Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 109

Lesson 111

Reading Japan

126 lines

Japanese gardens around Kyoto · Dialogue 1 of 6

Gardens around Kyoto

Two speakers discuss the many kinds of gardens around Kyoto. *京都市の 西南の かつらり宮の 庭園は 大変 有名です* means "The Katsura Detached Palace Garden in southwest Kyoto is very famous."

The villa stands between the Katsura River and the Nishiyama Hills. Its garden presents a front view from every position.

According to what I hear

*聞く ところによると、米国でも このごろは 日本風の 庭が このまれて いるとか* reports that Japanese-style gardens are preferred in the United States.

Here *聞く ところによると* presents the statement as information the speaker has heard.

Kanji: 派, 修

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

Kanji: 庭

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

  1. 1

    ぎんかくじのていえんはずいぶんりっぱだとおっしゃいましたが、きょうとはだいたいににわでゆうめいですね。

    You told me that the garden of the Silver Pavilion is splendid, but generally speaking, Kyoto is famous for gardens, isn’t it?

    銀Silver Pavilion
    かくSilver Pavilion
    寺Silver Pavilion
    の's
    庭園garden
    はtopic
    ずい分very
    立派splendid
    だis
    とquote
    おっしゃいsaid
    ましpolite
    たpast
    が、but
    京都Kyoto
    はtopic
    大体generally
    にspeaking
    庭gardens
    でfor
    有名famous
    ですis
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    そうです。きくところによると、べいこくでもこのごろはにほんふうのにわがこのまれているとか。

    Yes it is. According to what I hear, I understand that Japanese-style gardens are preferred these days even in the United States, is that right?

  3. 3

    そうです。はやっていますね。

    You are right. They surely are popular.

  4. 4

    そうききました。まあにわといってもしゅじゅあります。みずがあるにわとないにわ、やまがあるにわとないにわというふうにね。

    That’s what I heard. Speaking of gardens, there are all kinds, like gardens that have water, gardens that don’t have water, gardens that have mountains, and gardens that don’t have mountains, etc.

  5. 5

    で、きょうとではどのにわがゆうめいですか。

    Then, what garden is famous in Kyoto?

  6. 6

    きょうとしのせいなんのかつらりきゅうのていえんはたいへんゆうめいです。それから、だいごじのさんぼういん、しゅうがくいんなどはさんすいのにわです。

    The Katsura Detached Palace Garden in the southwest of Kyoto is very famous. Then, the Sambooin of Daigo Temple and Shuugakuin are landscape gardens.

---TOKORO NI YORU TO Following the basic form of verbs, both past and non-past, TOKORO NI YORU TO expresses the meaning of "according to what I (verb)." In many cases, sentences using TOKORO NI YORU TO are concluded with an expression TO KA, which has a similar meaning as SOO DESU.

Examples:

YUUJIN KARA KIKU TOKORO NI YORU TO. "According to what I hear from my friend."

WATAKUSHI NO MITA TOKORO NI YORU TO. "According to what I saw."

KARE NO ITTA TOKORO NI YORU TO. "According to what he said."

ZASSHI DE YONDA TOKORO NI YORU TO. "According to what I read in a magazine."

GAKKOO DE NARATTA TOKORO NI YORU TO. "According to what I learned in school."

WATAKUSHI NO SHITTE IRU TOKORO NI YORU TO. "According to what I know."

Noun plus NI YORU TO has been introduced in Lesson 74.

RAJIO NI YORU TO. "According to the radio."

SHIMBUN NI YORU TO. "According to the newspaper."
1 KATSURA RIKYUU It is situated between the Katsura River and Nishiyama Hills in the outskirts of the city. It was built by order of TOYOTOMI HIDEYOSHI (1536-1598). The house and garden are in quiet, beautiful surroundings, with views of Arashiyama and the Kameyama Hills. It is generally said that they were designed by Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) and represent the highest achievements of his art. The work was commenced in 1590 on a small scale, which was increased afterwards, and the whole is an example of typical Japanese landscape gardening. One peculiarity of the garden is that it is so planned that wherever the visitor stands he apparently sees the front view and never feels that he is taking a wrong position to enjoy the beauties of the landscape. The villa was taken over by the Imperial Household in 1883 and great pains have been taken since then to preserve the original structure.
RYOOANJI Temple It was founded in 1473 by Hosokawa Katsumoto whose tomb is in the temple grounds. It is noted for its marvelous rock garden, which contains no trees, and is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Sooami, who was greatly influenced by Zen philosophy. Its simplicity is, however, so extreme that it is not thoroughly appreciated by amateurs, who see in it merely a flat space strewn with white sand, with several oddly shaped stones placed here and there.
3 ARASHIYAMA It is popularly called RANZAN, and it is an extremely beautiful spot believed to contain within its limited area all the beauties of nature. The beauty of the spot lies in the varied vegetation of the hillside facing the river, large pines being interspersed with innumerable cherry and maple trees, which in their respective seasons make the place exquisitely beautiful. The cherry trees were transplanted from Yoshino in the latter part of the 13th century. The proper name of Arashiyama Park is Kameyama Park because of its association with Emperor Kameyama. Along the bank of the river below the park there are several fine inns and restaurants, one with a mineral spring bath, where excursion boats may be hired.
ENRYAKUJI Temple It is located in groves of Japanese cypress trees on the summit of Mt. HIEI. From the historical as well as the religious standpoint, the Enryakuji is one of the most important temples in this country. It was founded in 788 by DENGYOO DAISHI, the distinguished founder of the TENDAI sect, by order of the Emperor Kammu. The object of its foundation was to protect the new capital from evil spirits which were supposed to come from the northeast. Later, however, it proved more of an affliction than a blessing, as the great monastery which developed from a small beginning became filled with turbulent monks clad in armor, who made frequent raids on the city and sometimes threatened the Imperial Palace. These troublesome monks were finally dispersed by Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), who destroyed the temple buildings completely. Although the monastery was restored in the time of Hideyoshi and was greatly enlarged by the third Tokugawa Shoogun Iemitsu, the priests never again assumed their old warlike character.
GION Festival Gion Festival dates back to 876, when the head priest of the shrine assembled a large number of men and women, and formed a procession with decorated shrine-cars as a means of seeking the protection of the gods against a pestilence that was ravaging the city. On July 17 and 24, a procession of gorgeously decorated floats parade the principal streets of the city. There are two kinds of decorated floats, the YAMA and the HOKO. The YAMA is carried on the shoulders of a number of men by means of long poles and contains a figure or figures tastefully arranged with beautiful decorations. The HOKO is a kind of ornamental tower placed on four massive, wooden wheels and beautifully decorated. The ceremony begins with the washing of the shrine-cars (MIKOSHI-ARAI).
JIDAI MATSURI This festival is held annually on October 22. The chief feature of this festival is an interesting procession. It passes through the city, composed of groups dressed to represent important epochs in the history of Kyoto. Some of the subjects represented are the Shoogun’s suite when he visited the Imperial Palace, a procession of Court Nobles in the Fujiwara Period (897-1185), the triumphal return of General Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro (758-811) after his successful campaign in the northeast provinces, etc.
銀
silver
かく
each (prefix)
寺
Buddhist temple
の
See Grammar Notes
は
leaves
ずい分
very much
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
庭
garden; yard
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
も
as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
風
manner; way; appear-ance; kind; sort
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
い
stomach
ます
trout
まあ
Well! Oh, my!
水
water
ある
certain, some
山
mountain
言う
to say
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
西南
southwest
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
など
and so forth, etc.
山水
landscape; copying water and mountains; landscape painting

Dry gardens and river rapids · Dialogue 2 of 6

Rocks and sand

*石や 砂を 使っています* means "Rocks and sand are used." The speakers describe dry gardens at *竜安寺* and *大徳寺*.

The rock garden at *RYOOANJI* contains no trees. White sand and several stones form its plain design.

A river excursion

*嵐山、それから、保津川の 急流を 舟でくだるのも 面白いです* presents two scenic excursions: Arashiyama and a boat trip down the Hozu River rapids.

Pines, cherry trees, and maple trees cover the hillside facing the river at *ARASHIYAMA*. Excursion boats may be hired along the riverbank.

Kanji: 池, 津

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

  1. 7

    そのにわにはいけやちいさなかわのながれがあるのですか。

    Have those gardens a pond and a small stream?

  2. 8

    そうです。みずのないにわではりょうあんじ、だいとくじなどのにわがゆうめいです。

    That’s right. As for dry gardens, the gardens of Ryooanji and Daitokuji are famous.

  3. 9

    なんでやまやみずをあらわしていますか。

    The mountains and water are represented by what?

  4. 10

    いしやすなをつかっています。おおきないしがふたつならんでたっているのがやまとたきをあらわし、それから、すなをかいて、なみのようにみせるのです。

    Rocks and sand are used. Two large rocks standing side by side represent a mountain and a waterfall, and by raking the sand makes it look like waves.

  5. 11

    そのほかけしきのよいところもありますか。

    Are there other scenic spots?

  6. 12

    あらしやま、それから、ほづがわのきゅうりゅうをふねでくだるのもおもしろいです。

    There is Arashiyama and it is also interesting to shoot down the rapids of Hozugawa in a boat.

や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
小さな
small (See Gram. Notes)
川
river
流れ
current; flow
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
寺、
Buddhist temple
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
石
rock, stone
砂
sand
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
二
two
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
たき
waterfall
かい
counter meaning ”time” (frequency)
なみ
wave
見せる
to show (v.t.)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
所
address, place
嵐山、
P.N. in Kyoto
急流
rapid; swift current
舟
boat
くだる
go downstream (v.i.)

The Gion Festival parade · Dialogue 3 of 6

Two kinds of festival float

The speakers discuss the Gion Festival. *七月の 十七日と 二十四日です* gives the two parade dates: July 17 and 24.

The parade has two kinds of decorated float. The *YAMA* is carried by men, while the *HOKO* is a tower on four wooden wheels.

The line *この お祭の ほことか 山は 芸術品としても 有名です* says the floats are also famous as art objects.

Kanji: 祭

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

Kanji: 行

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

  1. 13

    ぎおんというのはなんですか。

    What is so-called ”Gion?

  2. 14

    ぎおんというのはきょうとのひとつのまちのなです。かんらくがいです。

    Gion is a district in the city of Kyoto. It is a gay district.

  3. 15

    ぎおんまつりというのはよくききますが、

    I often hear of the Gion Festival, but ---

  4. 16

    あれはたいへんにぎやかなまつりです。そのときには、にぎやかなぎょうれつがあります。ほこというくるまはおおきなものでほこさおのさきまでのたかさはよんじゅうメートルもあるものです。それをじゅうきゅうぐらいひっぱってぎょうれつします。

    It is a very gay festival. They have a gay parade at that time. A cart called HOKO is a big thing and the height of it to the tip of the spear pole is as high as forty meters. They parade pulling about nineteen of them.

  5. 17

    そのぎょうれつはいつありますか。

    When do they have that parade?

  6. 18

    しちがつのじゅうしちにちとにじゅうよっかです。おまつりはしちがつとおかからにじゅうくにちまでです。このおまつりのほことかやまはげいじゅつひんとしてもゆうめいです。

    On the 17th and the 24th of July. The festival is from the 10th of July to the 29th. These HOKO and YAMA are famous as art objects, too.

祇園
a district in Kyoto
一
one
町
town
名
name
よく
well, skillfully
にぎやか
merry; crowded; flourishing; gay
な
I wish, I hope, huh
時
time
行列
procession; parade (parade) (v.i.)
車
vehicle, car
もの
things (tangible)
さき
tip, point
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
四十
40
メートル
meter
十
ten
九
nine
ぐらい
about
し
city
いつ
when?
七
seven
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
二十
20
四
four
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
品
quality, goods

Festival costumes and mountain travel · Dialogue 4 of 6

Historical dress in procession

*時代祭と 言って、昔の いしょうを つけて 行列を します* describes the Jidai Festival procession in historical costumes.

The festival is held every year on October 22. Groups represent important periods in Kyoto history as they pass through the city.

Across Mount Hiei

The conversation turns to travel. *比叡山に 行って、そこから 琵琶湖 側の 阪本に おり、電車で 大津に 行きます* gives the route.

It goes over Mount Hiei, down to Sakamoto on the Lake Biwa side, and then by electric train to Ootsu.

Kanji: 平

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

  1. 19

    へいあんじんぐうのおまつりもあるとか。

    I understand there is also a festival of the Heian Shrine.

  2. 20

    あります。あれはたしかじゅうがつにじゅうににちとおもいます。じだいまつりといって、むかしのいしょうをつけてぎょうれつをします。

    There is. I am sure it is on the 22nd of October. They call it “JIDAI Festival” and they have ancient costumes on for the parade.

  3. 21

    ほかにみるところがありますか。

    Are there any other places to see?

  4. 22

    ありますとも。ひえいざんにいって、そこからびわこがわのさかもとにおり、でんしゃでおおつにいきます。

    Of course there are. You go to Mt. Hiei and from there you descend to Sakamoto on Lake Biwa and go to Ootsu by electric train.

  5. 23

    でんしゃでいけますか。

    Can you go by an electric car?

  6. 24

    はい、ひえいざんにのぼるときとおりるときにはケーブルカーがあります。きょうとがわからびわこがわのさかもとにおり、そこからでんしゃでおおつにいきます。

    Yes. There is a cable car when you climb and descend Mt. Hiei. You descend from the Kyoto side to Sakamoto on the Lake Biwa side and from there you go to Ootsu by an electric car.

ます。
trout
たしか
I am sure, certainly
時代
era, period
いしょう
costume; wardrobe; dress; clothes
そこ
there
側
side
阪本
P.N. on Lake Biwa
電車
streetcar, electric train
大津
City of Otsu
のぼる
go upstream, climb, ascend (vi)
降りる
to get off

Lake Biwa views and boats · Dialogue 5 of 6

A temple above Lake Biwa

*比叡山の ちょう上には、有名な えんりゃく寺が あります* places Enryakuji Temple on the summit of Mount Hiei.

*ENRYAKUJI* stands among Japanese cypress trees. *DENGYOO DAISHI* founded it in 788 by order of Emperor Kammu.

The speaker also describes the view of Lake Biwa from the summit as magnificent.

Back by boat

The speakers compare routes from Ootsu to Kyoto. Trains, electric cars, and boats can make the journey.

*大津の みい寺の 下から 舟に 乗って 琵琶湖 そすいを 通って帰る 事が 出来ます* means "The boat leaves beneath Mii Temple and travels through Lake Biwa canal to Kyoto."

  1. 25

    そこのけしきはいいですか。

    Is the scenery there nice?

  2. 26

    いいですね。ひえいざんのちょうじょうには、ゆうめいなえんりゃくじがあります。そしてちょうじょうからのびわこのながめもすばらしいです。

    It surely is good. There is the famous Enryakuji temple on the summit of Mt. Hiei. The view of Lake Biwa from the summit is magnificent, too.

  3. 27

    おおつからはなんできょうとにかえりますか。

    How do you return to Kyoto from Ootsu?

  4. 28

    れっしゃ、でんしゃはもちろん、ふねでもかえることができます。

    Needless to say on the train and the electric car, but you can also return by boat.

  5. 29

    ふねで？

    By boat?

  6. 30

    そうです。おおつのみいでらのしたからふねにのってびわこそすいをとおってかえることができます。なつにはよいです。

    That’s right. You can return by getting on a boat beneath the Mii Temple in Ootsu and return by going through the canal of Lake Biwa. It is good in the summer.

いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
ちょう上
summit
ながめ
view (n)
すばらしい
splendid, great, grand
帰り
return trip (See notes)
もちろん、
of course, to be sure
すい
essence; quintessence; elite
夏
summer

Travelling from Kyoto to Osaka · Dialogue 6 of 6

The route to Osaka

One speaker asks for the best way from Kyoto to Osaka. *電車が 一番 いいです* gives the electric train as the answer.

The route stops at Fushimi and Uji. The speaker recommends the Mausoleum of Emperor Meiji and Byodoin Temple.

The speakers connect the many sights with the lack of war damage during the Second World War.

Kanji: 寄

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

  1. 31

    きょうとからおおさかへはなんでいくのがいちばんいいですか。

    What is the best means to go from Kyoto to Osaka?

  2. 32

    でんしゃがいちばんいいです。とちゅう、ふしみとうじによってめいじてんのうりょうやびょうどういんをぜひたずねることです。

    The electric car is the best. You stop over midway at FUSHIMI and UJI. You should by all means visit the mausoleum of Emperor Meiji and Byoodooin.

  3. 33

    そうしましょう。とにかくみるものはおおいですね。

    I shall do that. At any rate, there are many things to see, isn’t that right?

  4. 34

    ええ、だいにじせかいたいせんのときにせんさいをこうむりませんでしたからね。

    Yes, because they didn’t receive war damages during the Second World War, you see.

へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
天皇
emperor
りょう
Imperial Mausoleum
ぜひ
by all means
たずねる
to ask
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
とにかく
at any rate; any how
ええ、
Yes

Reporting what you heard · Perception drill

The action identifies the source

*私の 見た ところによると、とても 元気そう でしたよ* means "According to what I saw, he appeared very healthy."

A plain past or non-past verb before *ところによると* gives the source action. The phrase means "according to what someone did."

The report follows the source

*新聞で 読んだ ところによると、二三日の間は 降らない そうです* means "According to what I read in the newspaper, it will not rain for two or three days."

A report introduced by *ところによると* often ends in *とか* or an expression with a similar meaning.

  1. 35

    きくところによると、べいこくでもこのごろはにほんふうのにわがこのまれているとか。

    According to what I hear, I understand that the Japanese style gardens are pre­ferred these days even in America.

  2. 36

    たむらさんのびょうきはどうでしたか。

    How was Mr. Tamura’s illness?

  3. 37

    わたくしのみたところによると、とてもげんきそうでしたよ。

    According to what I saw, he appeared very healthy.

  4. 38

    ゆうじんからきいたところによると、スミスさんのいもうとさんはちかいうちけっこんなさるとか。

    According to what I heard from my friend, I understand that Mr. Smith’s younger sister is going to get married in the near future.

  5. 39

    そうですか。もうけっこんするようなとしになったのかな。はやいもんですね。

    Is that right? I wonder if she became of age already to get married. Time surely flies.

  6. 40

    こんばんごろあめがふるのではないでしょうか。

    Don’t you suppose it is going to rain around tonight?

  7. 41

    しんぶんでよんだところによると、にさんにちのあいだはふらないそうです。

    According to what I have read in the newspaper, I understand it is not going to rain for two or three days.

  8. 42

    やまださんのいわれるところによると、いまさかながよくつれるそうですよ。

    According to what Mr. Yamada says, I understand they are catching a lot of fish.

  9. 43

    そうか。じゃ、さっそくこんしゅうまつごろつりにいこう。

    Is that right? I shall go fishing right away around this weekend, perhaps.

  10. 44

    ジョンズさんはにほんごがはなせるようになるみこみがありますか。

    Does Mr. Jones have any hope of becoming able to speak Japanese?

  11. 45

    わたくしのみたところによると、そんなみこみはぜんぜんありませんね。

    According to what I saw, he has no such hope whatsoever.

と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
とても
very, indeed
友人
friend
妹
younger sister
近い
near, close
うち
home, house
なさる
to do (honorific verb) (See Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
雨
rain
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
間
between
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
釣れる
can be fished
さっそく
right away, immediately
今週
this week
話せる
to be able to speak

Reporting information by source · Pattern 1 1 of 3

What the speaker saw

*私が 見た ところによると、それは 少し 違っています* means "From what I saw, it is a little different."

The *ところによると* phrase follows *見た*, "saw."

Other source actions

*ラジオで 聞いた ところによると、南アメリカに 大きな じしんが あったそうです* reports an earthquake according to information heard on the radio.

Other lines put *習った*, *読んだ*, and *言う* in the same position. The verb identifies how the speaker obtained the information.

  1. 46

    わたくしがみたところによると、それはすこしちがっています。

    From what I saw, it is a little different.

  2. 47

    がっこうでならったところによると、このかんじはもうつかわないそうです。

    According to what I learned at school, this kanji is no longer used.

  3. 48

    しんぶんでよんだところによると、あしたごろあめがふるそうです。

    According to what I read in the newspaper, it is supposed to rain around tomorrow.

  4. 49

    ラジオできいたところによると、みなみアメリカにおおきなじしんがあったそうです。

    According to what I heard on the radio, there was a large earthquake in South America.

  5. 50

    ぼくのみたところによると、あのせいとはそつぎょうのみこみはなさそうだ。

    From what I saw, that student does not seem likely to graduate.

  6. 51

    きくところによると、とうきょうはもうさくらがまんかい（fullbloom）だそうだ。

    From what I hear, the cherry blossoms are already in full bloom in Tokyo.

  7. 52

    ぼくのゆうじんのいうところによると、にほんいきはだめになったそうだ。

    According to what my friend says, the trip to Japan has fallen through.

  8. 53

    やまもとさんからうけたまわったところによると、ことしはさくらがさくのがおそいそうです。

    According to what I heard from Mr. Yamamoto, the cherry blossoms are late in blooming this year.

少し
little (quantity)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
明日
tomorrow
ラジオ
radio
南
south
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
僕
I (see notes)
さくら
cherry (flower)
まんかい
full bloom
だめ
no good, useless, hopeless
今年
this year
さく
to bloom (v.i.)
おそい
be late

Discussing reports and observations · Pattern 1 2 of 3

An observation and its conclusion

*僕の 見た ところによると、よく なる 見こみは なさそうだね* gives a conclusion according to what the speaker saw.

The source phrase comes before the conclusion. Here *なさそうだね* presents the speaker's assessment that recovery does not seem likely.

Information read in a newspaper

*新聞で 読んだ ところによると、今年は 日本からの 観光客も ずい分 多い そうだ* attributes the report to a newspaper.

The final *そうだ* marks the conclusion as reported information.

  1. 54

    びょうにんのじょうたいはどうかね。

    How is the patient's condition?

  2. 55

    わるいね。ぼくのみたところによると、よくなるみこみはなさそうだね。

    It is bad. From what I saw, there does not seem to be any hope of recovery.

  3. 56

    べいこくへのかんこうきゃくはまいとしふえていくそうだね。

    I hear the number of tourists going to the United States increases every year.

  4. 57

    ええ、しんぶんでよんだところによると、ことしはにほんからのかんこうきゃくもずいぶんおおいそうだ。

    Yes, according to what I read in the newspaper, there are also quite a lot of tourists from Japan this year.

  5. 58

    さくばんのしんぶんでみたところによると、みなみアメリカでおおきなじしんがあったそうだね。

    According to what I saw in last night’s newspaper, there was a large earthquake in South America, wasn’t there?

  6. 59

    ええ、しごひゃくにんもしんだそうだ。

    Yes, I hear as many as four or five hundred people died.

  7. 60

    たむらさんからきいたところによるときょうとにはおてらやおみやがなんびゃくもあるそうだね。

    According to what I heard from Mr. Tamura, there are hundreds of temples and shrines in Kyoto, aren’t there?

  8. 61

    ええ、むかしのへいあんきょうのそとがわはてらばかりといってもいいくらいだ。

    Yes, you could almost say that the area outside the old Heian capital was nothing but temples.

病人
sick person, patient
状態
condition; situation
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
毎年
every year (See Grammar Notes)
人
people
ばかり
about
くらい
dark

Matching sources with reports · Pattern 1 3 of 3

A person supplies the information

*スミスさんから 聞いたところによると、米国でも このごろは 日本風の 庭が はやっている そうだね* attributes the report to information heard from Mr. Smith.

The person appears with *から*, and *聞いた* names hearing as the source action.

Actions before the source phrase

The set contrasts *見る*, "to see," with past forms *見た*, "saw," *聞いた*, "heard," *読んだ*, "read," and *言った*, "said."

These plain verb forms can identify the action before *ところによると*.

  1. 62

    スミスさんからきいたところによると、べいこくでもこのごろはにほんふうのにわがはやっているそうだね。

    According to what I heard from Mr. Smith, Japanese-style gardens are popular these days even in the United States, aren’t they?

  2. 63

    うん、はやっているね。

    Yes, they are popular.

  3. 64

    みる

    to see

  4. 65

    みた

    saw

  5. 66

    きいた

    heard

  6. 67

    よんだ

    read

  7. 68

    いった

    said

うん、
Yes, all right.

Kyoto gardens, festivals and scenery · Questions 1 of 2

Kyoto attractions

The questions ask about landscape gardens, dry gardens, scenic places, and festivals in Kyoto.

*竜安寺、大徳寺などの 庭では 山や 川は 何で 表わされていますか* means "What are the mountains and rivers represented by in the gardens of Ryoanji and Daitokuji?"

An answer names the material used there: rocks and sand. Other answers identify a garden, scenic place, or festival and give its relevant feature.

  1. 69

    けしきのよいところにはあらしやまがあり、ふねでほづがわのきゅうりゅうをくだるのもおもしろいそうです。またひえいざんにのぼり、そのちょうじょうからびわこをながめるのもいいそうです。びわこはにほんいちのおおきなみずうみで、けしきもすばらしいものです。とにかく、きょうとはだいにじせかいたいせんでせんさいをこうむらなかったところですから、みるところはたくさんあり、ことにがいこくじんのかんこうきゃくにはりそうてきなところです。

    Among the scenic places is Arashiyama, and going down the rapids of the Hozu River by boat is also said to be interesting. It is also said to be nice to climb Mount Hiei and look out over Lake Biwa from its summit. Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, and its scenery is also splendid. In any case, since Kyoto did not suffer war damage in the Second World War, there are many places to see, and it is an ideal place especially for foreign tourists.

  2. 70

    きょうとでゆうめいなにわにはどんなのがありますか。

    What kinds of famous gardens are there in Kyoto?

  3. 71

    かつらりきゅうのていえんはさんすいのにわともいえますか。

    Can the garden of the Katsura Detached Palace also be called a landscape garden?

  4. 72

    りょうあんじ、だいとくじなどのにわにはみずがありますか。

    Is there water in the gardens of Ryoanji, Daitokuji, and other temples?

  5. 73

    りょうあんじ、だいとくじなどのにわではやまやかわはなんであらわされていますか。

    What are the mountains and rivers represented by in the gardens of Ryoanji, Daitokuji, and other temples?

  6. 74

    きょうとでゆうめいなまつりにはどんなのがありますか。

    What kinds of famous festivals are there in Kyoto?

嵐山
P.N. in Kyoto
ながめる
view, see (vt)
とにかく、
at any rate; any how
どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Festivals, Lake Biwa and wartime survival · Questions 2 of 2

Festivals and scenery

The questions ask what the Gion and Jidai festivals are, where scenic places are, and what kind of lake Lake Biwa is.

*時代祭と 言うのは どんな 祭ですか* means "What kind of festival is the Festival of the Ages?" An answer describes its historical procession.

The final question asks why Kyoto has many sights. Its answer states that Kyoto did not suffer war damage during the Second World War.

  1. 75

    ぎおんまつりというのはどんなまつりですか。

    What kind of festival is the Gion Festival?

  2. 76

    じだいまつりというのはどんなまつりですか。

    What kind of festival is the Festival of the Ages?

  3. 77

    けしきのよいところはどこですか。

    Where are the scenic places?

  4. 78

    びわこはどんなみずうみですか。

    What kind of lake is Lake Biwa?

  5. 79

    なぜきょうとにはみるところがおおいのですか。

    Why are there so many places to see in Kyoto?

なぜ
why?

Gardens and landscape design · Word list 1 of 4

Gardens and their settings

This set covers gardens, landscape design, and Kyoto sites.

*庭* means "garden" or "yard." *かつらり宮* is Katsura Imperial Villa, and *竜安寺* is RYOOANJI Temple.

  1. 80

    にわ

    garden; yard

  2. 81

    このむ

    like; prefer (v.t.)

  3. 82

    はやる

    be in vogue; be popular (v.i.)

  4. 83

    ふう

    manner; way; appear-ance; kind; sort

  5. 84

    せいなん

    southwest

  6. 85

    かつらりきゅう

    Katsura Imperial Villa

  7. 86

    だいごじ

    Daigoji Temple

  8. 87

    さんぼういん

    Sambooin Temple

  9. 88

    しゅうがくいん

    SHUUGAKUIN Temple

  10. 89

    さんすい

    landscape; copying water and mountains; landscape painting

  11. 90

    りょうあんじ

    RYOOANJI Temple

  12. 91

    だいとくじ

    Daitokuji Temple

このむ
like; prefer (v.t.)
はやる
be in vogue; be popular (v.i.)
かつらり宮
Katsura Imperial Villa
醍醐寺
Daigoji Temple
三宝院
Sambooin Temple
修学院
SHUUGAKUIN Temple
竜安寺
RYOOANJI Temple
大徳寺
Daitokuji Temple

Rivers, rapids and entertainment districts · Word list 2 of 4

From raked sand to Gion

This set covers dry-garden actions, river travel, and Gion.

*砂を かいて* means "by raking the sand." *くだる* means "go downstream," and *祇園祭* names the Gion parade.

  1. 92

    すなをかいて

    by raking the sand

  2. 93

    かく

    rake; scratch; comb (v.t.)

  3. 94

    みせる

    make it look like (v.t.)

  4. 95

    あらしやま

    P.N. in Kyoto

  5. 96

    ほづがわ

    Hozu River

  6. 97

    きゅうりゅう

    rapid; swift current

  7. 98

    くだる

    go downstream (v.i.)

  8. 99

    ぎおん

    a district in Kyoto

  9. 100

    かんらくがい

    gay district; plea-sure quarter

  10. 101

    おどり

    dance; folk dance

  11. 102

    ぎょうれつ

    procession; parade (parade) (v.i.)

  12. 103

    ぎおんまつり

    Gion parade (See Cult Notes)

砂をかいて
by raking the sand
保津川
Hozu River
かんらくがい
gay district; plea-sure quarter
おどり
dance; folk dance
祇園祭
Gion parade (See Cult Notes)

Festival floats and costumes · Word list 3 of 4

Floats and festival places

This set covers festival floats, their parts, and Kyoto sightseeing places.

*ほこ* is a ceremonial spear or similar long object, and *ほこさお* is its pole. *山* names a ceremonial float.

  1. 104

    ほこ

    spear; ceremonial spear or long object resembling it (See Cult Notes)

  2. 105

    ほこさお

    spear pole

  3. 106

    さお

    pole

  4. 107

    さき

    tip; end

  5. 108

    ひっぱる

    pull; drag (v.t.)

  6. 109

    (お)まつり

    festival

  7. 110

    やま

    ceremonial float (See Cult. Notes)

  8. 111

    じだいまつり

    an historical festival (See Cult. Notes)

  9. 112

    いしょう

    costume; wardrobe; dress; clothes

  10. 113

    へいあんじんぐう

    Heian Shrine

  11. 114

    ひえいざん

    Mount Hiei

  12. 115

    びわこ

    Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan

ほこ
spear; ceremonial spear or long object resembling it (See Cult Notes)
ほこさお
spear pole
さお
pole
ひっぱる
pull; drag (v.t.)
(お)祭
festival
時代祭
an historical festival (See Cult. Notes)
平安神宮
Heian Jingu (Shrine) (See Cult. Notes)
比叡山
Mount Hiei
琵琶湖
Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan

Lake travel, temples and landmarks · Word list 4 of 4

Travel and landmarks

This set covers Lake Biwa travel, temples, nearby landmarks, and descriptions.

*そすい* means "drainage" or "canal." *平等院* is Byodoin Temple, and *りそう的な* means "ideal."

  1. 116

    おおつ

    City of Otsu

  2. 117

    がわ

    side

  3. 118

    さかもと

    P.N. on Lake Biwa

  4. 119

    えんりゃくじ

    Enryakuji Temple

  5. 120

    そすい

    drainage; canal

  6. 121

    めいじてんのうりょう

    Mausoleum of Emperor Meiji

  7. 122

    りょう

    Imperial Mausoleum

  8. 123

    びょうどういん

    Byodoin Temple

  9. 124

    だいにじせかいたいせん

    Second World War

  10. 125

    まんかい

    full bloom

  11. 126

    りそうてきな

    ideal

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Topic titles; Talk about the following.

(1) Famous Japanese gardens

(2) Scenic spots

(3) Gion Festival

(4) Jidai Festival

(5) Lake Biwa

2 Visual cues;

a Look at the map on Page 10 and talk about the points of interest.

b Look at the pictures on Page 11 to 20 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 at the end of each pattern.

4 Learn to read and write new Kanji.

5 Read the Explanatory Notes.

6 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.
えんりゃく寺
Enryakuji Temple
そすい
drainage; canal
明治天皇りょう
Mausoleum of Emperor Meiji
平等院
Byodoin Temple
第二次世界大戦
Second World War
りそう的な
ideal

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.