchomu: Quick-Wit Tales
112 pages | Paperback (5.5″ × 8.5″) | Digital files included (MP3s & Anki)
Physical paperback ships to you. Digital downloads available immediately after purchase.
MP3: slow & normal Anki deck included Grammar notes Full JP + EN
🎧 Audio Sample — “Kicchomu and the Fire” (Normal Speed)
Your browser does not support the audio element.
📖 PDF Sample Preview
Jump to Preview Open in New Tab
About the Stories
The Kicchomu tales are classic 頓智話(とんちばなし)—quick-wit stories where a clever underdog flips the script on smug rivals. In one tale, a well-meant plan during a village crisis goes comically sideways; in another, a “mystical” horse leaves the wealthy headman speechless.
Great for upper beginners to lower intermediates
Read with furigana support, grammar notes, and line-by-line glosses
Practice again with the all-Japanese version (no interleaved English)
Confirm understanding with the full English translation
Free MP3 download link is on the last page of the book (check spam if you don’t see the email).
What You Get
112 pages (paperback + instant digital files)
Two recordings per story: slow and normal speed
Anki deck with all story vocabulary
Extensive grammar notes for both stories
Full Japanese text + English translation
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 18: Kicchomu's Big Rock [Paperback]
Paperback now sold through Amazon. We no longer stock the print edition here at The Japan Shop. Get the paperback on Amazon.
Want it today? The eBook (PDF + ePub) with the MP3 audio is in the Learn Japanese with Stories Bundle #2 (10 volumes), an instant download with no shipping.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 18 is a Japanese reader with full furigana and native audio, pitched at the upper-beginner level where graded readers usually leave off. The story is a classic Japanese folktale, bilingual on the page: the Japanese text with a full English translation, vocabulary and grammar notes. The code printed in the back unlocks the stories in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle.
103 Pages | Includes Digital Files (Sound files and Anki deck) | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback
This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering.
Kicchomu is a character often found in Japanese folktales, but he actually existed. Or rather, the character is based on a historical figure.
This book contains two stories about Kicchomu. If you haven’t read our other stories staring Kicchomu, you are in for a treat. In Kicchomu and the Big Rock, Kicchomu has a big problem. There’s a big rock in his yard. Never fear! The ever clever Kicchomu has an idea how to get someone else dig it out for him.
In the second story, Kicchomu accidentally sells his horse to the rice cake shop owner. How does Kicchomu get the horse back? Read and find out.
103 Pages
For Upper Beginners to Intermediates
Sound file recordings of story both slow and normal speed for both stories
Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories
Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.
FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.
WHAT YOU GET:
All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph
The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption
An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first)
Extensive grammar notes for both stories
Free Anki flashcard deck for the vocabulary
Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 3 - Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji [Paperback]
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 3 is a beginner Japanese reader written in hiragana and basic kanji, with furigana on every kanji and native audio, an easy first step before longer graded readers. The code printed in the back unlocks the stories in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
NOTE: The digital version is found in the digital only Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha bundle.
Have you only recently learned hiragana but need practice? Or perhaps, your hiragana is no problem, but you want to build your hiragana and kanji reading comprehension?
This new collection of stories is here to the rescue!
Read real Japanese—beginner level but not boring Japanese! You won't find the Japanese version of Dick and Jane, but you will find stories written for adults. Enjoy reading flash fiction, super short essays, and funny stories of common mistakes made by learners of Japanese.Best of all, the only requirement is that you can read hiragana and have a very basic understanding of Japanese. Vocabulary and grammar will be defined and explained.
The format is a little different from our other more advanced readers. The idea is for the reader to read the entire story three times. Each page will have a sentence or two in hiragana (with spaces between words for you to see “words” instead of syllables) at the top and that same content in full Japanese (with furigana—small hiragana over kanji) at the bottom. The middle will have the glossary and grammatical explanations. Lastly, the story is presented in Japanese without furigana. See if you can read it after going through the previous two versions and explanations.
If you have just learned hiragana, you may want to listen to the sound file while reading the hiragana section to practice correct pronunciation. If you have studied Japanese a bit longer, you may want to start with the bottom version and take note of the glossary for understanding.The glossary will have the word as it appears in the story, but it will also give the “dictionary” form so you can look the word up further.
Having fun while learning a language is a great way to increase motivation. With increased motivation, you are less likely to skip a day's study. A skipped day can quickly become a lost week and then a lost… forever.
And so, we hope you will have as much fun reading these stories as we had writing them.
This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files for no extra charge immediately after ordering.
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 17: The Mouse Carving [Paperback]
Paperback now sold through Amazon. We no longer stock the print edition here at The Japan Shop. Get the paperback on Amazon.
Want it today? The eBook (PDF + ePub) with the MP3 audio is in the Learn Japanese with Stories Bundle #2 (10 volumes), an instant download with no shipping.
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Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 17 is a Japanese reader with full furigana and native audio, pitched at the upper-beginner level where graded readers usually leave off. The story is a classic Japanese folktale, bilingual on the page: the Japanese text with a full English translation, vocabulary and grammar notes. The code printed in the back unlocks the stories in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app for iPhone, iPad and Android, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
NOTE: This is also available in the Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 2 Bundle.
108 Pages | Includes Digital Files | 5.5 x 8.5 inch Paperback
This is a physical paperback which will be shipped to you. You'll also receive the digital files immediately after ordering.
Kicchomu is a character often found in Japanese folktales, but he actually existed. Or rather, the character is based on a historical figure. The two stories found in this book features Kicchomu dealing with a difficult samurai on a ferryboat and besting a master carver with his cunning rather than skill.
Kicchomu's Ferryboat: きっちょむさんの渡し船【わたぶね】
The Mouse Carving: ネズミの彫り物【ほりもの】
108 Pages
For Upper Beginners to Intermediates
Sound file recordings of story both slow and normal speed for both stories
Anki deck with all the vocabulary in the stories
Japanese Reader Collection Volume 17: The Mouse Carving
Recommended for upper beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.
FREE PDF and MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker–download link found on the last page. Listen while reading to develop listening comprehension, reading skills, and building vocabulary.
WHAT YOU GET:
All vocabulary is defined in English under each paragraph
The full story just in Japanese is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption
An English translation is provided (but we encourage you to try the Japanese first)
Extensive grammar notes for both stories
Free Anki flashcard deck for the vocabulary
Best of all, download FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese speech actress. (Link will be emailed to you after ordering - check your spam folder if you don't see it)