Nihongo Nano Narratives: Cultural Icons of Japan

By Clay Boutwell and Yumi Boutwell

For upper beginners.

Embark on the journey! Dare to tackle short Japanese passages, and if you emerge triumphantly at the chapter's end, you'll have completed your mission, acquiring cultural insights, fresh vocabulary, and enhanced reading comprehension along the way.

Dive into news, cultural pieces, and historical snippets with this innovative series featuring engaging and informative ultra-brief essays in Japanese, tailored to upper beginner and intermediate proficiency levels.

Includes free download of all the sound files and Anki flashcard decks of all the vocabulary in the essays.

Enhance your Japanese vocabulary and reading abilities using the Nihongo Nano Narrative essays. Although you can tackle these lessons in any sequence, consider these helpful suggestions:

 - Examine the Key Vocabulary

 - Begin utilizing the provided Anki deck to learn unfamiliar vocabulary (refer to the last page for the download link)

 - Read the story in either the EASY version or the native-level NORMAL version, or both, with furigana and a running glossary

 - Listen to the audio file while reading once more (also check the last page for the download link)

 - Read the essays without furigana or vocabulary aids

 - Check your understanding with the English translation

Bravo! You've successfully completed that challenge

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kotoba Inc
• Release date: May 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890083005

Book preview

Nihongo Nano Narratives:

Short Japanese Essay Challenges for Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Grammar Growth

短文 ( たんぶん ) チャレンジ

Volume 1: Cultural Icons of Japan

For Upper Beginners and Higher

Clay & Yumi Boutwell

Copyright © 2023 Kotoba Books

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 5

Chapter 1: Mt. Fuji 10

Mt. Fuji (Simplified) with Vocabulary 11

Mt. Fuji (Advanced) with Vocabulary 18

Mt. Fuji – No Furigana 23

Essays with English 26

Chapter 2: Ancient Key Tombs 30

古墳 (Simplified) with Vocabulary 31

古墳 (Advanced) with Vocabulary 35

古墳 – No Furigana 39

Essays with English 41

Chapter 3: Hot Springs 44

温泉 (Simplified) with Vocabulary 45

温泉 (Advanced) with Vocabulary 49

温泉 – No Furigana 54

Essays with English 56

Chapter 4: Three Great Gardens 60

Three Great Gardens (Simplified) with Vocabulary 61

Three Great Gardens (Advanced) with Vocabulary 66

Three Great Gardens – No Furigana 73

Essays with English 75

Chapter 5: Miyajima and The Floating Torii Gate 79

Miyajima and The Floating Torii Gate (Simplified) with Vocabulary 80

Miyajima and The Floating Torii Gate (Advanced) with Vocabulary 84

Miyajima and The Floating Torii Gate – No Furigana 89

Essays with English 91

Chapter 6: Shibuya Scramble Crossing 95

Shibuya Scramble Crossing (Simplified) with Vocabulary 96

Shibuya Scramble Crossing (Advanced) with Vocabulary 100

Shibuya Scramble Crossing – No Furigana 105

Essays with English 107

Chapter 7: Kinkakuji 111

Kinkakuji (Simplified) with Vocabulary 112

Kinkakuji (Advanced) with Vocabulary 115

Kinkakuji – No Furigana 119

Essays with English 121

DOWNLOAD LINK 126

INTRODUCTION

Embark on the journey! Dare to tackle short Japanese passages, and if you emerge triumphantly at the chapter's end, you'll have completed your mission, acquiring cultural insights, fresh vocabulary, and enhanced reading comprehension along the way.

Dive into news, cultural pieces, and historical snippets with this innovative series featuring engaging and informative ultra-brief essays in Japanese, tailored to upper beginner and intermediate proficiency levels.

FORMAT OF THIS BOOK

Each topic features two versions of the essay. One showcases short sentences with predominantly JLPT N5 and N4 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) level vocabulary. The other essay employs natural Japanese, complete with lengthier sentences and more sophisticated vocabulary and grammar.

Moreover, we offer the same essay with and without furigana and vocabulary lists. Furigana aids in recalling kanji readings, but, like romaji for total beginners, it can become a crutch. Start with the furigana version and review the vocabulary list, then push yourself by tackling the essay without furigana.

Finally, assess your understanding by examining our English translations, presented line by line.

How to Use this Book

Enhance your Japanese vocabulary and reading abilities using the Nihongo Nano Narrative essays. Although you can tackle these lessons in any sequence, consider these helpful suggestions:

• Examine the Key Vocabulary

• Begin utilizing the provided Anki deck to learn unfamiliar vocabulary (refer to