Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 105

Lesson 107

Reading Japan

114 lines

The ancient capital and culture · Dialogue 1 of 4

Japan's first permanent capital

One speaker asks for a short account of Nara. The reply says, *奈良 は 日本 で 最初 の えいきゅう的 な 都 でした*, "Nara was the first permanent capital in Japan."

Nara and its surroundings contain many art objects, Shinto shrines, and Buddhist temples. The region was an early center of Japanese arts, crafts, and literature.

The capital remained there from 710 to 784. During that period, Japan brought in culture from China with vigor.

Kanji: 奈, 良, 化

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

Kanji: 都

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

  1. 1

    きょうはならについてすこしはなしてくださいませんか。

    Won’t you please talk about Nara today?

    今日today
    はtopic
    奈良Nara
    にabout
    ついabout
    てabout
    少しa little
    話しtalk
    てtalk
    くださいplease
    ませpolite
    んnot
    か。question
  2. 2

    しょうちしました。ならはにほんでさいしょのえいきゅうてきなみやこでした。

    O. K. Nara was the first permanent capital in Japan.

  3. 3

    それではきょうとよりふるいんですね。

    Then, it is older than Kyoto, isn’t it?

  4. 4

    そうです。げんざいのならしがみやこになったのはせいれきななひゃくじゅうねんで、それからななひゃくはちじゅうよねんまでそこにみやこがあったのです。

    Yes, it is. The year that the present city of Nara became the capital was 710 A.D., and it was there until 784 A.D.

  5. 5

    それから、きょうとにうつったのですか。

    Then, did it move to Kyoto?

  6. 6

    そう。みやこがならにあったじだいにはちゅうごくから、さかんにぶんかをとりいれました。

    Yes. During the era when the capital was in Nara, they brought in culture from China with vigor.

--- N DESUTTE NE or ---N DATTE NE
Following the basic form (dictionary form) of verbs and i-adjectives and the attributive base of i-adjectives, N DESUTTE NE or --N DATTE NE express the meaning of “I understand that ---, (isn’t that so?)” or “I hear that ---, (isn’t that right?)”. DESUTTE NE also follows nouns.

KARE WA YOKU NOMUN DATTE NE. “I understand he drinks a lot, isn’t that right?”

HOKKAIDOO WA FUYU SAMUIN DESUTTE NE. “I hear that Hokkaido is cold in the winter, isn’t that right?”

TANAKA-SAN WA GORUFU GA JOOZU NAN DESUTTE NE. “I hear that Mr. Tanaka is good in golf, isn’t that right?”

KINOO SAN FURANSHISUKO E ITTAN DESUTTE NE. “I understand you went to San Francisco yesterday, isn’t that right?”

GASORIN NO NEDAN GA MATA AGARUN DATTE NE. “I understand that the price of gasoline is going to go up again, isn’t that right?”

ANO HITO WA SENSEI DESUTTE NE. “I understand he is a teacher, isn’t that right?”

At times DESUTTE is used without NE.

NIHON E ITTAN DESUTTE. “I understand he went to Japan.”

BYOOKI NI NATTAN DESUTTE. “I understand he got sick.”
NARA
Nara and its vicinity, which constitute a veritable depository of art objects, occupy approximately the northern half of Nara Prefecture and were the grand theater of early Japanese history. This region also played an important role as the cradle of Japan’s arts, crafts, literature, and industries. Nara still has many classical Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples from which much can be learned about Japan’s distant past. These structures are situated in the midst of scenic surroundings in a highly restful atmosphere. A large number of visitors, including foreign tourists, are annually attracted to this historical city.
TOODAIJI
TOODAIJI, the grand headquarters of the Kegon sect, is well known for its chief object of worship, the Daibutsu, the largest bronze statue in the world. It was in the year 745 that the construction of the TOODAIJI Temple was started under the command of the 45th Emperor Shoomu and it was successfully completed in 752. Through successive generations, the Toodaiji Temple enjoyed the highest honor as the head of all the “Provincial Temples” and also as one of the “Seven Great Temples” of Nara.
DAIBUTSUDEN
The hall of the Great Buddha was burned by Taira-no-Shigehira, a powerful general of the Taira clan, in 1180 when the Koofukuji Temple shared the same fate. Its restoration was sponsored by the Abbot Choogen and its completion ceremony took place in 1195. The Emperor Gotoba (1180-1239), the Shogun Yoritomo (1147-1199), and other dignitaries participated. Again, in 1567, the hall of the Great Buddha was reduced to ashes as a result of a conflict between two feudal lords, but it was restored in 1708. Its latest renovation was undertaken in 1914, at a cost of ¥ 750,000. It required more than 250,000 workdays by the men employed.
HOORYUUJI Temple
HOORYUUJI, the oldest existing temple in Japan and perhaps the most antique wooden structure in the world, was founded in 607 by Prince Shootoku, Regent of the Empress-Regnant Suiko, in obedience to her command. The Hooryuuji Temple, one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, is regarded as the fountainhead of Japanese art and culture. It consists of two sections, namely, the Tooin or Higashi-no-in (East Temple) and the Saiin or Nishi-no-in (West Temple). Altogether it comprises 33 buildings. Of these 33 buildings, 12 are registered as “Important Cultural Properties” and 9 as “National Treasures.” Besides the many Buddhist sculptures and paraphernalia belonging to the Hooryuuji Temple, 106 items or 421 pieces are listed as “Important Cultural Properties.”
SHOOSOOIN
West of the Daibutsuden, is an isolated building resembling a large log cabin. It consists of three compartments in which are preserved the art works of the

5 Tempyo Period (710-794 A.D.), comprising jewels, objects of glass, musical instruments, silverware, writing materials, wearing apparel, masks, mirrors, etc. These precious objects formerly belonged to the Emperor Shoomu, on whose death they were donated to the Toodaiji Temple. The SHOOSOOIN is securely sealed but it can be inspected from mid-October to early November when the contents are aired.
今日
today
は
leaves
奈良
P.N.
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
つい
just; only
少し
little (quantity)
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
な
I wish, I hope, huh
都
capital
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
古い
old, antique
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
現在
present; at present
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
西れき
Christian era: A.D.
七百
700
十
ten
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
八十
80
四
four
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
そこ
there
時代
era, period
中国
China
文化
culture
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)

Great statues and temples · Dialogue 2 of 4

The temple of the Great Buddha

The conversation names two world-famous temples in Nara. *東大寺 は 何で 有名 ですか* asks, "What is TOODAIJI famous for?"

*東大寺* is the head temple of the Kegon sect. Its chief object of worship is the *大仏*, the largest bronze statue in the world.

The Great Buddha is 17 meters high. *かまくら の 大仏 より 大きいんですってね* means "I understand it is larger than the Great Buddha of Kamakura, isn't that so?"

The oldest existing temple

*法りゅう寺* is the other temple named in the conversation. It is the oldest existing temple in Japan and perhaps the oldest wooden structure worldwide.

Prince Shootoku founded it in 607. Its 33 buildings form the East Temple and the West Temple.

Twelve buildings are registered as Important Cultural Properties. Nine are National Treasures.

Kanji: 仏

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

  1. 7

    ぶっきょうがさかんになったのもそのころですね。

    It was around this time that Buddhism flourished, wasn’t it?

  2. 8

    そうです。とうだいじ、ほうりゅうじなどせかいてきにゆうめいなてらがたったのもそのころでした。

    Yes. It was around that time too, that such world famous temples as TOODAIJI and HOORYUUJI were built.

  3. 9

    とうだいじはなんでゆうめいですか。

    What is TOODAIJI famous for?

  4. 10

    だいぶつとだいぶつでんです。

    It is famous for the Great Buddha and the Hall of the Great Buddha.

  5. 11

    かまくらのだいぶつよりおおきいんですってね。

    I understand it is larger than the Great Buddha of Kamakura, isn’t that so?

  6. 12

    ええ、かまくらのよりはずっとおおきいのです。ならのだいぶつはたかさがじゅうしちメートルですが、かまくらのはじゅうメートルそこそこですからね。

    Yes, it is much larger than that of Kamakura. The height of the Great Buddha of Nara is 17 meters, whereas that of Kamakura is only 10 meters, you see.

仏教
Buddhism
も
as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
ころ
season
東
east
寺
Buddhist temple
など
and so forth, etc.
大仏
Great Buddha
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
ずっと
by far; very much
七
seven
メートル
meter
そこそこ
only about

Statue history and treasures · Dialogue 3 of 4

The rebuilt hall

The Great Buddha stands inside *大仏でん*, a wooden building about 166 feet high. The hall burned in 1180 and was restored by 1195.

It burned again in 1567 during a conflict between two feudal lords. It was restored in 1708.

*今 たっている 大仏でん は 千七百九年 に たったものです* says the present hall was built in 1709. Its latest renovation was in 1914.

The imperial treasure house

Near the hall stands *しょうそう院*. It preserves valuable treasures owned by Emperor Shoomu during the Nara period.

Its three compartments hold jewels, glass, musical instruments, silverware, clothing, masks, and mirrors. The treasures were given to *TOODAIJI* after his death.

The sealed building can be inspected from mid-October to early November while its contents are aired.

Kanji: 皇

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

Kanji: 地, 宝

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

  1. 13

    それはおおきいですね。

    That surely is big.

  2. 14

    それがだいぶつでんという、たかさひゃくろくじゅうろくフィートくらいのたてもののなかにあるのです。もくぞうけんちくではせかいでいちばんたかいとか。

    And that is housed in a building called DAIBUTSUDEN, which is about 166 feet in height. I hear that it is the tallest wooden building in the world or something to that effect.

  3. 15

    そのだいぶつができたのはいつごろですか。

    About when was it that the Great Buddha was made?

  4. 16

    せいれきななひゃくよんじゅうきゅうねんにかんせいしたのですが、それからあと、じしんやかじで、とうぶがおちたり、だいぶつでんがやけたりしました。いまたっているだいぶつでんはせんななひゃくきゅうねんにたったものです。むかしのほどおおきくはありませんが。

    It was completed in the year 749 A.D., but after that the head fell off and the Hall of the Great Buddha was burned by an earthquake and fire. The Hall of the Great Buddha that is standing now was built in 1709. It’s not as big as the ancient one, but ----- .

  5. 17

    そのほかならでみるべきものは。

    What other things should you see in Nara?

  6. 18

    だいぶつでんのちかくにしょうそういんというのがあります。これにはならじだい、しょうむてんのうがもっておられた、きちょうなほうもつがしまってあります。

    There is a building called “Shoosooin” near the Hall of the Great Buddha. In it valuable treasures that Emperor Shoomu possessed during the Nara period are stored.

言う、
to say
百
100
六十
60
六
six
くらい
dark
たてもの
building
ある
certain, some
木
tree, wood
けんちく
architecture; construction
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
四十
40
九
nine
地しん
earthquake
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
火事
conflagration; fire
頭部
the head portion
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
千
1,000
もの
things (tangible)
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
近く
vicinity
しょう
award, reward
ます。
trout
時代、
era, period
天皇
emperor
宝物
treasure

Viewing the imperial treasures · Dialogue 4 of 4

Treasures shown during the airing period

The conversation compares the Shoosooin to a museum. *いつも あいている のでは ないのです* means "It is not always open."

Its treasures can be viewed only during the airing period from mid-October to early November.

*宝石、ガラス せいひん、がっき、銀 の 物、着物、かがみ など 色々 あります* lists jewels, glassware, musical instruments, silverware, clothing, and mirrors.

Kanji: 博, 石

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

  1. 19

    はくぶつかんのようなものですか。

    Is it something like a museum?

  2. 20

    はくぶつかんといえないことはないのですが、じゅうがつちゅうじゅんからじゅういちがつじょうじゅんのむしぼしのきかんをのぞいては、ほうもつをみることはできません。いつもあいているのではないのです。

    You could call it a museum, but except for a period of airing which is from the middle part of October to the first part of November, you cannot see the treasures. It is not always open.

  3. 21

    どんなたからがしまってあるのですか。

    What kinds of treasures are stored?

  4. 22

    ほうせき、ガラスせいひん、がっき、ぎんのもの、きもの、かがみなどいろいろあります。

    There are many kinds, like jewels, glassware, musical instruments, silverware, clothing, mirrors, and so on.

  5. 23

    ぜひみたいものですね。

    I would surely like to see them.

  6. 24

    ふるいびじゅつやれきしにきょうみをもっているひとはぜひみたらよいとおもいます。

    I think those who have an interest in ancient art and history should see them by all means.

が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
中旬
middle 10 days of a month
一
one
上旬
first 10 days of a month
期間
period; duration
いつ
when?
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
宝
treasure
宝石、
jewel
ガラス
glass
がっき、
musical instrument
銀
silver
かがみ
mirror
ぜひ
by all means
美術
fine art
れきし
history
きょうみ
interest
人
people

Reporting what you heard · Perception drill

A report that seeks agreement

*昨晩 カーメル で 道 に まよったんですってね* means "I hear you got lost last night in Carmel, isn't that so?"

The speaker repeats information heard elsewhere and asks the listener to confirm it.

The form after a plain predicate

*んですってね* and *んだってね* follow the plain form of a verb or I-adjective. They mean "I hear that, isn't that right?"

*奈良 の 大仏 は かまくら の より 大きいんですってね* reports that Nara's Great Buddha is larger than Kamakura's and seeks confirmation.

*ですってね* also follows a noun. *ですって* can appear without *ね* when the speaker reports information without seeking agreement.

  1. 25

    ならのだいぶつはかまくらのよりおおきいんですってね（---んだってね）

    I understand that the Great Buddha of Nara is larger than that of Kamakura, (isn’t that so)?

  2. 26

    べいこくではこのごろじゅうどうがさかんになったんだってね。

    I understand that JUUDOO has become very popular in the United States these days, (isn’t that so)?

  3. 27

    ええ、とても。ことにカリフォルニアしゅうではね。

    Yes, very much so. Especially in the State of California.

  4. 28

    あなたのおくさんはすきやきはあまりたべないんですってね。

    I understand that your wife doesn’t eat Sukiyaki too much, is that right?

  5. 29

    ええ、なかのやさいがきらいないんです。にくだけならたべるのですが。

    No. She doesn’t like vegetables in it. If it’s just meat, she’ll eat, but ----- .

  6. 30

    たなかさんはにゅういんしているんだってね。

    I understand Mr. Tanaka has been hospitalized, isn’t that right?

  7. 31

    ええ、かぜをひいていたのに、すこしむりをして、はいえんをおこしたそうです。

    Yes, as I understand it, he caught a cold and overworked in spite of it, so it developed into pneumonia.

  8. 32

    さくばんカーメルでみちにまよったんですってね。

    I hear you got lost last night in Carmel, isn’t that so?

  9. 33

    ええ、カーメルというところはほんとうにみちのわかりにくいところですね。

    Yes, Carmel is really a difficult place to find the road.

  10. 34

    いまさかながよくつれるんだってね。

    I understand that the fishing is good now.

  11. 35

    そうか。じゃ、ぼくもこんしゅうまつごろつりにいってみようかな。

    Is that so? Then, I shall go fishing and see around this weekend.

ね（---
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
道
road, street
とても。
very, indeed
すきやき
SUKIYAKI
やさい
vegetable
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
肉
meat, flesh
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
かぜ
wind
い
stomach
カーメル
Carmel
言う
to say
所
address, place
よく
well, skillfully
釣れる
can be fished
僕
I (see notes)
今週
this week
な。
I wish, I hope, huh

Hearsay about people and events · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Different kinds of reports

The hearsay form follows several kinds of plain predicates. *北海道 の 冬 は さむいんですってね* means "I hear winters in Hokkaido are cold."

*パーカーさん は 自動車 を ぬすまれたんだってね* reports that Mr. Parker had his car stolen.

The same form reports present states, future actions, completed actions, and honorific actions.

  1. 36

    ほっかいどうのふゆはさむいんですってね。

    I hear winters in Hokkaido are cold.

  2. 37

    たむらさんはさけはきらいなんですってね。

    I hear Mr. Tamura does not like sake.

  3. 38

    スミスさんはらいしゅうからにほんごをならうんですってね。

    I hear Mr. Smith is going to start learning Japanese next week.

  4. 39

    おおきさんはあたらしいじどうしゃをかったんですってね。

    I hear Mr. Oki bought a new car.

  5. 40

    やまださんはひだりのみみがきこえないんですってね。

    I hear Mr. Yamada cannot hear out of his left ear.

  6. 41

    パーカーさんはじどうしゃをぬすまれたんだってね。

    I hear Mr. Parker had his car stolen.

  7. 42

    けさゆきがふったんだってね。

    I hear it snowed this morning.

  8. 43

    おくさんはにほんへいらっしゃるんですってね。

    I hear your wife is coming to Japan.

  9. 44

    おくさんはにほんへおいでになるんですってね。

    I hear your wife is coming to Japan.

冬
winter
さむい
cold
酒
Sake, rice wine
来週
next week
大木
big tree
車
vehicle, car
雪
snow
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
いらっしゃる
to come, go (honorific verb)

Discussing reported plans and abilities · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A report followed by detail

*家 を 売るんですってね* means "I hear you are going to sell your house." The reply explains the decision.

*スミスさん は テニス が 上手 ですってね* means "I hear Mr. Smith is good at tennis." The report presents an ability for confirmation.

Each report presents information for confirmation. The reply then supplies a reason, time, or further detail.

  1. 45

    ええ、きゅうににほんへあそびにいくことにしたのです。

    Yes, she suddenly decided to go to Japan for a visit.

  2. 46

    いつごろおたちになるんですか。

    About when will she leave?

  3. 47

    らいげつのはじめです。

    At the beginning of next month.

  4. 48

    いえをうるんですってね。

    I hear you are going to sell your house.

  5. 49

    ええ、にほんへいくことになりましたから、うることにしました。

    Yes, since it has been decided that I am going to Japan, I decided to sell it.

  6. 50

    パーカーさんはこのごろみせのしごとがいそがしいんですってね。

    I hear Mr. Parker has been busy with work at the store lately.

  7. 51

    そうでしょうね。クリスマスまえですからね。

    I suppose so, since it is just before Christmas.

  8. 52

    スミスさんはテニスがじょうずですってね。

    I hear Mr. Smith is good at tennis.

  9. 53

    ええ、このへんではあのひとのみぎにでるものはあまりいないでしょうね。

    Yes, there are probably not many people around here who can surpass him.

急
steep; sudden
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
来月
next month
家
house, home
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
店
store, shop
いそがしい
busy
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
前
before, front
テニス
tennis
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
出る
come out to the phone, go out, come out (vi)
者
person

Restating reports as hearsay · Pattern 1 3 of 3

From a statement to a report

*山本さん は 日本へ 帰るんですってね* means "I hear Mr. Yamamoto is going back to Japan." The plain verb comes before *んですってね*.

A statement such as *ニューヨーク の 夏 は むしあつい* gives information directly. Adding the hearsay form presents that information as a report.

The same change applies to statements about ability, past actions, future plans, unusual things, and illness.

  1. 54

    やまもとさんはにほんへかえるんですってね。

    I hear Mr. Yamamoto is going back to Japan.

  2. 55

    ええ、けっこんのためにちょっとにほんにかえってくるそうです。

    Yes, I hear he is going back to Japan for a short time to get married.

  3. 56

    ニューヨークのなつはむしあつい。

    Summers in New York are hot and humid.

  4. 57

    スミスさんはにほんごがじょうずです。

    Mr. Smith is good at Japanese.

  5. 58

    さくばんおそくかえりました。

    I came home late last night.

  6. 59

    たむらさんはらいげつにほんへいきます。

    Mr. Tamura is going to Japan next month.

  7. 60

    これはにほんではめずらしい。

    This is unusual in Japan.

  8. 61

    おおきさんのおくさんはびょうきです。

    Mr. Oki's wife is ill.

ちょっと
a little
ニューヨーク
New York
夏
summer
むしあつい。
sultry, humid
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)
帰り
return trip (See notes)

Questions about ancient temples · Questions 1 of 2

Nara's early history

The passage reviews Nara as Japan's first permanent capital and a center for culture from China and Buddhism.

It identifies *東大寺* and *法りゅう寺* as famous temples. It then describes the Great Buddha, the hall, and the Shoosooin.

*東大寺 は 何で 有名ですか* asks "What is Todaiji famous for?" An answer names the Great Buddha and the Great Buddha Hall.

  1. 62

    ならはにほんでさいしょのえいきゅうてきなみやこのあったところです。みやこがならにあったじだいにはちゅうごくからさかんにぶんかがとりいれられました。またにほんにぶっきょうがさかんになったのもこのころでした。ならにはゆうめいなおてらがたくさんありますが、そのなかでせかいてきにしられているのはとうだいじ、ほうりゅうじなどです。とうだいじはだいぶつとだいぶつでんでゆうめいです。このだいぶつはたかさがじゅうしちメートルもあって、かまくらのだいぶつよりはずっとおおきいのです。このだいぶつはせいれきななひゃくよんじゅうきゅうねんに

    Nara is the place where Japan had its first permanent capital. During the era when the capital was in Nara, culture was vigorously brought in from China. It was also around this time that Buddhism flourished in Japan. There are many famous temples in Nara, and among them, Todaiji and Horyuji are known throughout the world. Todaiji is famous for its Great Buddha and the Great Buddha Hall. This Great Buddha is as much as seventeen meters tall and is much larger than the Great Buddha at Kamakura. This Great Buddha was completed in A.D. 749.

  2. 63

    かんせいしたのです。しかし、そのごなんどもやけたり、こわれたりしました。このだいぶつはだいぶつでんという、たかさひゃくろくじゅうろくフィートぐらいのたてもののなかにあります。いまたっているだいぶつでんはせんななひゃくきゅうねんにたったもので、もくぞうけんちくではせかいでいちばんたかいものです。ふるいびじゅつやれきしにきょうみをもっているひとのぜひみるべきものにしょうそういんというのがあります。しょうそういんはだいぶつでんのちかくにあって、ならじだいしょうむてんのうがもっておられたほうせき、ガラスせいひん、がっき、ぎんのもの、

    However, it later burned or was damaged many times. This Great Buddha is inside a building about 166 feet tall called the Great Buddha Hall. The Great Buddha Hall that stands today was built in 1709 and is the tallest wooden structure in the world. One place that people interested in old art and history should be sure to see is called the Shosoin. The Shosoin is near the Great Buddha Hall and contains jewels, glassware, musical instruments, silver objects,

  3. 64

    きもの、かがみなどのほうもつがしまってあるのです。このしょうそういんはふつうのはくぶつかんとはちがってじゅうがつちゅうじゅんからじゅういちがつじょうじゅんにかけてのむしぼしのきかんをのぞいてはあいていないのです。

    clothing, mirrors, and other treasures that Emperor Shomu owned during the Nara period. Unlike an ordinary museum, the Shosoin is open only during the airing-out period from the middle of October to the beginning of November.

  4. 65

    にほんでさいしょのえいきゅうてきなみやこのあったところはどこですか。

    Where was the first permanent capital in Japan?

  5. 66

    みやこがならにあったじだいには、どんなことがありましたか。

    What happened during the era when the capital was in Nara?

  6. 67

    にほんにぶっきょうがさかんになったのはいつごろですか。

    About when did Buddhism flourish in Japan?

  7. 68

    ならにはどんなゆうめいなおてらがありますか。

    What famous temples are there in Nara?

  8. 69

    とうだいじはなんでゆうめいですか。

    What is Todaiji famous for?

  9. 70

    ならのだいぶつはたかさがどのくらいありますか。

    How tall is the Great Buddha in Nara?

ます
trout
しかし、
however, but
ぐらい
about
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)

Questions about statues and treasures · Questions 2 of 2

The hall and the treasure house

These questions ask about the Great Buddha's size, the hall's rebuilding, and the Shoosooin's contents and opening period.

*大仏でん は たてなおされましたか* means "Was the Great Buddha Hall rebuilt?" An answer states that repeated fires and damage required rebuilding.

*しょうそう院 は いつも あいていますか* asks whether the Shoosooin is always open. The answer gives its autumn airing period.

  1. 71

    ならのだいぶつはかまくらのにくらべてどうですか。

    How does the Great Buddha in Nara compare with the one at Kamakura?

  2. 72

    だいぶつでんはどんなたてものですか。

    What kind of building is the Great Buddha Hall?

  3. 73

    だいぶつでんはたてなおされましたか。

    Was the Great Buddha Hall rebuilt?

  4. 74

    なぜですか。

    Why?

  5. 75

    ふるいびじゅつやれきしにきょうみをもっているひとのぜひみるべきものになにがありますか。

    What is there that people interested in old art and history should be sure to see?

  6. 76

    しょうそういんにはなにがいれてありますか。

    What is kept in the Shosoin?

  7. 77

    しょうそういんはいつもあいていますか。

    Is the Shosoin always open?

  8. 78

    いつあいていますか。

    When is it open?

たて
vertical
なぜ
why?

Culture, religion and temples · Word list 1 of 3

Culture and temples

These words cover Nara's history, imported culture, Buddhism, and major temples.

*文化* means "culture," while *取り入れる* means "adopt, bring in, or import." Together they describe culture brought from China.

*東大寺* is "Toodaiji Temple," *法りゅう寺* is "Hooryuuji Temple," and *大仏* is "Great Buddha."

  1. 79

    なら

    P.N.

  2. 80

    せいれき

    Christian era: A.D.

  3. 81

    うつる

    move (v.i.)

  4. 82

    さかんに

    enthusiastically; with vigor

  5. 83

    ぶんか

    culture

  6. 84

    とりいれる

    adopt; bring in; import

  7. 85

    ぶっきょう

    Buddhism

  8. 86

    さかんになる

    flourish (v.i.)

  9. 87

    たつ

    be built (v.i.)

  10. 88

    とうだいじ

    Tōdaiji Temple

  11. 89

    ほうりゅうじ

    Hōryūji Temple

  12. 90

    だいぶつ

    Great Buddha

移る
move (v.i.)
さかんに
enthusiastically; with vigor
取り入れる
adopt; bring in; import
さかんになる
flourish (v.i.)
たつ
to pass (time), elapse
東大寺
Tōdaiji Temple
法りゅう寺
Hōryūji Temple

Buildings, disasters and emperors · Word list 2 of 3

The hall and its treasures

These words cover the Great Buddha Hall, its construction and disasters, and the imperial treasures nearby.

*大仏でん* means "Hall of the Great Buddha." *地しん* means "earthquake," and *火事* means "fire."

*しょうむ天皇* is "Emperor Shoomu." *きちょうな* means "valuable," *宝物* means "treasure," and *しまってあります* means "are stored."

  1. 91

    だいぶつでん

    Hall of the Great Buddha

  2. 92

    もくぞうけんちく

    wooden structure

  3. 93

    かんせい（する）

    completion(complete)(v.i.)

  4. 94

    じしん

    earthquake

  5. 95

    かじ

    conflagration; fire

  6. 96

    とうぶ

    the head portion

  7. 97

    しょうそういん

    Shōsōin treasury

  8. 98

    しょうむてんのう

    Emperor Shōmu

  9. 99

    てんのう

    emperor

  10. 100

    きちょうな

    important; valuable

  11. 101

    ほうもつ

    treasure

  12. 102

    しまってあります

    are stored

大仏でん
Hall of the Great Buddha
木ぞうけんちく
wooden structure
かんせい（する）
completion(complete)(v.i.)
しょうそう院
Shōsōin treasury
しょうむ天皇
Emperor Shōmu
きちょうな
important; valuable
しまってあります
are stored

Museums, treasures and art · Word list 3 of 3

A museum and its contents

These words cover the Shoosooin's opening period, its treasures, and their historical setting.

*博物館* means "museum," *むしぼし（する）* means "airing or air," and *期間* means "period or duration."

The contents include *宝石*, "jewel," *ガラス せいひん*, "glassware," and *がっき*, "musical instrument." *奈良時代* means "Nara period."

  1. 103

    はくぶつかん

    museum

  2. 104

    むしぼし（する）

    airing; (air)(v.t.)

  3. 105

    きかん

    period; duration

  4. 106

    たから

    treasure

  5. 107

    ほうせき

    jewel

  6. 108

    ガラスせいひん

    glassware

  7. 109

    がっき

    musical instrument

  8. 110

    ぎんのもの

    silverware

  9. 111

    かがみ

    mirror

  10. 112

    びじゅつ

    fine art

  11. 113

    ちゅうごく

    China

  12. 114

    ならじだい

    Nara period (645-794)

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Topic titles:

a Talk about places of interest in Nara, one asking questions and the others answering.

a(1) TOODAIJI

a(2) DAIBUTSUDEN

a(3) DAIBUTSU

a(4) SHOOSOOIN

2 Visual cues:

a Look at the sketches and maps on page 126 to 127 and talk about them.

b Look at the pictures on page 128 to 129 and talk about them.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study the Grammar Perception Drill.

3 Study the Pattern Practice and do the exercise given.

4 Learn to read and write Kanji.

5 Read the Explanatory Notes.

6 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.
博物館
museum
むしぼし（する）
airing; (air)(v.t.)
宝石
jewel
ガラスせいひん
glassware
がっき
musical instrument
銀の物
silverware
奈良時代
Nara period (645-794)

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.