Sign-In
Cart
Japanese Reader Collection Volume 4: The Mouse Bride
Paperback
Series: Japanese Reader Collection, Book 4
ISBN13: 9781533526847
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: May 30 2016
Pages: 90
Weight: 0.25
Height: 0.19 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
Read two of Japan's most beloved folktales, broken down sentence by sentence for upper-beginner learners.
A mouse couple sets out to find the world's most powerful husband for their daughter, visiting the sun, the cloud, the wind, and the wall - only to discover that strength can hide in very small places. A boy-monk named Ikkyū is summoned by the shogun and asked to capture a tiger from a folding-screen painting; with a length of rope and a headband, the small monk turns the impossible task back on the shogun himself.
The Mouse Bride and Ikkyū-san are two pillars of Japanese childhood culture - and Ikkyū, the real Zen monk born in 1394, has been beloved across six centuries for his quick wit. This volume gives you the language to read both stories in Japanese, with line-by-line vocabulary, grammar notes, native-speaker audio, and a simple English translation for self-checking.New in the 2026 edition:
- Bonus unlock code inside the book - redeem at Makoto+ to study every sentence from this book interactively, on the web or in the mobile app
- New watercolor illustration and audio QR codes on every story's opening page
- Hook teaser and Before-You-Read intro for each story, pointing you toward the grammar and vocabulary patterns to watch for
- Full Exercises sections with answer keys (Comprehension Questions, Particle Fill-in, Grammar Pattern Hunt, Translation Comparison) for both stories
- Resized furigana - ruby now sits closer to the base text, the way good Japanese typography should
- Running headers, page numbers, and sumi-e section ornaments throughout
The two stories:
1. The Mouse Bride - A mouse father and mother have a beautiful daughter named Chūko, and when she comes of age they decide that nothing less than the greatest husband in the world will do. Their search follows a winding chain of humility - sun bows to cloud, cloud bows to wind, wind bows to wall - until the chain loops back to a place they never thought to look.
2. Ikkyū-san - The shogun has a folding screen painted with a fierce tiger that, he insists, comes alive at night and prowls the palace. He summons the famously clever boy-monk Ikkyū to bind it. Armed with a length of rope and a headband, the small monk takes his place before the screen - and proceeds to send the shogun's challenge right back to him with the kind of polite logic that no samurai sword can answer.
What's inside:
- Each story presented three ways: with line-by-line vocabulary, in plain Japanese (for unscaffolded reading practice), and in English summary
- Word-by-word breakdowns with furigana over every kanji
- Grammar spotlights, cultural notes, and reading tips throughout
- Free MP3 audio downloads - natural speed and slowed down - recorded by a native speaker
- Free Anki decks for pre-study
- Bonus unlock code for Makoto+ Sentence Explorer
- No sign-up required for the audio
Who this is for: Upper-beginner to lower-intermediate learners. You'll need solid kana and a working sense of basic grammar. (New to hiragana? Take our free two-week crash course at TheJapanesePage.com/hiragana.)
Questions or requests for future readers? The authors' personal email addresses are inside the book.
Also in
Japanese
Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 1 Workbook [3rd Edition]
Banno, Eri
Ikeda, Yoko
Ohno, Yutaka
Paperback
Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 1 [3rd Edition]
Banno, Eri
Ikeda, Yoko
Ohno, Yutaka
Paperback
Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 2 Workbook [3rd Edition]
Banno, Eri
Ikeda, Yoko
Ohno, Yutaka
Paperback
Tobira I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 (Vocabulary, Grammer, Listening)
Oka, Mayumi
Kondo, Junko
Yoshimi Sakakibara
Paperback
Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 2 [3rd Edition]
Ikeda, Yoko
Ohno, Yutaka
Banno, Eri
Paperback
Tobira I: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 (Hiragana/Katakana, Kanji, Reading, Writing)
Oka, Mayumi
Kondo, Junko
Yoshimi Sakakibara
Paperback
Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana: A Workbook for Self-Study
Henshall, Kenneth G.
Takagaki, Tetsuo
Paperback
Nihongo Fun & Easy 2nd Edition: Survival Japanese Conversation for Beginners
Hidari, Yasuko
Sumiya, Kana
Watanabe, Yukiko
Paperback
Remembering the Kanji 1: A Complete Course on How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters
Heisig, James W.
Paperback
Quartet: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills 1
Ide, Yuriko
Sakamoto, Tadashi
Yasui, Akemi
Paperback
Japanese Folktales for Language Learners: Bilingual Legends and Fables in Japanese and English (Free Online Audio Recording)
Sato, Anna
Sato, Eriko
Paperback
Japanese Stories for Language Learners: Bilingual Stories in Japanese and English (Online Audio Included)
McNulty, Anne
Sato, Eriko
Paperback
Conversational Japanese: A Practical Communication Guide for Visitors to Japan
Kaneko, Anne
Paperback
Japanese From Zero! 1: Proven Methods to Learn Japanese with integrated Workbook and Online Support
Trombley, George
Takenaka, Yukari
Paperback
Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese [3rd Edition] Answer Key
Ikeda, Yoko
Yutaka, Ohno
Banno, Eri
Paperback
Revised & Expanded Edition Nihongo So-Matome Jlpt N5 Kanji, Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading and Listening Comprehension with Translations in Multiple Lan
Matsumoto, Noriko
Sasaki, Hitoko
Paperback
Japanese Picture Dictionary: Learn 1,500 Japanese Words and Phrases (Ideal for Jlpt & AP Exam Prep; Includes Online Audio)
Stout, Timothy G.
Hardcover
Japanese Hiragana and Katakana Made Easy: An Easy Step-By-Step Workbook to Learn the Japanese Writing System
Lingo Mastery
Paperback
F*ck Off, I'm Coloring! Swear Word Coloring Book: 40 Cuss Words and Insults to Color & Relax: Adult Coloring Books
Swear Word Coloring Book
Swear Word Adult Coloring Book
Adult Coloring Books
Paperback
Minna No Nihongo Elementary I Second Edition Kanji - English Edition
Koga, Chiseko
Nishiguchi, Koichi
Shin'ya, Makiko
Paperback
Japanese Kana From Zero!: Proven Methods to Learn Japanese Hiragana and Katakana with Integrated Workbook and Answer Key
Trombley, George
Takenaka, Yukari
Paperback
Jlpt Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Exercise Book N5 Vol. 1 [With CD (Audio)]
The Japan Foundation
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
Paperback
Tobira II: Beginning Japanese Workbook 2 (Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening)
Sakakibara, Yoshimi
Oka, Mayumi
Kondo, Junko
Paperback
Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese (Learning Through Content and Multimedia)
Kondo, Junko
Oka, Mayumi
Tsutsui, Michio
Paperback
Writing Japanese Hiragana: An Introductory Japanese Language Workbook: Learn and Practice the Japanese Alphabet
Gleeson, Jim
Paperback
Japanese for Travelers Phrasebook & Dictionary: Useful Phrases, Travel Tips, Etiquette Guide
Rutherford, Scott
Paperback
The Poetry of Chuya Nakahara: Japan's Modernist Master (Free Bilingual Audio Recordings)
Nakahara, Chuya
Hardcover
Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N3 Revised Edition
The Asian Students Cultural Association
Paperback
Japanese Kanji for Beginners: (Jlpt Levels N5 & N4) First Steps to Learn the Basic Japanese Characters [Includes Online Audio & Printable Flash Cards]
Stout, Timothy G.
Hakone, Kaori
Paperback
Japanese Kanji Made Easy: An Easy Step-By-Step Workbook to Learn the Basic Japanese Kanji (JLPT N5)
Lingo Mastery
Paperback
Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 Revised Edition
The Asian Students Cultural Association
Paperback
The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course: A Step-By-Step Guide to Mastering 2300 Characters
Conning, Andrew Scott
Paperback
Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 Revised Edition
The Asian Students Cultural Association
Paperback
Quartet: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills Workbook 1
Ide, Yuriko
Sakamoto, Tadashi
Yasui, Akemi
Paperback
Learn Japanese with Manga Volume Two: A Self-Study Language Guide (Free Online Audio)
Bernabe, Marc
Paperback
Minna No Nihongo Elementary II Second Edition Kanji - English Edition
Koga, Chiseko
Nishiguchi, Koichi
Shin'ya, Makiko
Paperback
The Best Complete Workbook for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N5
Igarashi, Kyoko
Kanazawa, Mikako
Sugiyama, Mai
Paperback
Aprender el Alfabeto Japonés - Hiragana, para Principiantes: Guía de Estudio Fácil, Paso a Paso, y Libro de Práctica de Escritura. Aprende Japonés y C
Tanaka, George
Polyscholar
Paperback
Japanese From Zero! 2: Proven Techniques to Learn Japanese for Students and Professionals
Takenaka, Yukari
Trombley, George
Paperback
Jlpt Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Exercise Book N5 Vol. 2 [With CD (Audio)]
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
The Japan Foundation
Paperback
Business Japanese: All-In-One Practical Exercises for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing [Revised Edition]
Shima, Kyoko
Onozuka, Wakana
Shinozaki, Yoshiko
Paperback
Japanese Kanji Fast Finder: Find the Character You Need in a Single Step!
Matthews, Laurence
Paperback
The Ultimate Japanese Phrasebook: 1800 Sentences for Everyday Use (Free Audio Download)
Nagamura, Kit Pancoast
Tsuchiya, Kyoko
Paperback
Genki: Méthode Intégrée de Japonais Débutant 1 [Troisième Édition] Version Française: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 1 [3rd E
Banno, Eri
Ikeda, Yoko
Ohno, Yutaka
Paperback
Japanese For Beginners: Grow Your Vocabulary & Increase Your Conversational Fluency
Nonaka, Takumi
Paperback
Tobira II: Beginning Japanese Workbook 1 (Kanji, Reading, Writing)
Kondo, Junko
Sakakibara, Yoshimi
Oka, Mayumi
Paperback
Japan Now! a Japanese Language Reader: Bilingual Stories and Essays about Contemporary Japan (with Free Online Audio Recordings)
Sato, Anna
Sato, Eriko
Paperback
Nihongo Fun & Easy II: Basic Grammar for Conversation
Hidari, Yasuko
Usui, Shizuko
Watanabe, Yukiko
Paperback
Learn Japanese for Adult Beginners: 3 Books in 1: Speak Japanese In 30 Days!
Towin, Explore
Paperback
Learn Japanese for Beginners - The Hiragana and Katakana Workbook: The Easy, Step-by-Step Study Guide and Writing Practice Book: Best Way to Learn Jap
Polyscholar
Tanaka, George
Paperback
Japanese Word Search: Learn 1,200+ Essential Japanese Words Completing over 100 Puzzles
Koehler, Ryan John
Paperback
The Complete Guide to Japanese Kanji: (Jlpt All Levels) Remembering and Understanding the 2,136 Standard Characters
Henshall, Kenneth G.
Seely, Christopher
Paperback
Japanese Kanji and Kana Workbook: A Self-Study Workbook for Learning Japanese Characters
Spahn, Mark
Hadamitzky, Wolfgang
Paperback
Genki: Curso Integrado de Japonés Básico 1 [Tercera Edición] Versión En Español: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 1 [3rd Editio
Ohno, Yutaka
Banno, Eri
Ikeda, Yoko
Paperback
Kodansha's Furigana Japanese Dictionary: Japanese-English English-Japanese
Yoshida, Masatoshi
Nakamura, Yoshikatsu
Hardcover
Task-Based Learning Japanese for College Students Intermediate 1
Japanese Language Programs College of Liberal Arts Internati
Paperback
Japanese for Beginners: Learning Conversational Japanese - Second Edition (Includes Online Audio) [With CD (Audio)]
Toyozato, Sachiko
Paperback
Hiragana y Katakana ¡Desde Cero!: Métodos Probados para Aprender los Sistemas Japoneses Hiragana y Katakana con Ejercicios Integrados y Hoja de Respue
Takenaka, Yukari
Canedo, Hugo
Trombley, George
Paperback
Grammar Buddy for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N2
Kanazawa, Mikako
Sugiyama, Mai
Igarashi, Kyoko
Paperback
Ohisama [First Steps] (Japanese Textbook for Multilingual Children)
Mera, Yoshie
Ueno, Junko
Yamamoto, Emi
Paperback
The Kanji Code: See the Sounds with Phonetic Components and Visual Patterns
Hamilton, Natalie J.
Paperback
Minna No Nihongo Elementary I Third Edition Translation and Grammar Notes - English
3a Corporation
Paperback
Japanese Kanji & Kana: (Jlpt All Levels) a Complete Guide to the Japanese Writing System (2,136 Kanji and All Kana)
Spahn, Mark
Hadamitzky, Wolfgang
Paperback
Learn Japanese: Get the Basics, Vacation with Ease, Start Conversations, and Sound Fluent When You're Not
Kimoto, Rin
Paperback
Japanese Kana Word Search: Learn 900+ Hiragana and Katakana Words Completing 50 Fun Puzzles
Koehler, Ryan John
Paperback
Tuttle Pocket Japanese Dictionary: Japanese-English English-Japanese Completely Revised and Updated Second Edition
Martin, Samuel E.
Paperback
Jlpt Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Exercise Book N4 Vol. 1 [With CD (Audio)]
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
The Japan Foundation
Paperback
Tobira: Power Up Your Kanji (800 Basic Kanji as a Gateway to Advanced Japanese)
Kondo, Junko
Oka, Mayumi
Ishikawa, Satoru
Paperback
Complete Japanese Beginner to Intermediate Course: Learn to Read, Write, Speak and Understand a New Language
Gilhooly, Helen
Hardcover
Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 Revised Edition
The Asian Students Cultural Association
Paperback
Easy Japanese Phrase Book: 2,000+ Common Phrases and Vocabulary for Beginners and Travelers in Japan
Talk in Japanese
Paperback
Breaking Into Japanese Literature: Seven Modern Classics in Parallel Text - Revised Edition (Large Print Edition)
Murray, Giles
Paperback
Jlpt Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Official Exercise Book N4 Vol. 2 [With CD (Audio)]
The Japan Foundation
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
Paperback
Genki Tome 1 - Cahier d'Exercices [Troisième Édition] Version Française: Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese Vol. 1 Workbook [3rd Editi
Banno, Eri
Ikeda, Yoko
Ohno, Yutaka
Paperback
Japanese From Zero! 3: Proven Techniques to Learn Japanese for Students and Professionals
Trombley, George
Takenaka, Yukari
Paperback
The Best Complete Workbook for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N3
Igarashi, Kyoko
Kanazawa, Mikako
Sugiyama, Mai
Paperback
Diving Into Japanese Culture and Society Through Food
Murata, Akiko
Tajima, Hiroshi
Prefume, Yuko
Paperback
Try! Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 Revised Edition
The Asian Students Cultural Association
Paperback
Kanji in Context [Revised Edition] Workbook Vol.1
Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies
Paperback
Revised & Expanded Edition Nihongo So-Matome Jlpt N4 Grammar, Reading and Listening Comprehension with Translations in Multiple Languages
Sasaki, Hitoko
Matsumoto, Noriko
Paperback
Basic Japanese: Learn to Speak Japanese in 10 Easy Lessons (Fully Revised and Expanded with Manga Illustrations, Audio Downloads & Japanese Dictionary
Sato, Eriko
Martin, Samuel E.
Paperback
Learning Japanese Kanji: The 520 Most Essential Characters (with Online Audio and Bonus Materials)
Grant, Glen Nolan
Paperback
Grammar Buddy for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N3
Kanazawa, Mikako
Sugiyama, Mai
Igarashi, Kyoko
Paperback
Essential Pocket Guide to Sushi: More Than 300 Types of Sushi Explained!
Fujiwara, Masataka
Paperback
English-to-Japanese Interpreting 101: Fundamentals of Broadcast, Consecutive, and Simultaneous Interpretation
McLean, John
Paperback
Revised & Expanded Edition Nihongo So-Matome Jlpt N3 Kanji with English/Chinese/Korean Translation
Sasaki, Hitoko
Matsumoto, Noriko
Paperback
Task-Based Learning Japanese for College Students Intermediate 2
Japanese Language Programs College of Liberal Arts Internati
Paperback
Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced [New Edition]
Tomiyama, Yoshiko
Kamada, Osamu
Beuckmann, Fusako
Paperback
Essential Japanese Kanji Volume 1: Learn the Essential Kanji Characters Needed for Everyday Interactions in Japan (Jlpt Level N5)
Kanji Research Group
Paperback
The Best Complete Workbook for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N4
Igarashi, Kyoko
Kanazawa, Mikako
Sugiyama, Mai
Paperback
Reading and Writing Japanese Hiragana: A Character Workbook for Beginners (Online Audio & Printable Flashcards)
Konomi, Emiko
Paperback
Essential Japanese Grammar: Write & Speak Japanese Like a Native! a Comprehensive Guide to Contemporary Usage
Tanimori, Masahiro
Sato, Eriko
Paperback
Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 Complete Mock Exams
Aoki, Sachiko
Takahashi, Naoko
Watanabe, Ako
Hardcover