Shibusawa Eiichi: Read, Listen, and Learn with Japanese Essays on Important Historical Figures

By Boutwell Clay and Yumi Boutwell

For Beginners to Intermediates
This book is ideal for upper beginners, but beginners who have a good grasp of hiragana and the most fundamental aspects of Japanese grammar and sentence structure will find it valuable.
ABOUT SHIBUSAWA EIICHI

Shibusawa Eiichi (1840–1931), known as the "father of Japanese capitalism," introduced Western capitalist practices to Japan post-Meiji Restoration, including double-entry accounting, joint-stock corporations, and modern banking. He is a fitting face for the 2024 10,000 yen note.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?

The book features two versions of the biography. Begin with the simplified version, which uses primarily JLPT N5-N4 level vocabulary and grammar. Then, progress to the intermediate version, which presents the same information but in a longer format with more complex grammar and vocabulary.
The intermediate biography, initially featured in our Makoto Magazine (MakotoPlus.com), has been significantly revised and expanded for this edition. The book also includes a concise beginner-level version of the essay. Start by reviewing the vocabulary and grammar notes, proceed with the beginner-level essay, and then challenge yourself with the full intermediate essay.
BONUS MATERIAL
Access the bonus content via the link on the last page of the book to enhance your Japanese reading skills (PDF & ePub), listening comprehension (audio files - both slow and regular speed), and vocabulary acquisition (Anki flashcard decks). The Anki flashcard decks are a fast way to assimilate the vocabulary. An incredible value!

Bonuses include:

Audio recordings of both essays at slow and regular speeds.

An Anki flashcard deck to study and memorize the story's vocabulary.

QR Codes: Easily scan the QR codes in the book to stream the audio and listen along as you read.

Vocabulary Section: Before delving into the essay (either the beginner or the intermediate version), go through the story's vocabulary, sorted by parts of speech.

Grammar Section: Review key grammatical patterns featured in the stories.

Kanji in Focus: Explore essential kanji from the story, including on and kun readings, meanings, example sentences, and mnemonic stories for the kanji parts.

An enjoyable method of learning about significant Japanese figures while also boosting your vocabulary, grammar, and kanji knowledge. Perfect for upper beginners, but also accessible to beginners familiar with hiragana and basic grammatical structures. Every line and every word are meticulously explained and defined, making it a perfect resource for upper beginners to intermediate learners. Expand your Japanese vocabulary, grasp new grammatical structures, polish your reading skills, and enhance your listening capabilities. Each essay is accompanied by two MP3s, narrated by a native Japanese voice actress. Print the PDFs and load the MP3s onto your phone for studying on the go.

What are you waiting for? Unlock the full potential of your Japanese learning journey—purchase now and begin reading and learning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kotoba Inc
• Release date: Apr 5, 2024

Book preview

PART I: The Easier Essay

This book contains two variations of essentially the same biographical essay: one is in simpler Japanese, suitable for JLPT N4/N5 levels, and the other is tailored for intermediate learners.

Before tackling each essay, review the list of vocabulary words and make note of any unfamiliar words. Additionally, you can reinforce your learning by utilizing the Anki flashcard deck provided; the download link is available on the book's final page.

Ready to get started? We'll start by examining the key vocabulary and grammatical structures of the simpler essay. Once you have mastered the vocabulary, proceed to read this essay before advancing to the intermediate section.

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Easier Essay Key Vocabulary

Here are the most useful beginner-level words found in the story. These are mostly JLPT N5 and N4 words or words that are used most often in conversational Japanese. Take note of words you aren’t familiar with. Write them down or add them to a custom Anki flashcard deck for review.

Nouns

日に本ほん - Japan

お金かね - money

父ちち - father

一万円札いちまんえんさつ - ten thousand yen bill

会社かいしゃ -