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Step into an infinite world of stories

Listen and read

Clay Boutwell

Yumi Boutwell

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Perfect for beginning and upper beginning students of Japanese. This affordable Japanese reader contains two stories just about every Japanese knows and loves.

BONUS! Get FREE MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

EXTRA BONUS! Free Anki flashcard deck of all the vocabulary in the stories.

These are short stories that can be tackled by students of any level, but the ideal level is upper beginners to intermediates (around the JLPT N4 - N3 level).

* All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))
* Two full traditional Japanese stories presented in three unique ways.
* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.
* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.
* ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).
* Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible. This book has four complete stories with total explanation for every level.

* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

* Download the free Anki flashcard deck
* Print out the Vocabulary PDF to use while reading.

YUKI ONNA The Snow Woman
Yuki Onna (Snow Woman) is a traditional Japanese folktale of a spirit or yōkai who appears on snowy nights in a white kimono and even whiter skin. She is beautiful, but deadly, leading unsuspecting travellers astray or killing them outright. In our story, she is both deadly and compassionate.

Anchin & Kiyohime
A young priest learns the danger a lie can invite.

While beginners to Japanese can get a lot from this, hiragana knowledge is required.

Finally, 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!

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click “Buy Now” now!

Kotoba Inc

Learn Japanese with Stories

Learn Japanese with Stories #6: Yukionna: The Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese Folklore, Tales, and Stories

**Embark on a Japanese Reading Adventure with Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl'**

**Read Real Japanese Today!** 
Dive into the world of literature and elevate your language skills with our thoughtfully segmented and explained version of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl.' Perfect for the upper beginner level student, this book breaks down the story into manageable segments, providing complete explanations to boost your confidence and understanding as you progress through real Japanese, page by page.

**BONUS: FREE MP3s Included!** 
Enhance your learning experience with FREE MP3s of the story read by a native Japanese voice actress. Available in both normal and slow speeds, these audio files are perfect companions for your reading journey. Find the link to these invaluable resources on the last page of the book.

**Now with Furigana!** 
Our readers benefit from furigana support in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana, the small hiragana over the kanji, is supported by most devices, making your reading smoother and more enjoyable.

**For Intermediate Learners Too!** 
If you've been studying for a while but don't feel like you're progressing, this book is also for you. Start with the Japanese-only section, then move on to the line-by-line running gloss section to solidify your understanding and expand your vocabulary.

**Features:**

Furigana in the line-by-line section

Vocabulary breakdowns and grammar insights

Line-by-Line section for complete understanding: Every sentence is broken down word-for-word with an English explanation of the grammar.

Japanese-only section for uninterrupted practice. Can you read all the kanji? If not, refer to the Line-by-Line section

A simple English summary to check your understanding (but try the Japanese first!).

Short stories make reading full Japanese texts possible.

Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

Download the FREE Anki flashcard deck to master the vocabulary found in the story.

**About 'The Little Match Girl':** 
This famous story, a staple in Japanese culture, tells the poignant tale of a dying little girl's dreams and hopes on a cold New Year's Eve. First published in 1845 in Danish, it has since become a beloved classic worldwide.

**We're Here for You:** 
We invite readers to contact us with questions or requests for future Japanese readers. You'll find our personal email addresses in the book.

**Take the Next Step:** 
Don't just dream about mastering Japanese—make it a reality. Click “Buy Now” and ninja up your Japanese today!

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 7: The Little Match Girl

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

BONUS! Get a FREE Anki flashcard deck of most the vocabulary. The vocabulary decks mostly have audio and pitch accent diagrams.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and eBook versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (without furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

The line-by-line section has furigana (printed version and eBook version on supported devices (most new devices))

The story is presented in three unique ways.

GLOSS: Read the story with the definitions below each sentence to understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.

JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.

ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).

Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.

Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

Download a FREE Anki flashcard deck to learn all the vocabulary found in the stories

ABOUT THIS STORY
カチカチ山(やま) is longer than most of the other stories we've done in the past. To make it more digestible, we are
splitting it into three parts. The story is about a nasty tanuki who gets what's coming to him. It's not a very pleasant story, but it is well known in Japan.

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese.

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 11: Kachi Kachi Yama

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the bonus content is found on the last page.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading.

EXTRA BONUS! Lastly, we are also providing an Anki flashcard deck of the vocabulary for not extra charge.

Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (includes furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

* All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))
* Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.
* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.
* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.
* ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).
* Short stories make reading full Japanese texts possible.
* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study and the Anki flashcard decks to learn the 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 in Japanese folklore is an antagonistic ogre. This Amanojaku causes trouble for Princess Uriko, a beautiful woman born of a... melon.

STORY 2: 天女(てんにょ)の羽衣(はごろも) Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe
Stories of beautiful celestial women coming from the sky are found in many cultures. Such legends are also common in Japan. In this story, a young man finds a way to make the Tennyo (Celestial maiden) marry him. But will it last?

Finally, 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!

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese.

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 12: Celestial Maiden's Feathered Robe

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading.

Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

* All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))
* Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.
* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.
* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.
* ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).
* Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.
* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

Learn Japanese with Stories #12: Japanese Reader Collection

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading.

EXTRA BONUS! Lastly, we are also providing an Anki flashcard deck of the vocabulary for not extra charge.

Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (includes furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

* All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))
* Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.
* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.
* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.
* ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).
* Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.
* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

THE STORIES:
The wise and mischievous Hikoichi has been a favorite of ours since we started these Japanese story readers. This book has two more stories, both involving a fox. Foxes (and tanuki), in Japanese folklore, can sometimes be spirits which can transform into different shapes. They also love to play tricks on humans. In both stories, Hikoichi is here to the rescue.

Finally, 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!

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese.

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 13: Hikoichi and the Kitsune

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading.

EXTRA BONUS! Lastly, we are also providing an Anki flashcard deck of the vocabulary for not extra charge.

Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and Kindle versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (includes furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

All Japanese have furigana (printed version and Kindle version on supported devices (most new devices))

Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.

GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.

JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.

ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).

Short stories make reading full Japanese texts possible.

Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study and an Anki flashcard deck to learn the vocabulary.

THE STORIES:
Kicchomu is a character very similar to another favorite of ours: Hikoichi. Kicchomu was an actual person who lived during the Edo period. However, the stories about him came much later. Like Hikoichi, Kicchomu is quick-witted and a little sneaky.

This book contains two Kicchomu stories:

Kicchomu and the Falling Star - Can you sweep a star from the sky with a broom? Well, Kicchomu can.

Kicchomu Selling Crows - Kicchomu finds a somewhat tricky way to sell his unwanted wares

Finally, 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!

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese.

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 14: Kicchomu-san

Boutwell Clay

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

BONUS! Get 2 FREE Anki flashcard decks of most the vocabulary and kanji. The vocabulary decks mostly have audio and pitch accent diagrams.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading.

Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and eBook versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (without furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

* The line-by-line section has furigana (printed version and eBook version on supported devices (most new devices))
* Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.
* GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.
* JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.
* ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).
* Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.
* Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

THE STORIES:
Kicchomu is a character very similar to another favorite of ours: Hikoichi. Kicchomu was an actual person who lived during the Edo period. However, the stories about him came much later. Like Hikoichi, Kicchomu is quick-witted and a little sneaky.

This book contains two stories about Kicchomu. If you haven’t read our other stories staring Kicchomu, you are in for a treat. In Kicchomu and the Big Rock, Kicchomu has a big problem. There’s a big rock in his yard. Never fear! The ever clever Kicchomu has an idea how to get someone else dig it out for him.

In the second story, Kicchomu accidentally sells his horse to the rice cake shop owner. How does Kicchomu get the horse back? Read and find out.

Finally, 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!

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese.

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 18: Kicchomu-san and the Big Rock + The Cake Shop Owner

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

BONUS! Get a FREE Anki flashcard deck of most the vocabulary. The vocabulary decks mostly have audio and pitch accent diagrams.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

EXTRA BONUS! Included with the sound files, are PDFs of all the vocabulary and grammar points. Feel free to print these out to use while reading.

Now with Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and eBook versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this new feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you too. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (without furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

The line-by-line section has furigana (printed version and eBook version on supported devices (most new devices))

Two complete Japanese short stories. Each story is presented in three unique ways.

GLOSS: Read the story with a running gloss—understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.

JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.

ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).

Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.

Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

Download a FREE Anki flashcard deck to learn all the vocabulary found in the stories

THE STORIES IN THIS VOLUME:
The Kicchomu stories are part of a genre called 頓智話(とんちばなし), or "quick wit stories." He can be a trickster or he can use his wisdom to get out of difficult situations. Often, the village headman or some rich but somewhat arrogant fellow thinks Kicchomu is a fool and tries to trick him and Kicchomu uses his ready wit to turn the tables.

In the first tale in this volume, Kicchomu's attempt to heed sage advice during a village crisis yields unexpected and comical results. In the other adventure, his cunning ruse involving a seemingly magical horse leaves the wealthy headman utterly speechless.

Finally, 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!

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 19: Kicchomu's Horse

READ real Japanese Today! By choosing short stories, the intimidation factor is greatly reduced. Not only that, but we divide the story up into tiny, easy-to-swallow segments with complete explanations to give you confidence as you read real Japanese page by page.

Recommended for upper beginner to intermediate level students of Japanese.

BONUS! Get FREE sound files of the stories read by a native Japanese voice actress, one read at normal speed and one read slowly. Listen while reading. The link to the MP3s is found on the last page.

BONUS! Get a FREE Anki flashcard deck of most the vocabulary. The vocabulary decks mostly have audio and pitch accent diagrams.

NOW WITH QR CODES - While you can still download the sound files with the link on the last page, we are also including handy QR codes for both the slow and normal speed recordings of the stories. Simply scan the code with the camera of your phone and the audio will begin playing in seconds.

Furigana! All our readers now have furigana in both the paperback and eBook versions. Furigana is the small hiragana over the kanji--most devices support this feature. (The Japanese only section has no furigana so you can practice reading the story again in "real" furigana-less Japanese)

Have you studied for a year or two but just don’t feel like you are progressing? This book is for you. We suggest reading the Japanese only section first (without furigana) and then go through the line-by-line running gloss section to cement understanding and learn vocabulary.

The line-by-line section has furigana (printed version and eBook version on supported devices (most new devices))

The story is presented in three unique ways.

GLOSS: Read the story with the definitions below each sentence to understand completely. Every sentence is broken down word-for-word and with English explanation of the grammar.

JAPANESE ONLY: The full story in Japanese only (without the running gloss) is also provided so you can practice reading without interruption.

ENGLISH SUMMARY: Finally, we have included a simple and mostly literal English translation for you to check your understanding (Don’t cheat! Work through the Japanese first!).

Short stories makes reading full Japanese texts possible.

Download the FREE MP3s to listen while you study.

Download a FREE Anki flashcard deck to learn all the vocabulary found in the stories

ABOUT THIS STORY
The ぶんぶく茶釜(ちゃがま) story is a Japanese folktale featuring a shape-shifting tanuki disguised as a tea kettle, which performs various tricks and brings fortune to a junk dealer.

The tale originates from Morinji Temple in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, which claims to possess the actual kettle and tells a version highlighting its mystical ability to provide endless tea.

This story belongs to a wider tradition of tales involving magical animals transforming into everyday objects to repay human kindness or for trickery.

What are you waiting for? Ninja up your Japanese. Click “Buy Now” now!