{"product_id":"japanese-reader-collection-volume-1-hikoichi-9781482373349","title":"Japanese Reader Collection Volume 1: Hikoichi","description":"\u003cb\u003eIncludes Slow and Normal Speed Sound Files + Anki Flashcard Decks for all stories.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDiscover the clever and mischievous young man, Hikoichi, through these four traditional Japanese stories, all presented in Japanese with furigana and full explanation of the vocabulary and grammar. Designed for upper beginner students of Japanese, this reader is a fantastic resource for those who want to practice their Japanese reading skills.\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFurigana over the kanji in the line-by-line breakdown section\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo furigana for the \"Japanese Only\" section to practice reading the story in \"real\" Japanese once you've gone through the story in the line-by-line section\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFour full traditional Japanese stories about Hikoichi.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvery sentence is broken down word-for-word and with explanation of the grammar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don't cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownload the FREE sound files to listen while you study. Each story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownload the FREE Anki decks to master the vocabulary before even reading the stories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFour Stories about Hikoichi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe first story has the lord of the castle testing Hikoichi in a Solomon-esque question-which young lord is the true young lord? \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe second story shows choosing the first and most favorable isn't always best. In the end, only Hikoichi can enjoy the cherry blossoms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe third story is about a mysterious, but living umbrella. Some things are just too good to be true.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe wrap things up with Hikoichi's encounter with a Tengu-a mythical creature whose straw raincoat renders its wearer invisible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach story is broken down word-for-word, with a clear explanation of the grammar to aid comprehension. A full Japanese-only version is also included for uninterrupted reading practice. Plus, a simple and mostly literal English translation is provided for self-checking, although it's recommended to work through the Japanese first to maximize learning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo enhance your reading experience, you'll also receive free MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker, so you can listen while you study. Use the free Anki decks to practice the vocabulary before reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you have any questions or requests for future Japanese readers, the authors have provided their personal email addresses in the book for you to contact them. Please note that hiragana knowledge is required to fully benefit from this reader. Start your Japanese reading journey today with Hikoichi's adventures!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile beginners to Japanese can get a lot from this, it is best for upper beginners to lower intermediates. You will need to know kana very well and understand basic Japanese vocabulary and grammar.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFinally, 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!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWant a FREE book? Head over to ClayBoutwell.com for fiction and\/or TheJapanShop.com for Japanese instructional books. FREE! Clay Boutwell and his wife Yumi are the authors of several top ten books on learning Japanese, including: Hiragana, the Basics of Japanese, and Hikoichi, the first in their Japanese Reader Collection series. They currently have seventeen titles and are slowly adding more readers and study guides as ebooks and paperbacks. And...EVERY purchase comes with FREE MP3s! His fiction includes thrillers (Tanaka and the Yakuza's Daughter), mysteries (Two Tocks before Midnight), and, yes, superheroes! (The Temporal) ClayBoutwell.com TheJapanShop.com TheJapanesePage.com\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Createspace Independent Publishing Platform","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50466574598418,"sku":"9781482373349","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c7fd8291-aa88-4e03-a60f-b5e8a909fe30.jpg?v=1730123660","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/japanese-reader-collection-volume-1-hikoichi-9781482373349","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}