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Books on Language

Learn Japanese the Fast and Fun Way
C. Akiyama / Audio Cassette / Published 1990

This is a great set for a beginning student of Japanese. It comes complete with audio cassettes, a work book, and a set of paper cut-out flash cards. Each lesson is complete with a quiz. The book is fun and easy to use due to its colorful cartoon like drawings.

Beginning Japanese
Hamako I. Chaplin, Eleanor Harz Jorden / Paperback / Published 1963

This book has been around for many many years and is quite established as a good and effective tool for learning Japanese. Despite the Romaji style being a little outdated from what is popularly used today, this is still a highly recommended book to start with. All lessons are complete with a variety of drills for the student to master.

Mangajin's Basic Japanese Through Comics
Paperback / Published 1996

Mangajin publishes a monthly (10 issues per year) magazine dedicated to the learning of Japanese through the use of comics, called 'manga' in Japanese. This book is a special issue so if you enjoy getting a good variety of lessons rolled into one, this is a great way to go. Many of the comics strips have continuing stories so they are run month to month. This also makes it interesting when you enjoy the story line thus, making learning more like having fun instead of hard studying.

Bringing Home the Sushi : An Inside Look at Japanese Business Through Japanese Comics
Laura K. Silverman (Editor), Mangajin / Paperback / Published 1995

 

Barron's Mastering Japanese : Level 2 (Foreign Service Institute)
Audio Cassette / Published 1992

 

Reading Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana

Reading Japanese
Eleanor Harz. Jorden / Paperback / Published 1976

Another excellent book by Eleanor Harz Jorden. This book is great book for learning how to read and write the Kanas as well as Kanji. There are reading drills which help the student practice what they have learned. There are also sections in whic hand-written examples are provided. This gives the student a real-life flavor to learning how to read Japanese.

Kanji Pict-O-Graphix : Over 1,000 Japanese Kanji and Kana Mnemonics
Michael Rowley / Paperback / Published 1992

This is a great book showing the student how to remember Kanji and Kana characters by relating them to certain objects, shapes, and pictures.

Easy Kana Workbook : Basic Practice in Hiragana and Katakana for Japanese Language Students
Rita Lampkin, Osamu Hoshino / Paperback / Published 1991

If you are looking for a book just covering hiragana and katakana, here is one to start with.

Easy Katakana : How to Read and Write English Words Used in Japanese
Tina Wells, Aoi Tokouchi (Editor) / Paperback / Published 1989

Knowing how to read and write Katakana is one thing but, you will also need to know how to correctly represent the many English words that have been incorporated into Japanese, in Katakana.

Kana-A-Day Practice Pad
Richard S. Kdirstead, Richard Keirstead / Paperback / Published 1994

If you want to take the kanas on a regular basis or if you are looking for a gift for someone beginning their study of Japanese, here is a nice item.

Kanji-A-Day Practice Pad
Richard S. Keirstead / Paperback / Published 1994

Once you have finished learning the kanas and you want to start on Kanji. This is a good way to learn a new Kanji character everyday. This also makes a good gift idea.

Hiragana Wall Chart
Calendar / Published 1995

For quick reference or to just glance at on a casual basis, these Hiragana wall charts are nice.

Katakana Wall Chart
Calendar / Published 1995

For quick reference or to just glance at on a casual basis, these Katakana wall charts are nice.

Reference Books

Webster's New World Compact Japanese Dictionary : Japanese/English - English/Japanese
Fujihiko Kaneda (Editor), Bruce Rogers (Editor) / Paperback / Published 1997

This is my absolute favorite dictionary because it contains both English to Japanese as well as Japanese to English sections, contains definitions in both Romaji and Kanji, it is very compact and it is very reasonably priced. This is the perfect dictionary for someone traveling to Japan. It is easy enough to fit in a jacket pocket, purse, or "fanny-pack." I, personally, got so much use from this dictionary, I bought two so I could keep one at home as well as with me at the office for quick reference if required.

A Handbook of Japanese Usage
Francis G. Drohan / Paperback / Published 1992

This book is intended more for intermediate and higher level students of Japanese. It does make a really nice reference book for the many conjugations and what is referred to as "function words" of the Japanese language.

Kodansha's Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary
Masatoshi Yoshida / Hardcover / Published 1996

For the intermediate student that is also trying to learn and read Kanji, dictionaries that contain furigana are very nice. Furigana is very small hiragana characters that are written over the tops of the Kanji, so the Kanji can easily be read, if not known to the reader. This makes it very easy to learn how to pronounce new Kanji characters.

Kodansha's Furigana Japanese-English Dictionary
Kodansha International / Hardcover / Published 1995

For the intermediate student that is also trying to learn and read Kanji, dictionaries that contain furigana are very nice. Furigana is very small hiragana characters that are written over the tops of the Kanji, so the Kanji can easily be read, if not known to the reader. This makes it very easy to learn how to pronounce new Kanji characters.

Books on Japan, Culture, Etiquette, and Lifestyles

Japanese in Action : An Unorthodox Approach to the Spoken Language and the People Who Speak It
Jack Seward / Paperback / Published 1983

This book has some very interesting and funny stories as experienced by the author who has many years of experience living and working in Japan. The book is intended for adults as there are sections in which slang (a bit outdated) on sexual matters, how to swear and insult people are given. A beginner should not really pursue the vocabulary given in this book as it could lead to misunderstanding. However the book does offer many amusing stories and insights in Japan.

Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings
Edward S. Morse / Paperback / Published 1961

The author of this book visited Japan back in the mid to late 1800's. Morse, first a draftsman and wood engraver became very interested in Zoology. Upon visiting Japan he undertook documenting many aspects of Japanese homes and lifestyles. The book contains many beautifully detailed pen and ink drawings as originally drawn by the author himself. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in architectural detailing and practicalities of Japanese lifestyles during the 1800's.

Shogi : Japan's Game of Strategy
Trevor Leggett / Paperback / Published 1993

If you are interested in Japanese chess, called Shogi, this is a good book that provides a little history, rules, strategies, as well as fold-out paper Shogi board and some punch-out pieces.

This Is Kendo : The Art of Japanese Fencing
Junzo Sasamori, Gordon Warner / Paperback / Published 1989

This is a really good book on Kendo. It provides a little history in addition to providing good overview of the fundamentals of Kendo, explaining hand positions and foot work. Co-author Sasamori has attained the highest rank possible in Kendo.

Dynamic Aikido
Gozo Shioda / Paperback / Published 1977

Aikido is the martial art of using your opponent's energy against him. This book provides many photos and terminology. The author, Shioda, was taught by Ueshiba the founder of modern day Aikido and has himself attained the rank of 9th level.

Business Culture

Going to Japan on Business : Protocol, Strategies, and Language for the Corporate Traveler
Christalyn Brannen / Paperback / Published 1997

 

Japanese Business Etiquette : A Practical Guide to Success With the Japanese Vol 1
Diana Rowland / Paperback / Published 1993

 

Ntc's Dictionary of Japan's Business Code Words
Boye Lafayette De Mente, Boye Lafayette Demente / Hardcover / Published 1996

 

Learning English

For our few Japanese visitors, here are some items to help you learn English:

Living Language Conversational English for Japanese Speakers/Audio Cassettes
Audio Cassette / Published 1994

 



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