Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 102

Lesson 104

Reading Japan

139 lines

Ferry directions to the island · Dialogue 1 of 6

The route to Miyajima

*列車で 広島へ行き、そこから 電車で 行けばよい* means "You should go to Hiroshima by train and from there by electric train."

The electric train leaves from Koi Station. Miyajima-Guchi is its terminal. The traveler gets off there and crosses to Miyajima by ferry.

The island across the water

Itsukushima, also called Miyajima, is an island about 19 miles around. It is noted for its scenery and shrine.

The shrine stands on supports in the sea. A ferry from the pier near Miyajima-Guchi Station reaches the island.

Kanji: 絡

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 1

    きみはかんさいちほうにいったときにみやじまにもいったらいいといったね。

    You said that I should go to Miyajima when I go to Kansai area, didn’t you?

    君you
    はtopic
    関西Kansai
    地方region
    にto
    行っgo
    たpast
    時when
    にat
    宮島Miyajima
    にto
    もalso
    行っgo
    たらif
    いいshould
    とquote
    言っsay
    たpast
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    そう。

    Yes, I did,

  3. 3

    みやじまへはどういったらいいのかね。

    How should I get to Miyajima?

  4. 4

    れっしゃでひろしまへいき、そこからでんしゃでいけばよい。ひろしましのこいえきからでんしゃがでている。

    You should go to Hiroshima by train and from there you should go by electric train. The electric train leaves from Koi station in Hiroshima.

  5. 5

    で、どこでおりるんかね。

    And where do you get off?

  6. 6

    みやじまぐちがでんしゃのしゅうてんだから、そこでおりて、れんらくせんでみやじまへわたるんだ。

    Since Miyajima-Guchi is a terminal point of the electric train, you get off there and cross over to Miyajima by ferry.

Particle MO following a number. An extent expression consisting of a number or quantity word + particle MO, followed by an affirmative, means ”as much as _,” ”as many as _,” or ”as long as _,” etc., indicating that in the given context, the amount is large. Examples: SANJIKAN MO MATASAREMASHITA. ”I was made to wait as long as three hours.” SAMMAN-EN MO SHAKKIN GA ARU. ”I am in debt to the extent of a thirty-thousand yen.” GONEN MO NIPPONGO O BENKYOO SHITA. ”I have studied Japanese as long as 5 years.” ANO HITO WA RAINEN HACHIJUU NI MO NARU. ”He will be as old as eighty next year.”
MIYAJIMA Itsukushima, also called Miyajima, is an island about 19 miles in circumference, noted for its magnificent scenery and its shrine, which is built on supports running into the sea. It is reached by ferryboat from the pier which is a few minutes walk from Miyajima-Guchi Station.
2 Itsukushima Shrine Itsukushima Shrine is dedicated to the three daughters of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a Shintoo God--Princesses Ichikishima, Tagori, and Tagitsu. It is of very ancient origin and there are records of its existence as far back as 811 A.D. The buildings, which have been constructed several times, at present consist of the main shrine and several subsidiary shrines and buildings, all connected by broad corridors or galleries which stretch over the sea on both sides of the shrine, so that when the tide is coming in the whole edifice seems to be floating on the surface of the sea. The main shrine consists of three parts: the holy of holies, where the goddesses dwell; the inner part which only the priests enter; and the outer part for public worship. Along the corridor in front of the shrine are exhibited the utensils and sacred vessels used in Shintoo worship.
SENJOO-KAKU and PAGODA The Senjoo-kaku, or Hall of a thousand mats, is the time-worn building situated to the left of the shrine. It contains about 450 mats and was dedicated to the shrine by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598), who is said to have built the structure out of the wood of a single camphor-tree. Thousands of rice-scoops in this building, each inscribed with the donor’s name, are offerings to the gods. This custom originated in a play upon words. In 1894, while soldiers quartered there awaiting transportation to the Sino-Japanese War Theatre, they started offering their rice-scoops to gods as a kind of prayer for victory and safe return. The word ”meshi-toru”, meaning ”rice-taking”, as well as ”to conquer” started from this prayer offering.
TORII The huge camphor-wood TORII rising out of the sea about 530 feet from the shore was erected in 1875. It is 53.3 feet high and 38.6 feet wide in the span between the two inner columns. It differs from the usual TORII in the form of its pillars, and bears a tablet with the autograph of the late Prince Arisugawa.
君
suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
は
leaves
関西
Osaka-Kyoto area (See Cult Notes)
地方
country, region
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
時
time
宮島
P.N.
も
as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
そう。
numerical counter for ships
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
そこ
there
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
電車
streetcar, electric train
よい。
good (See Gram. Notes)
己斐
P.N, in Hiroshima
駅
railroad station
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
いる。
to need (See Gram. Notes)
降りる
to get off
口
place of employment; a family into which a woman marries
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
わたる
to go across, walk across

Island names, size and rules · Dialogue 2 of 6

Two names for the island

*厳島が 正式の 名前だと思うんだが、大抵 宮島と言う様だ* means "I think Itsukushima is the formal name, but people usually call it Miyajima."

The conversation then identifies Miyajima as the name of a town on Itsukushima.

A surprisingly large island

*しゅういが 二十七キロもある 島* describes an island with a circumference as long as twenty-seven kilometers.

The *も* after the distance presents twenty-seven kilometers as a notably large amount. The island also has large pines and sacred restrictions.

Kanji: 正, 神, 犬

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 木

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 7

    みやじまはいつくしまともいうね。

    Miyajima is also called “Itsukushima”, isn’t that right?

  2. 8

    いつくしまがせいしきのなまえだとおもうんだが、たいていみやじまというようだ。みやじまというのはいつくしまにあるまちのなだ。

    I think Itsukushima is the formal name, but it seems usually people call it Miyajima. Miyajima is a name of a town located in Itsukushima.

  3. 9

    いつくしまはおおきなしまかね。

    Is Itsukushima a large island?

  4. 10

    おおきいね。しゅういがにじゅうしちキロもあるしまで、そのしまにはまつのぼくがしげっている。

    Yes, it’s big. It is an island with a circumference of as long as 27 kilometers and big pine trees are growing densely.

  5. 11

    まわりがにじゅうしちキロというと、かなりおおきいね。

    If you say 27 kilometers in circumference, it’s fairly big, isn’t it?

  6. 12

    そう。そして、みやじまはかみをまつるしまで、のうぎょうをやることも、いぬをかうこともきんじられていた。

    Yes it is. And Miyajima is an island that enshrines gods and both the farming and the raising of dogs were prohibited.

厳島
P.N. Itsukushima Island
言う
to say
正式
formal
思う
to think
ある
certain, some
町
town
名
name
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
しゅうい
circumference; environment
二十
20
七
seven
キロ
kilometer
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
大木
big tree
まわり
circumference; environment
かなり
fairly
神
god
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
まつる
enshrine; dedicate; diefy
農業
agriculture
やる
to do
かう
raise, rear, breed (v.t.)
い
stomach

Sacred customs and forests · Dialogue 3 of 6

Customs that preserved the forest

*木を 切る事も きんじられていた* means "even cutting trees was prohibited."

Childbirth was also prohibited on the island. The conversation gives these customs as the reason its primeval forest remains.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine honors the three daughters of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a Shintoo god. Records of it go back to 811 A.D.

Wide corridors connect its buildings over the sea. The main shrine has areas for the goddesses, the priests, and public worship.

Kanji: 林

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 植

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 13

    しんせいなしまだったんだね。

    It was a sacred island, wasn’t it?

  2. 14

    いまでもそうなんだ。みやじまのひとはしぬとそうしきはほんどでし、はかもほんどにある。

    It still is. When the people of Miyajima die, their funeral is performed on the main-land and even their tombstones are erected on the mainland.

  3. 15

    へえ、それはおもしろいね。

    How interesting!

  4. 16

    そのうえ、むかしはしまではしゅっさんもできなかったし、きをきることもきんじられていた。だから、そのしまにはげんせいりんがのこっている。

    Besides, in olden days they couldn’t give birth on the island and even the cutting of trees was prohibited. For that reason, there still is a virgin forest on that island.

  5. 17

    それははつみみだ。みやじまはいつくしまじんじゃでしられているだけとおもっていた。

    That’s news to me. I thought Miyajima is famous only because of Itsukushima Shrine.

  6. 18

    しょくぶつがくじょうでもおもしろいところだ。

    It’s an interesting place from a botanical point of view.

な
I wish, I hope, huh
そう
numerical counter for ships
人
people
本土
mainland
はか
grave; tomb
ある。
certain, some
出産
giving birth
し、
city
木
tree, wood
切る
to cut
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
所
address, place

Shrine colours and scenery · Dialogue 4 of 6

Red lacquer against green

*しゅぬりの 社でんが 海に ういて* means "the red lacquered shrine buildings float in the sea."

Their color harmonizes with the green mountains behind them. The conversation calls the result an indescribably beautiful spectacle.

The great gate

The huge camphor-wood *TORII* rises from the sea about 530 feet from shore. It was erected in 1875.

It is 53.3 feet high. The form of its pillars differs from that of the usual *TORII*.

  1. 19

    そういうことはあまりひとびとにしられていないね。

    Such a thing is not too well known, is it?

  2. 20

    うん、しられていないようだ。でもこうしたことをしっていてけんぶつにいくと、もっときょうみがでてくるとおもうよ。

    No, it doesn’t seem to be known. But, if you go sightseeing knowing such a thing, I am sure it will arouse your interest.

  3. 21

    もちろんさ。

    Of course, it will.

  4. 22

    いっぱんにかんがえられているのは、いつくしまじんじゃとそのまえのうみにたっているおおとりいだけだからね。

    The reason is that the only thing considered by the general public is the Itsukushima Shrine and TORII that stands in the sea in front of the shrine.

  5. 23

    しゅぬりのいつくしまじんじゃがみどりのやまをはいけいにしてうみのなかにたっているながめにすばらしいだろうね。

    A view of the red lacquered Itsukushima Shrine standing in a sea with a background of green mountains must be splendid.

  6. 24

    そうだ。しゅぬりのしゃでんがうみにういて、それがうしろのやまのみどりとちょうわして、なんともいえないびかんだ。

    Yes, it is. Red lacquered shrine buildings float in a sea harmonizing with the green color of the mountains in the back and it is an indescribably beautiful spectacle.

人々
people
うん、
Yes, all right.
だ。
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
し
city
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
きょうみ
interest
もちろん
of course, to be sure
一
one
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
前
before, front
海
sea, ocean
大鳥居
the big Torii
山
mountain
ながめ
view (n)
すばらしい
splendid, great, grand
ちょう
intestines
美
beauty

Natural and man-made beauty · Dialogue 5 of 6

Beyond the shrine

*五重の とうが 厳島 神社の 東北の おかの 上にたっている* means "a five-tiered pagoda stands on the hill northeast of Itsukushima Shrine."

The conversation also names Senjokaku and Mount Misen. The view from Mount Misen's summit is splendid.

The Hall of a thousand mats

The *Senjoo-kaku* is an old building to the left of the shrine. Toyotomi Hideyoshi gave it to the shrine.

It holds thousands of inscribed rice scoops offered to the gods. Soldiers began this custom in 1894 as a prayer for victory and return.

Kanji: 自, 然, 重

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

Kanji: 寺

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 25

    にほんさんけいのなかで、しぜんのびとじんこうのびをうまくちょうわさせているのはみやじまだけだね。

    Among the “Scenic Trio of Japan’*, Miyajima is the only place where natural beauty and man-made beauty are skillfully harmonized, don’t you think?

  2. 26

    そう。まつしまとあまのはしだてはしぜんのびだからね。

    I think so, because Matsushima and Ama-no-Hashidate are natural beauty.

  3. 27

    いつくしまにはいつくしまじんじゃのほかにはなにもないのかね。

    Isn’t there anything else other than the Itsukushima Shrine in Itsukushima?

  4. 28

    おてらがある。もっともよくしられているのが、せんじょうかくで、ごじゅうのとうがいつくしまじんじゃのとうほくのおかのうえにたっている。

    There is a Buddhist temple. The most famous one is SENJOO-KAKU and a five-tiered pagoda stands on the hill northeast of Itsukushima Shrine.

  5. 29

    いつくしまじんじゃのうしろのやまはたかいのか。

    is the mountain behind the Itsukushima Shrine high?

  6. 30

    うん、かなりたかい。みせんといってそのちょうじょうからのながめはすばらしい。

    Yes, it is fairly high. It is called Misen and a view from the top of it is splendid.

三
three
せ
height (of man)
松島
P. N.
天の橋立
P.N.
寺
Buddhist temple
もっとも
extremely, the most
よく
well, skillfully
かく
each (prefix)
五
five
とう
tower
東北
northeastern Honshu (See Cult Notes)
おか
hill; knoll
ちょう上
summit
すばらしい。
splendid, great, grand

Views from the mountain · Dialogue 6 of 6

The view from Mount Misen

*本土の 海岸には かき ようしょく場が 見え* means "oyster beds are seen on the shore of the mainland."

Hiroshima and Etajima lie to the northeast. The mountains of Shikoku appear far to the southeast.

Around the island

*ゆうらん船で 島のまわりを まわって見物するのも いいよ* means "It is also nice to go sightseeing around the island on an excursion ship."

The speakers recommend both climbing Mount Misen and viewing Miyajima from the water.

Kanji: 南

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 31

    そうだろうなあ。

    I suppose so.

  2. 32

    ほんどのかいがんにはかきようしょくじょうがみえ、ひろしま、えたじまがとうほくに、しこくのやまやまもはるかとうなんにみえる。ゆうだいなけしきだ。

    On the shore of the mainland, oyster beds are seen. Hiroshima and Etajima are seen to the northeast and far to the southeast, mountains of Shikoku can be seen. It is a magnificent view.

  3. 33

    みやじまにいったら、ぜひみせんにのぼるべきだね。

    I should climb Mt. Misen by all means when I go to Miyajima, shouldn’t I?

  4. 34

    そうだよ。ゆうらんせんでしまのまわりをまわってけんぶつするのもいいよ。

    Yes, you should. It is also nice to do sights by going around the island on an excursion ship.

  5. 35

    そうかね。そんなこともできるんかね。

    IS that right? You can do that, too, eh?

  6. 36

    できるとも。

    Of course, you can.

海岸
coast, shore
かき
persimmon
はるか
in the distance
東南
southeast
見える。
to be visible, can see (v.i.)
けしき
scenery
ぜひ
by all means
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)

Surprisingly large amounts · Perception drill

Seven years as a large amount

*七年も 居ました* means "I was there as long as seven years." The particle *も* follows *七年*, the numbered duration.

A number or quantity plus *も*, followed by an affirmative, presents the amount as large in its context.

Amounts of different kinds

*兄弟が 十人も あります* means "He has as many as ten brothers and sisters."

The same pattern describes distance, cost, waiting time, and the number of people. English uses "as much as," "as many as," or "as long as."

  1. 37

    しゅういがにじゅうしちキロもあるしまです。

    It is an island that has a circumference of as much as 27 kilometers.

  2. 38

    あなたはなんねんぐらいにほんにいましたか。

    How long have you been in Japan?

  3. 39

    しちねんもいました。

    I was there as long as seven years.

  4. 40

    このてがみはいくらぐらいかかるでしょうか。

    How much do you suppose this letter will cost?

  5. 41

    すこしおもいから、にひゃくえんもかかるでしょう。

    It’s a little heavy, so it probably will cost as much as 200 yen.

  6. 42

    きのうぎんこうでながいあいだまたされましたか。

    Were you made to wait a long time at the bank yesterday?

  7. 43

    ええ、さんじゅっぷんもまたされました。

    Yes, I was made to wait as long as thirty minutes.

  8. 44

    たなかさんはきょうだいがおおいそうですね。

    I understand that Mr. Tanaka has many brothers and sisters.

  9. 45

    ええ、きょうだいがじゅうにんもあります。

    Yes, he has as many as ten brothers and sisters.

  10. 46

    にほんはほそながいくにですね。

    Japan is long and slender country, isn’t it?

  11. 47

    ええ、ながさがせんろっぴゃくマイルもあります。

    Yes, it is as long as 1,600 miles.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
ぐらい
about
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
手紙
letter (correspondence)
いくら
how much? how many?
かかる
to consult, to contract, to be attacked by
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
少し
little (quantity)
二百
200
円
yen (unit of money)
昨日
yesterday
銀行
bank
間
between
ええ、
Yes
三十
30
分
minute
兄弟
brothers and sisters
十
ten
ます。
trout
細長い
long and slender
国
country, nation
千
1,000
六百
600
マイル
mile

Large amounts and durations · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Three hours by car

*自動車で 三時間も かかります* means "It takes as long as three hours by car."

The *も* after *三時間* presents the duration as great.

Five times

*五度も 日本へ 行きました* means "I went to Japan as many as five times."

A duration, fraction, cost, distance, or number of times can stand before *も* as the emphasized quantity.

  1. 48

    じんこうがひゃくまんもあるしです。

    It is a city with a population of as many as one million.

  2. 49

    ごはんをごはいもたべました。

    I ate as many as five bowls of rice.

  3. 50

    じどうしゃでさんじかんもかかります。

    It takes as long as three hours by car.

  4. 51

    それをはんぶんもつかいました。

    I used as much as half of it.

  5. 52

    びょうきでとおかかんもやすんでいました。

    I was absent for as long as ten days because I was sick.

  6. 53

    ごどもにほんへいきました。

    I went to Japan as many as five times.

  7. 54

    こづつみをおくるのにさんドルもかかりました。

    It cost as much as three dollars to send the package.

  8. 55

    だいがくをそつぎょうするのにろくねんもかかった。

    It took me as long as six years to graduate from college.

  9. 56

    このしまはまわりがじゅうマイルもある。

    This island is as much as ten miles around.

人口
population
百
100
御飯
cooked rice
車
vehicle, car
時間
hour, time
半分
half
小包
parcel, small package
送る
to send (v.t.)
ドル
dollar
六
six

Asking about large quantities · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A large cost

*百ドルも かかったよ* answers a question about repair cost. It means "It cost as much as a hundred dollars."

The numbered amount comes before *も* and emphasizes the cost.

A great distance

*四百マイル近くも あるんだから* gives nearly four hundred miles as the reason five hours is insufficient.

Questions about cost, duration, and distance can receive an answer that marks the amount as great.

  1. 57

    このじどうしゃをなおすのにいくらぐらいかかったかね。

    About how much did it cost to repair this car?

  2. 58

    ひゃくドルもかかったよ。

    It cost as much as a hundred dollars.

  3. 59

    きみはなんねんぐらいじどうしゃをうんてんしているのかね。

    About how many years have you been driving?

  4. 60

    もうじゅうねんもうんてんしてるよ。

    I've been driving for as long as ten years now.

  5. 61

    たむらさんはもうずいぶんながいあいだにゅういんしておられますね。

    Mr. Tamura has been in the hospital for quite a long time now, hasn't he?

  6. 62

    ええ、もういっかげつもにゅういんしておられます。

    Yes, he has been in the hospital for as long as a month now.

  7. 63

    モンテレーからロスアンゼルスまでごじかんでいけるかね。

    Can you get from Monterey to Los Angeles in five hours?

  8. 64

    よんひゃくマイルちかくもあるんだから、ごじかんではいけないだろう。

    Since it is nearly four hundred miles, you probably can't get there in five hours.

  9. 65

    みやじまはおおきなしまかね。

    Is Miyajima a large island?

なおす
to correct, mend, repair (v.t.)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
てる
to shine (v.i.)
ずい分
very much
ます
trout
モンテレー
Monterey
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
四百
400
近く
vicinity

Numbers, distances and durations · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Seventeen miles around

*しゅういが 十七マイルもある島* means "an island with a circumference of as much as seventeen miles."

The distance before *も* supports the conclusion that the island is fairly large.

Measures of amount

*二千円*, *六年*, and *三度* give an amount of money, a duration, and a number of times.

*百二十五 マイル*, *二週間*, and *三時間* give distance and duration. Each can supply the numbered amount before *も*.

  1. 66

    しゅういがじゅうしちマイルもあるしまだから、まあかなりおおきなしまだね。

    Since it is an island with a circumference of as much as seventeen miles, it is a fairly large island.

  2. 67

    にせんえん

    Two thousand yen

  3. 68

    ろくねん

    Six years

  4. 69

    さんど

    Three times

  5. 70

    ひゃくにじゅうごマイル

    One hundred twenty-five miles

  6. 71

    にしゅうかん

    Two weeks

  7. 72

    さんじかん

    Three hours

まあ
Well! Oh, my!
二千
2,000
二
two

Island forests and sacred customs · Reading Selection 1 of 2

A sacred island and its forest

*宮島は 神を まつった しんせいな 島* describes Miyajima as a sacred island devoted to the gods.

Farming, keeping dogs, childbirth, and cutting trees were prohibited. The passage connects these customs with the surviving primeval forest.

Twenty-seven kilometers around

*しゅういが 二十七キロも ある 島* means "an island with a circumference of as much as twenty-seven kilometers."

The *も* after the numbered distance presents the circumference as large.

  1. 73

    みやじまぐちででんしゃをおりて、れんらくせんでみやじまにわたるのです。

    You get off the electric train at Miyajima-Guchi and cross over to Miyajima by ferry.

  2. 74

    みやじまはしゅういがにじゅうしちキロもあるしまで、そのしまにはまつのたいぼくがしげっています。

    Miyajima is an island with a circumference of as much as twenty-seven kilometers, and large pine trees grow thickly on the island.

  3. 75

    みやじまはかみをまつったしんせいなしまで、のうぎょうをやることも、いぬをかうこともきんじられています。

    Miyajima is a sacred island devoted to the gods, and both farming and keeping dogs are prohibited there.

  4. 76

    またみやじまのひとはしぬと、そうしきはほんどでし、はかもほんどにあるのです。

    Also, when a person from Miyajima dies, the funeral is held on the mainland, and the grave is on the mainland as well.

  5. 77

    そのうえむかしはしまではしゅっさんもできなかったし、きをきることもきんじられていたのです。

    Moreover, in the old days childbirth was not allowed on the island, and cutting down trees was also prohibited.

  6. 78

    ですから、このしまにはげんせいりんがのこっているのです。

    Therefore, primeval forests remain on this island.

  7. 79

    したがってしょくぶつがくじょうでもおもしろいところとされています。

    Consequently, it is also considered an interesting place from a botanical standpoint.

Shrines, temples and coastal views · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Natural and man-made beauty

*自然の 美と 人こうの 美を うまく ちょうわ させている* means "skillfully harmonizes natural beauty with man-made beauty."

The red lacquered shrine stands in the sea before green mountains. The great gate stands in the sea before the shrine.

Landmarks and distant views

*せんじょうかく や 五重の とう* names Senjokaku and the five-story pagoda on the hill northeast of the shrine.

The passage also places oyster beds on the mainland coast and the mountains of Shikoku far to the southeast.

  1. 80

    にほんさんけいのなかで、しぜんのびとじんこうのびをうまくちょうわさせているのはみやじまだけです。

    Of Japan's three most scenic places, Miyajima alone skillfully harmonizes natural beauty with man-made beauty.

  2. 81

    しゅぬりのいつくしまじんじゃがみどりのやまをはいけいにしてうみのなかにたっているながめはとてもすばらしいものです。

    The view of the vermilion-painted Itsukushima Shrine standing in the sea against a background of green mountains is truly magnificent.

  3. 82

    またいつくしまじんじゃのまえのうみにたっているとりいはにほんいちのおおとりいです。

    Also, the torii standing in the sea in front of Itsukushima Shrine is the largest torii in Japan.

  4. 83

    みやじまにはいつくしまじんじゃのほかにおてらもあります。

    Besides Itsukushima Shrine, there are also Buddhist temples on Miyajima.

  5. 84

    いつくしまじんじゃのとうほくのおかのうえにたっているせんじょうかくやごじゅうのとうはゆうめいです。

    The Senjokaku and the five-story pagoda standing on the hill northeast of Itsukushima Shrine are famous.

  6. 85

    ほんどのかいがんにはかきのようしょくじょうがみえ、ひろしま、えたじまがとうほくに、しこくのやまやまもはるかとうなんにみえ、ゆうだいなけしきです。

    You can see oyster beds along the coast of the mainland, Hiroshima and Etajima to the northeast, and the mountains of Shikoku far to the southeast; it is a grand view.

とても
very, indeed
もの
things (tangible)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)

Island size, rules and forests · Questions 1 of 2

From the ferry to the forest

*宮島口から何で 宮島に わたりますか* means "How do you cross over to Miyajima from Miyajima-Guchi?"

An answer names the ferry. Other answers give the island's size, sacred restrictions, mainland funerals, graves, and preserved primeval forest.

  1. 86

    みやじまぐちからなにでみやじまにわたりますか。

    How do you cross over to Miyajima from Miyajima-Guchi?

  2. 87

    みやじまはどのぐらいのおおきさのしまですか。

    How large an island is Miyajima?

  3. 88

    そのしまにはなにがしげっていますか。

    What grows thickly on that island?

  4. 89

    なぜみやじまではのうぎょうをやることもいぬをかうこともきんじられていますか。

    Why are both farming and keeping dogs prohibited on Miyajima?

  5. 90

    みやじまのひとはしぬと、そうしきはどこでやりますか。

    When a person from Miyajima dies, where is the funeral held?

  6. 91

    みやじまにははかがありますか。

    Are there graves on Miyajima?

  7. 92

    みやじまはなぜしょくぶつがくじょうでもおもしろいところですか。

    Why is Miyajima also interesting from a botanical standpoint?

  8. 93

    まつしまとあまのはしだてのびはどんなびですか。

    What kind of beauty do Matsushima and Amanohashidate have?

どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
なぜ
why?
どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Shrine colours and landmarks · Questions 2 of 2

Colors, places, and directions

*厳島神社は どんな 色でぬって ありますか* means "What color is Itsukushima Shrine painted?"

An answer describes its red lacquer. Other answers locate the great gate, Senjokaku, pagoda, oyster beds, nearby places, and distant mountains.

  1. 94

    みやじまのびはどんなびですか。

    What kind of beauty does Miyajima have?

  2. 95

    いつくしまじんじゃはどんないろでぬってありますか。

    What color is Itsukushima Shrine painted?

  3. 96

    みやじまのおおとりいはどこにたっていますか。

    Where does Miyajima's great torii stand?

  4. 97

    せんじょうかくやごじゅうのとうはどこにありますか。

    Where are the Senjokaku and the five-story pagoda?

  5. 98

    ほんどのかいがんにはなにがみえますか。

    What can be seen along the coast of the mainland?

  6. 99

    とうほくにどこがみえますか。

    What places can be seen to the northeast?

  7. 100

    はるかとうなんになにがみえますか。

    What can be seen far to the southeast?

Transport, places and dimensions · Word list 1 of 4

Travel and island size

These words cover the route to Miyajima, the island names, and its size.

*連絡船* means "railway ferry boat," *宮島口* names Miyajima-Guchi, and *しゅうい* means "circumference."

  1. 101

    ひろしまし

    City of Hiroshima

  2. 102

    こい

    P.N, in Hiroshima

  3. 103

    みやじまぐち

    P.N.

  4. 104

    れんらくせん

    railway ferry boat

  5. 105

    しゅうてん

    terminal point

  6. 106

    いつくしま

    P.N. Itsukushima Island

  7. 107

    せいしき

    formal

  8. 108

    しゅうい

    circumference; environment

  9. 109

    たいぼく

    big tree

  10. 110

    まわり

    circumference; environment

広島市
City of Hiroshima
宮島口
P.N.
連絡船
railway ferry boat
終てん
terminal point

Gods, funerals and forests · Word list 2 of 4

Sacred life and the forest

These words cover sacred practices, death, and the forest.

*神* means "god," *原生林* means "primeval forest," and *も* means "as much as" or "as many as" after a numbered amount.

  1. 111

    かみ

    god

  2. 112

    まつる

    enshrine; dedicate; diefy

  3. 113

    しんせいな

    sacred; holy

  4. 114

    そうしき

    funeral

  5. 115

    ほんど

    mainland

  6. 116

    はか

    grave; tomb

  7. 117

    しゅっさん

    giving birth

  8. 118

    も

    as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes

  9. 119

    げんせいりん

    primeval forest; virgin forest

  10. 120

    しょくぶつがく

    botany; plant science

しんせいな
sacred; holy
そう式
funeral
原生林
primeval forest; virgin forest
植物学
botany; plant science

Beauty, colour and harmony · Word list 3 of 4

The language of the view

These words describe the shrine, its setting, and the beauty they form together.

*しゅぬり* means "red lacquered," *はい景* means "background," and *ちょうわ* means "harmony."

  1. 121

    ---じょう

    suffix meaning ”from the standpoint

  2. 122

    きょうみ

    interest

  3. 123

    しゅぬり

    red lacquered

  4. 124

    はいけい

    background

  5. 125

    おおとりい

    the big Torii

  6. 126

    ちょうわ

    harmony; agreement, concord

  7. 127

    びかん

    fine view; beautiful spectacle

  8. 128

    び

    beauty

  9. 129

    じんこうの

    artificial; man made

  10. 130

    ちょうわさせる

    harmonize (v.t.)

---上
suffix meaning ”from the standpoint”
しゅぬり
red lacquered
はい景
background
ちょうわ
harmony; agreement, concord
美かん
fine view; beautiful spectacle
人こうの
artificial; man made
ちょうわさせる
harmonize (v.t.)

Temples, directions and scenery · Word list 4 of 4

Landmarks and directions

These words cover temples, hills, directions, and distant scenery.

*せんじょうかく* names Senjokaku Temple, *五重のとう* means "five-tiered pagoda," and *かきようしょく場* means "oyster bed."

  1. 131

    てら

    Buddhist temple

  2. 132

    せんじょうかく

    P.N. Senjookaku Temple

  3. 133

    ごじゅうのとう

    five tiered pagoda

  4. 134

    とう

    tower

  5. 135

    とうほく

    northeast

  6. 136

    おか

    hill; knoll

  7. 137

    かきようしょくじょう

    oyster bed

  8. 138

    とうなん

    southeast

  9. 139

    はるか

    in the distance

Guide for Free Conversation

1a Topic Titles Talk about Itsukushima,

(1) Location

(2) Size

(3) What it is famous for, etc,

2a Visual Cues Look at the pictures on Page 10 to 12 and describe them.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill,

3 Study Pattern Practice and do the exercise given.

4 Learn to read and write new Kanji,

5 Read the Explanatory Notes,

6 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercise given.
せんじょうかく
P.N. Senjookaku Temple
五重のとう
five tiered pagoda
かきようしょく場
oyster bed

The particulars

The course
Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.