About this ebook
The Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese History and Essays
Newly rebuilt and expanded 2026 edition — now with full-page kanji lessons, Review & Practice exercises, and free access in the Makoto Japanese Explorer app.
Read your way into modern Japan with three true essays written for upper beginner students of Japanese:
Reiwa, A New Era: How Japan's era names work, and what changed when Emperor Naruhito acceded in 2019.
Rainy Season in Japan: What tsuyu really means for daily life — and for anyone planning a summer trip.
Japan's Giant Hornet: The largest hornet on Earth, and how to stay well out of its way.
Every Essay Follows the Same Proven Path:
Before You Read: A short primer with the historical background and grammar patterns to watch for, so you start each essay oriented.
Line-by-Line Breakdown: One sentence per page, furigana on every kanji, with a complete vocabulary list and grammar and culture notes right where you need them.
Full Japanese Text: Reread each essay straight through — no training wheels.
Review & Practice (NEW): True-or-false, comprehension, particle, and translation exercises for every essay, with a complete answer key.
English Summary: A close English version of each essay for checking your understanding (but try the Japanese first!).
Kanji in Focus (Rebuilt): One full page per key kanji — stroke-order diagram, readings, meaning, component parts, an example word, and a memory hook to make it stick.
Free Bonuses, No Extra Charge:
MP3 Audio: Every essay recorded by a native Japanese speaker at two speeds — natural pace for training your ear, slow and clear for catching every syllable.
Anki Flashcard Decks: Master the vocabulary with the popular spaced-repetition app.
The Makoto Japanese Explorer App: Your unlock code opens every sentence in the free app for iOS and Android — tap to hear audio, explore word-by-word breakdowns, and quiz yourself with built-in games.
Download links and your unlock code are inside the book.
Ideal for Upper Beginners: Best suited for learners with a solid grasp of hiragana and a basic foundation in grammar. If a passage feels tough, the vocabulary notes and app have your back.
We're Here to Help! Questions or suggestions for future readers? Contact us directly — our email is in the book.
To Your Japanese Success!
