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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! 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

★For Upper Beginners Learning Japanese ★These readers are to not only help improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension but also to introduce tourist sites you may want to visit for your next Japan visit. It will also help you understand Japanese geography and culture as well. ♥ABOUT THIS VOLUME This volume includes two essays:  温泉 onsen - hot springs 地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani - An onsen famous for its bathing monkeys 90 Pages FEATURES Includes two essays Each story is presented in three formats: 1) Sentence-by-Sentence with definition and commentary below 2) Japanese only (to test your reading ability) 3) English translation (to confirm your understanding) The Sentence-by Sentence section of each story presents a small chunk of the Japanese with furigana over the kanji and a complete glossary of all the words; important grammatical patterns are pointed out and explained in plain English Find a link to download sound files for the stories (for no extra charge) on the last page of the book Or use the QR codes to scan with your phone's camera for on-demand audio Each story has a slow and normal speed recording of the Japanese read by Yumi    WHO IS THIS FOR? This book is designed so that both those fairly new to Japanese and those in the intermediate stages can equally find value. The ideal level, however, is for the upper beginner, somewhere around the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N4 or N3 (intermediate).    If you are learning Japanese and look forward to your next Japan trip, click the Buy Now button to begin studying now. 

For Beginning to Intermediate Students of JapaneseVocabulary through memesMemes. They are everywhere these days. A meme is most often an humorous image with text that is spread rapidly by internet users. We think funny memes can be a good way to learn vocabulary and Japanese sentence structure.The memes found in this collection were posted on our Instagram over the past few years and have been edited and expanded for this book.The sentences found in this collection may or may not be beginner level, but every word and grammar point is explained so even beginners can understand. Nearly all examples are very casual, and while mostly suitable for using around friends, it isn’t recommended for use with people you’ve just met.If you find a sentence you like, try memorizing it so you can plug and play other words to use the form in different contexts.The sentences are short and represent natural Japanese you may not find in regular Japanese textbooks.Who is this for?Any student of Japanese wanting to improve Japanese vocabulary and an understanding of casual Japanese sentence structure. What's included? 50 memes with funny sayings in Japanese Example sentences Literal and more natural translations so you can gain a better understanding of Japanese sentence structure. Every word defined and grammar explained Download sound files of every sentence read both slowly and at normal speed - No extra charge - Link found in the back of the book As with any of our books, you'll find the authors' email in the book. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to help, if we can.がんばってください！

★For Upper Beginners Learning Japanese ★Living in shadows and the in-between world of dreams and reality, yokai thrive in Japanese imagination. What are yokai? They are monsters, ghosts, unnatural beings, and even sentient household items. Yokai can be harmless and amusing, or they can be terrifying.  Now you can learn about yokai and read stories about them while polishing your Japanese. ♥ABOUT THIS VOLUME Tengu is a legendary creature associated with mountains and forests. Tengu can cause mischief, but as you will read within these pages, tengu also can show kindness to people. Earlier depictions make the tengu out to be more bird-like, but, eventually, tengu came to be drawn in the form of an ascetic mountain priest called yamabushi. Unlike normal yamabushi, however, tengu have unnaturally long noses, carry a scroll called “tora no maki,” and have magical powers. They say, the tengu even taught ninjas their legendary skills!     FEATURES Includes three essays or stories Each story is presented in three formats: 1) Sentence-by-Sentence with definition and commentary below 2) Japanese only (to test your reading ability) 3) English translation (to confirm your understanding) The Sentence-by Sentence section of each story presents a small chunk of the Japanese with furigana over the kanji and a complete glossary of all the words; important grammatical patterns are pointed out and explained in plain English Find a link to download sound files for the stories (for no extra charge) on the last page of the book Each story has a slow and normal speed recording of the Japanese read by Yumi   STORIES INCLUDED  ① About the Tengu  ② Origin of the Tengu  ③ Tengu Stories   WHO IS THIS FOR? This book is designed so that both those fairly new to Japanese and those in the intermediate stages can equally find value. The ideal level, however, is for the upper beginner, somewhere around the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N4.    If you are learning Japanese and are fascinated by yokai and traditional tales of old Japan, click the Buy Now button to begin studying now. 

NOTE: This paperback is for the previous version and is 50% off. The stories weren't changed and the only difference with the new version is the formatting is much improved and the vocabulary and grammar explanations have been updated and expanded. Still, the old version will work perfectly with the audio and the Makoto+ Sentence Explorer integration if you want to snag a physical copy at half price. 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.   280 pages | Paperback | Includes FREE MP3s and eBook formats   READ real Japanese Today! Are you a beginner to upper beginner level students of Japanese? If so, this reader is for you. Every word is defined and important grammatical patterns are explained in plain English. If you can read hiragana, you are ready for this book. BONUS! Get FREE Sound Files of each story. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page. The Story:While on an intergalactic spy mission, Frank the alien crash landed in Japan and met Obaasan. In their first adventure, they helped prevent an inter-galactic war with the aid of natto. But now, a new menace has emerged which, once again, threatens the entire universe. * All Japanese kanji have furigana* 10 complete episodes in one story arc. Each story is presented in real Japanese (with furigana) and with a running gloss which breaks down all vocabulary and grammar points.* 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 sound files to listen while you study. Frank and the Obaasan is a fun (certainly not serious) reader for beginners of Japanese. If you are looking for Japanese reading material that is fairly easy but not written for children, this is a resource for you. 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!

Makoto E-Zine series #41 Recommended for beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese. NOTE: The print version is printed on demand and can take up to two weeks to arrive (usually sooner!). You'll instantly get the download version with either choice. Now includes handy QR codes on each page to scan and instantly hear that page's sound files. (You can still download the sound files and PDF for no extra charge)FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker--download link found on the last page. Listen while reading. The Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks. If you like our readers and lessons, you will love Makoto, the e-zine filled with articles on kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT tips, Japanese trivia, and much more. Not only that, but every issue will include a brand new reader with newly recorded high-quality MP3s for you to download for no extra charge. IN THIS ISSUE: July 2021TWO NEW READERS: The Closet (beginner) + The Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe (Intermediate) Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns Vocabulary: そりが合わない Prefecture Spotlight: Nara Etymology: しょぼい Anime Phrase of the Day: Ranma Haiku: By Buson Kanji Spotlight: 海 Grammar Time! All about the particle も mo The Closet (beginner) + Princess The Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe (Intermediate) Buy now and start reading in seconds.

NOTE: This paperback is for the previous version and is 50% off. The stories weren't changed and the only difference with the new version is the formatting is much improved and the vocabulary and grammar explanations have been updated and expanded. Still, the old version will work perfectly with the audio and the Makoto+ Sentence Explorer integration if you want to snag a physical copy at half price. 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.   338 pages | Paperback | Includes FREE MP3s and eBook formats   READ real Japanese Today! Are you a beginner to upper beginner level students of Japanese? If so, this reader is for you. Every word is defined and important grammatical patterns are explained in plain English. If you can read hiragana, you are ready for this book. BONUS! Get FREE Sound Files of each story. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page. The Stories:While on an intergalactic spy mission, Frank the alien loses control of his spaceship and plummets to Earth. Japan to be precise. Lacking Essential repair materials, Frank must learn the earthling’s language and find earth equivalents of the materials needed to repair his ship. With only a limited knowledge of Earth ways—and the Japanese language—Frank discovers a number of interesting things, not the least… natto. Join Frank and his new-found buddies in this multi-planetary adventure! * All Japanese kanji have furigana* 15 complete episodes. Each story is presented in real Japanese (with furigana) and with a running gloss which breaks down all vocabulary and grammar points.* 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. Frank and the Obaasan is a fun (certainly not serious) reader for beginners of Japanese. If you are looking for Japanese reading material that is fairly easy but not written for children, this is a resource for you. 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!

➡️ WAIT! Want to save a dollar and get the latest issue each month? Become a member of our Makoto+ club and not only save and download new Makoto issues, but also access web-versions of the past three Makoto issues. Want more? Well, Makoto+ members also get a 10% reusable coupon good for anything at theJapanShop.com and each month, we will post a new eBook for you to download free of charge. Subscribe today with a free 7 day trial. Cancel at any time! Click here to learn more.   Makoto E-Zine series #33Recommended for beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.FREE MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker--download link found on the last page. Listen while reading.The Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks. If you like our readers and lessons, you will love Makoto, the e-zine filled with articles on kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT tips, Japanese trivia, and much more. Not only that, but every issue will include a brand new reader with newly recorded high-quality MP3s for you to download for no extra charge. IN THIS ISSUE: November 2020TWO NEW READERS: Frank and the Obaasan Season Two Episode Five (beginner) + Kachi Kachi Yama Part III (Intermediate) Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns Vocabulary: 恨みを買う Prefecture Spotlight: Hokkaido Special: About Noboribetsu in Hokkaido Etymology: 九州 Anime Phrase of the Day おすわり！ Haiku: Shiki Kanji Spotlight Grammar Time! Japanese Readers: Frank and the Obaasan Season Two Episode Five (beginner) + Kachi Kachi Mountain Part III (Intermediate)   ➡️ LEARN ABOUT BECOMING A MAKOTO+ MEMBER. CLICK HERE

Includes Audio Files Do you often find yourself understanding what is being said but having a hard time expressing your own thoughts? Shadowing will help to familiarize you with common Japanese speech patterns. Whether you are intermediate or advanced, this book will help you improve. Download the audio, follow along in the book, and get to shadowing! Shadowing works by having you repeat what you just heard. With this method, you listen and speak almost simultaneously. If you practice Shadowing for even a short period of time every day, you'll be able to process spoken Japanese at a higher pace. Use your normal textbook to master vocabulary and grammar; use Shadowing to master fluency and improve your pronunciation. English, Chinese, and Korean explanations included Includes downloadable audio 978-4-87424-899-7 163 pages  

A shitajiki is a portable hard surface to write on that Japanese students often used to keep their work neat. This shitajiki has a map of Japan on a convenient pencil board. But it's more! It also has a chart listing the names of all the 47 prefectures of Japan. It also includes a red memory tool that hides the names and only reveals one section. This way, you can quiz yourself on the prefectures. While it is all in Japanese, all kanji have furigana.  

PLEASE NOTE: Mangajin ceased publication in 1998. These back issues may be new or used, but they will not be pristine. A few are still in sealed bags (for mailing), but even those are unlikely to be pristine due to shelf-wear and the amount of time passed. Please consider these as learning tools to be used rather than for collecting. That being said, if condition is important to you, please contact us with specific issues and we'll send you photos of the actual items.   Mangajin was a wonderful magazine for learners of Japanese. Each issue somehow had something for every level, but we recommend them most for upper beginners.  Those interested in translation will love how Mangajin breaks down the manga it presents, explaining grammar, vocabulary, and cultural references with ease. The cover image above and the table of contents below are for this particular issue. The extra sample pages inside may or may not be from this exact issue.   

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! 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