Makoto E-Zine Series #91
Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese.
Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 91 (September 2025)
Your monthly passport to Japan’s language, culture, and timeless stories.
Each month, Makoto delivers fun, culturally rich content for learners of Japanese. Short articles, cultural notes, grammar lessons, etymology deep-dives, jokes, and professionally recorded native audio make studying Japanese engaging, memorable, and something to look forward to.
This month’s theme: The gentle turning of the seasons — the fading chorus of summer cicadas, the hush of autumn breezes, and a folktale that has touched generations: Tsuru no Ongaeshi (“The Crane’s Return of Gratitude”).
✨ Highlights of Issue 91:
- Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns – playful Japanese that proves learning doesn’t have to be serious
- Vocabulary Spotlight: 首を長くする – “to crane one’s neck” and eagerly await something
- Prefecture Spotlight: Shiga – explore Lake Biwa, ninja history, Omi beef, and legendary pottery
- Etymology: ちやほや – from Heian court poetry to modern-day pampering
- Anime Phrase of the Day: A fearless line from Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳)
- Onomatopoeia: The sounds of late summer—fireworks, cicadas, and cool winds
- Haiku Spotlight: Akutagawa Ryūnosuke – seasonal sensitivity from the “father of the Japanese short story”
- Kanji Focus: 電 (electricity; power)
- Grammar Time!: ～なら (“if; in the case of”) explained clearly with natural examples
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Japanese Readers:
- Beginner: A cheerful September-themed story
- Intermediate: Tsuru no Ongaeshi – annotated with vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context
📦 What’s Included:
- 65-page PDF & ePub formats
- 29 MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed)
- Anki flashcard deck for beginner story vocabulary
- Scan-and-listen QR codes for instant mobile audio playback
- Makoto+ Sentence Explorer integration for interactive reading
Why you’ll love Makoto:
Every issue blends authentic Japanese with helpful explanations, giving you the tools to grow your reading, listening, and cultural understanding. Whether you’re revisiting folktales you’ve heard before or discovering new words like ちやほや, each page is designed to spark joy and deepen your knowledge.
🔊 Instant Audio Immersion: Scan the QR codes throughout the magazine to hear native recordings on the spot.
🎁 Free Bonus Materials: Sound files, Anki flashcards, and Sentence Explorer integration are all included at no extra cost.
➡️ How to Read: Follow our step-by-step eBook guide if you’re new to digital reading.
❝Makoto is a wonderful magazine that blends language learning with culture, history, and fun. Each issue feels like a guided tour through Japan’s words, traditions, and hidden gems.❞
🛒 Start your journey today: Download instantly and join thousands of learners who look forward to Makoto every month!
NOTE:
- Digital and Print Versions Available (print on Amazon, digital here).
- Digital version downloads are instant—no waiting.
- No Dropbox account required. Download directly on PC/Mac or access files on mobile.
- If you don’t see your email right away, check your spam folder or contact us.
- This series is also available on Amazon.
