READ real Japanese today. By choosing short stories, we strip away the intimidation factor. Each tale is broken into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations, so you build confidence reading real Japanese page by page. Recommended for upper-beginner to intermediate learners.
FREE audio. Get free sound files of both stories, read by a native Japanese voice actress — one at natural speed, one slowed down. Listen while you read. Now with QR codes: scan the code with your phone's camera and the audio starts playing in seconds. (The download link is still on the last page.)
Plus, at no extra charge:
Printable PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar notes
An Anki flashcard deck of the vocabulary
Two complete folktales, each presented three ways:
Gloss — the story with a running, line-by-line gloss. Every sentence is broken down word by word, with plain-English explanations of the grammar.
Japanese only — the full story in Japanese with no gloss, so you can practice reading without interruption.
English summary — a simple, mostly literal translation to check your understanding. (Don't cheat — work through the Japanese first.)
Studied for a year or two but feel stuck? This book is for you too. Read the Japanese-only section first, then work through the line-by-line gloss to cement your understanding and pick up vocabulary.
THE STORIES
Story 1 — 瓜子姫(うりこひめ)とあまのじゃく / Princess Uriko and the Amanojaku. An amanojaku is an antagonistic ogre of Japanese folklore. This one causes no end of trouble for Princess Uriko — a beautiful young woman born from a… melon.
Story 2 — 天女(てんにょ)の羽衣(はごろも) / The Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe. Tales of celestial women descending from the sky appear in many cultures, and Japan is no exception. Here, a young man finds a way to make a tennyo (celestial maiden) marry him. But will it last?
Finally, we invite you to write us with questions or requests for future readers — our personal email addresses are in the book. To your Japanese!
Ninja up your Japanese. Click "Buy Now" and start reading today.
