Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 125

Lesson 127

Narration and the written language

68 lines

Mountains, snow and cottage industries · Narration 1 of 3

Japan's highest mountains

*日本で 一番 高い 山地の 集まっている ところ* means "the place where Japan's highest mountain ranges are concentrated." Chubu is also the archipelago's widest part.

Mountains over three thousand meters line its center. Steep slopes and fine scenery bring climbers and tourists in summer.

Work during the long winter

The plains along the Sea of Japan have Japan's deepest snow. People there spend long winters buried in snow.

*したがって 長い 冬の 間、労力の 余っている この 地方には、家内工業が おこって* says that surplus winter labor led to cottage industries.

Kutani ware from Kanazawa and pharmaceuticals from Toyama became local specialties.

Kanji: 根, 労, 谷

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

Kanji: 沢, 最

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

  1. 1

    ちゅうぶちほおはにほんでいちばんたかいさんちのあつまっているところで、「にほんのやね」ということができ、にほんれっとおのもっともはばのひろいところである。

    The Chubu region is where Japan's highest mountain ranges are concentrated, so it can be called the "roof of Japan," and it is the widest part of the Japanese archipelago.

    中部Chubu region
    地方Chubu region
    はtopic
    日本Japan
    でin
    一番highest
    高いhigh
    山地mountain ranges
    のof
    集まっare concentrated
    てare concentrated
    いるare concentrated
    ところplace
    で、is
    「日本Japan
    のof
    屋根」roof
    とquote
    言うcall
    事thing
    がsubject
    出来、can
    日本Japanese archipelago
    列島Japanese archipelago
    のof
    最もmost
    幅width
    のof
    広いwide
    ところpart
    でis
    ある。is
  2. 2

    ちゅうぶちほおのちゅうおうぶはさんぜんメートルいじょうのこおざんがならんでいる。

    Mountains over three thousand meters high line the central part of the Chubu region.

  3. 3

    これらのさんちはたんにたかいばかりでなく、やまはけわしく、ふうけいもよいので、なつはとざんしゃやかんこうきゃくでにぎわう。

    These mountain ranges are not only high but also steep and scenic, so in summer they are crowded with climbers and tourists.

  4. 4

    にほんいちのこおざんであり、めいざんであるふじさんもこのちほおにある。

    Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain and a famous mountain, is also in this region.

  5. 5

    にほんかいえんがんにひろがるしょへいやはにほんでいちばんゆきのふかいところで、ゆきにうもれてながいふゆをすごすこのちほおの

    The plains stretching along the coast of the Sea of Japan are the snowiest places in Japan, and this region spends its long winters buried in snow.

  6. 6

    ひとびとのせいかつとゆきはきってもきれないふかいかんけいがある。

    Snow has a deep, indissoluble connection with the lives of the people.

  7. 7

    したがってながいふゆのあいだ、ろおりょくのあまっているこのちほおには、かないこおぎょおがおこって、かなざわのくたにやき、とやまのせいやくなどと、そのせいひんはいずれもとちのめいさんとなっている。

    Consequently, cottage industries arose in this region, where labor is plentiful during the long winter, and their products, such as Kanazawa's Kutani ware and Toyama's pharmaceuticals, have all become local specialties.

1 NAGOYA
Located between Tokyo and Kyoto, Nagoya is often called CHUUKYOO or “central capital” of Japan. It is the third largest city in Japan with the population of over 1.9 million. Nagoya is an important transportation center. It is the converging point of three principal railway lines. In addition to these National Railway Lines, Nagoya is well provided with excellent private railway services such as, Nagoya Railway Company’s Lines, Kinki Nippon Railway Company, and Underground Railways.
Since the 13th century Nagoya has been a great pottery and porcelain manufacturing center. Machinery and rolling-stock industries have recently made rapid progress in the city. Their products include locomotives, electric motors, automobiles, and bicycles. As a textile center, Nagoya is noted especially for its cotton and woolen goods and dyeing industries, it makes 85% of Japan’s woolen goods. Among other specialties of Nagoya are cloisonne, lacquer ware, clocks, toys, lumber and wooden articles, musical instruments and paper products including

fans.
In cloisonne production Nagoya ranks first in Japan, having about 20 manufacturers in and around the city. Nagoya also leads in the breeding of CHIN (Japanese spaniels). Nagoya is so important industrially that the traveler is advised to break his journey at this city to inspect its activities, especially the manufacturing of porcelain and cloisonne.
2 Cormorant Fishing
Gifu is noted for its cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, from May 11 to October 15. Tame cormorants are used to catch the ayu, a trout-like fish which flourishes all over the country and is highly esteemed for its flavor. The fishing takes place nightly except during the full moon, or when the water is too muddy after heavy rains.
Cormorant fishing boats are manned by four men, one of whom steers the boat. The master at the bow looks after 12 birds. His assistant amidships manages 4 birds, and the fourth man attends to the decoy fire, which is kept burning in an iron-grate at the bow. Each cormorant wears

a cord around the base of its neck to prevent it from swallowing any except very small fish. The boats usually go out in a flotilla of five or seven either before the moon rises or after it sets, as on moonlight nights the fish are not attracted by the fires.
A bird generally captures from two to four good-sized ayu everytime it is put into the water, and averages 40 or 50 fish a night under ideal conditions. The cormorants used are caught in winter on the coast of Kushigata in Ibaragi Prefecture or Shinojima, an island in the bay of Owari; they stand about 2 feet high and weigh from 5 to 7 pounds. The first birds captured are used as decoys, it takes about two weeks to tame and train the birds, after which they are allowed to swim in company with trained cormorants to accustom them to the fishing.
3 SHIMIZU
Shimizu exports more green tea than any other city in Japan. In 1950 it shipped 90% of the total green tea exported by Japan. Mandarin oranges, both fresh and canned, are also prominent among the city’s exports.
4 JOOSHIN-ETSU KOGEN National park
It covers an area of 548 square miles stretching over the mountainous region on the borders of Niigata, Gumma, and Nagano Prefectures. Among uplands of tourist interest in the National park are Shiga and Sugadaira Plateaus on the western border, and the Asama Plateau in the southeastern corner. Hot-spring resorts flourish in this national park. Since this national park is quite easy of approach from the capital, it is popular among Tokyo-Yokohama residents for picnicking, camping, mountain climbing, and skiing, as well as enjoying hot-spring baths and observing wild life.
MINAMI ARUPUSU National Park
It covers an area of about 138 square miles stretching over the mountainous region of Nagano, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka. It was created on June 1, 1964.
6 ATAMI and the IZU Peninsula
Atami, situated at the very neck of the Izu Peninsula, is reached from Tokyo within one hour and a half by limited express. Atami is one of the most thriving and popular hot-spring resorts in the country, greatly favored by its superb shoreline scenery and genial climate. The temperature in the summer months does not exceed 87°F, and it does not fall below 40°F in the winter.
The Izu peninsula, noted for its hot springs, —the name was originally YU-IZU (Yu = hot water, Izu = gush out),—lies south of Hakone district, between Sagami Bay on the east and Suruga Bay on the west. Owing to its historic associations, its hot springs and seaside resorts, and its wealth of natural beauty, the Izu Peninsula is a favorite region for visitors all the year round. Its mild climate and its easy accessibility also add to its popularity. The winter temperature of the peninsula especially of its southern portion, is 48°F on an average—10 degrees higher than that of Tokyo. This causes Japanese apricots to come into bloom in this district two months ahead of

those in Tokyo, On the other hand, the heat of the summer is tempered by the sea breezes which blow across the peninsula, and the nights are delightfully cool.

熱海の 海岸
地方
country, region
は
leaves
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
山地
mountain area
の
See Grammar Notes
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
言う
to say
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
列島
an archipelago
ある。
certain, some
三千
3,000
メートル
meter
高山
high mountain
単に
simply
ばかり
about
山
mountain
風景
scenery; view
も
as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
夏
summer
登山
mountain climbing
者
person
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
にぎわう。
flourish; be crowded; be bustling
一
one
名山
noted mountain
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
海
sea, ocean
沿岸
coast; shore
ひろがる
spread
平野
plain; valley
雪
snow
冬
winter
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
人々
people
関係
relationship
間、
between
労力
trouble; effort; labors
工業
manufacturing industry
製薬
medicine manufacture
など
and so forth, etc.
製品
manufactured product
土地
land, lot
名産
noted product

Agriculture, power and manufacturing · Narration 2 of 3

Industry around Nagoya

*日本の 四大工業地帯に数えられている* means "It is counted among Japan's four major industrial zones." This area centers on Nagoya.

Nagoya lies between Tokyo and Kyoto. Three principal railway lines meet there. It has produced pottery and porcelain since the 13th century.

The city makes 85% of Japan's woolen goods and ranks first in cloisonne production.

Tea and oranges from Shizuoka

*静岡の茶、みかんは 有名である* means "Shizuoka's tea and mandarin oranges are famous."

Shimizu exports more green tea than any other Japanese city. In 1950 it shipped 90% of Japan's exported green tea.

Fresh and canned mandarin oranges are also important exports. Abundant hydroelectric power supports industry across Chubu.

Kanji: 精

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

Kanji: 数

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

  1. 8

    このちほおはむかしからこめのさんちとしてしられ、えちごへいやはにほんいちのこめのさんちである。

    This region has long been known as a rice-producing area, and the Echigo Plain is Japan's leading rice-producing area.

  2. 9

    しずおかのちゃ、みかんはゆうめいである。

    Shizuoka's tea and mandarin oranges are famous.

  3. 10

    このちほおはまたにほんでよおさんぎょうと、それにともなうくわのさいばいとせいしぎょうのもっともさかんなところである。

    This region is also the part of Japan where sericulture and the accompanying cultivation of mulberry trees and silk-reeling industry are most active.

  4. 11

    ほおふなすいりょくはつでんをりようしてこおぎょおもさかんにおこなわれている。

    Industry also flourishes through the use of abundant hydroelectric power.

  5. 12

    とくになごやをちゅうしんとするちいきは

    In particular, the area centered on Nagoya

  6. 13

    ちゅうきょうこおぎょおちたいとしてしられ、けいひん、はんしん、きたきゅうしゅうとともににほんのよんだいこおぎょおちたいにかぞえられている。

    is known as the Chukyo Industrial Zone and is counted among Japan's four major industrial zones, along with Keihin, Hanshin, and Northern Kyushu.

  7. 14

    ぼうせきぎょう、きかいこおぎょお、せいみつこおぎょお(とけいせいぞうなど)、せいしぎょう、じどうしゃこおぎょおなどがさかんである。

    The textile, machinery, precision manufacturing (such as watchmaking), paper, and automobile industries are thriving.

から
from (See Gram. Notes)
産地
production center; an area producing; the home
し
city
茶、
tea
みかん
tangerine
養蚕
sericulture
ともなう
go hand in hand with; accompany (v.t.)
な
I wish, I hope, huh
豊富
abundant; rich
発電
generation of electric power
いる。
to need (See Gram. Notes)
名古屋
P. N.
地帯
zone
京浜、
Tokyo-Yokohama (See Cult. Notes)
阪神、
P.N., a railway company and department store
四
four
機械
machine
など)、
and so forth, etc.
車
vehicle, car

Pottery, parks and summer resorts · Narration 3 of 3

Mountain parks and hot springs

*観光地として有名な所は 日本アルプスと呼ばれている 中部山岳国立公園の山々、上信越高原国立公園* names two of Chubu's famous tourist destinations.

Joshin'etsu-Kogen National Park covers 548 square miles across the borders of Niigata, Gumma, and Nagano Prefectures.

Its hot-spring resorts attract visitors. Tokyo and Yokohama residents also visit for camping, mountain climbing, and skiing.

A park across three prefectures

The same list includes Minami Alps National Park among Chubu's mountain destinations.

The park covers about 138 square miles in Nagano, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka. It was created on June 1, 1964.

*避暑地としては 熱海、軽井沢、野尻湖、富士五湖などが 有名である* names Atami, Karuizawa, Lake Nojiri, and the Fuji Five Lakes as famous summer resorts.

Kanji: 暑

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

  1. 15

    またなごやのちかくにあるせとはとおじきのさんちとしてしられ、せとものせいさんがくのななじゅうパーセントぐらいはこのあたりからでる。

    Seto, near Nagoya, is also known as a pottery-producing area, and about seventy percent of the country's Seto ware is produced around here.

  2. 16

    ゆうめいなのりたけのかいしゃも、ここにある。

    The famous Noritake company is also located here.

  3. 17

    かんこうちとしてゆうめいなところはにほんアルプスとよばれているちゅうぶさんがくこくりつこうえんのやまやま、じょうしんえつこうげんこくりつこうえん、みなみアルプスこくりつこうえん、はくさんこくりつこうえん、ふうけいもよく、おんせんにとんだいず

    Places famous as tourist destinations include the mountains of Chubu-Sangaku National Park, known as the Japanese Alps, Joshin'etsu-Kogen National Park, Minami Alps National Park, Hakusan National Park, and scenic Izu, which is rich in hot springs

  4. 18

    ぎふのうかいもおもしろいだろう。

    Gifu's cormorant fishing would also be interesting.

  5. 19

    ひしょちとしてはあたみ、かるいざわ、のじりこ、ふじごこなどがゆうめいである。

    Atami, Karuizawa, Lake Nojiri, and the Fuji Five Lakes are famous as summer resorts.

近く
vicinity
ある
certain, some
陶磁器
ceramic ware; pottery
生産
production
七十
70
パーセント
percent
ぐらい
about
出る。
come out to the phone, go out, come out (vi)
会社
company, firm
も、
as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
ここ
here
所
address, place
山々、
mountains
南アルプス
the Southern Alps (See Cult. Notes)
よく、
well, skillfully
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
伊豆
P. N.
鵜飼
fishing with cormorants
五
five

Mountains, snowfall and cottage industries · Questions 1 of 3

Reasons in the landscape

These questions ask about Chubu's high mountains, deep coastal snow, and winter cottage industries.

*中部地方は なぜ 日本の屋根と呼ばれていますか* means "Why is the Chubu region called the roof of Japan?"

An answer states that Japan's highest mountain ranges are concentrated in Chubu.

  1. 20

    ちゅうぶちほお

    The Chubu region

  2. 21

    はんとおなどである。

    and the peninsula, among other places.

  3. 22

    ちゅうぶちほおはなぜにほんのやねとよばれていますか。

    Why is the Chubu region called the roof of Japan?

  4. 23

    ちゅうぶちほおのちゅうおうぶはどんなところです。

    What is the central part of the Chubu region like?

  5. 24

    ほんしゅうのちゅうおうぶのさんちはどんなですか。

    What are the mountains in central Honshu like?

  6. 25

    にほんいちのこおざんでありめいざんであるやまはなんですか。

    What is the mountain that is Japan's highest and also a famous mountain?

  7. 26

    にほんかいえんがんちほおのふゆのきこうはどんなですか。

    What is the winter climate like in the region along the coast of the Sea of Japan?

  8. 27

    このちほおにはなぜかないこおぎょおがはったつしていますか。

    Why have cottage industries developed in this region?

半島
peninsula
なぜ
why?
い
stomach
ます
trout
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)

Regional products and industries · Questions 2 of 3

Products and industrial regions

These questions ask which products and industries belong to places across Chubu.

*静岡は何で有名ですか* means "What is Shizuoka famous for?" An answer names its tea and mandarin oranges.

Other answers connect Kanazawa with Kutani ware, Toyama with pharmaceuticals, and Nagoya with the Chukyo Industrial Zone.

Mulberry cultivation and silk reeling accompany sericulture in this region.

  1. 28

    かなざわはなんでゆうめいですか。

    What is Kanazawa famous for?

  2. 29

    とやまはなんでゆうめいですか。

    What is Toyama famous for?

  3. 30

    えちごへいやはなんのさんちですか。

    What does the Echigo Plain produce?

  4. 31

    しずおかはなんでゆうめいですか。

    What is Shizuoka famous for?

  5. 32

    このちほおはまたにほんでよおさんぎょうとそれにともなってなにがもっともさかんなところですか。

    Besides sericulture, what related industries are most active in this part of Japan?

  6. 33

    ちゅうきょうこおぎょおちたいはどこにありますか。

    Where is the Chukyo Industrial Zone?

  7. 34

    にほんのよんだいこおぎょおちたいはどこにありますか。

    Where are Japan's four major industrial zones?

  8. 35

    ちゅうきょうこおぎょおちたいではどんなこおぎょおがさかんですか。

    What kinds of industry are thriving in the Chukyo Industrial Zone?

です
to be (See Gram. Notes)

Pottery, attractions and summer resorts · Questions 3 of 3

Cormorant fishing at Gifu

*岐阜は 何で有名ですか* means "What is Gifu famous for?" The answer is cormorant fishing on the Nagara River.

The season runs from May 11 to October 15. Tame cormorants catch a trout-like fish called the ayu.

Each boat has four men. A cord around each bird's neck prevents it from swallowing all but very small fish.

Hot springs on the Izu Peninsula

*伊豆半島は どんな所ですか* means "What kind of place is the Izu Peninsula?" It is noted for hot springs and natural beauty.

Atami is a popular hot-spring resort at the peninsula's neck. A limited express from Tokyo takes one hour and a half.

Izu's winter temperature averages 48°F. Its mild climate and easy access bring visitors throughout the year.

  1. 36

    せとはなんのさんちとしてしられていますか。

    What is Seto known for producing?

  2. 37

    にほんのせともののせいさんがくのなんパーセントぐらいせとからでますか。

    About what percentage of Japan's Seto ware production comes from Seto?

  3. 38

    このちほおでかんこうちとしてゆうめいなところはどこですか。

    What places in this region are famous as tourist destinations?

  4. 39

    いずはんとおはどんなところですか。

    What kind of place is the Izu Peninsula?

  5. 40

    ぎふはなんでゆうめいですか。

    What is Gifu famous for?

  6. 41

    ひしょちとしてゆうめいなところはどこですか。

    What places are famous as summer resorts?

Mountains, plains and crowds · Word list 1 of 3

Landforms and busy places

This group names mountains, plains, things that spread or become buried, and crowded places.

*高山* means "high mountain," while *名山* means "noted mountain." One describes height and the other describes reputation.

*にぎわう* can mean "be crowded" or "be bustling." It describes the summer crowds in Chubu's mountain scenery.

  1. 42

    ちゅうおうぶ

    central portion

  2. 43

    ないがい

    around; —or so; about

  3. 44

    こおざん

    high mountain

  4. 45

    たんに

    simply

  5. 46

    にぎわう

    flourish; be crowded; be bustling

  6. 47

    めいざん

    noted mountain

  7. 48

    ひろがる

    spread

  8. 49

    しょへいや

    various plains

  9. 50

    うもれる

    be buried; be covered

中央部
central portion
内外
around; —or so; about
にぎわう
flourish; be crowded; be bustling
諸平野
various plains
埋れる
be buried; be covered

Local crafts and silk production · Word list 2 of 3

Winter labor and local products

This group connects surplus winter labor with cottage industries and their products.

*労力* means "labor," and *名産* means "noted product." Kutani ware and pharmaceuticals became products associated with their places.

*製糸業* means "silk-reeling industry." It belongs to Chubu's production based on sericulture.

  1. 51

    きってもきれない

    indissoluble; can’t cut connections with

  2. 52

    ろおりょく

    trouble; effort; labors

  3. 53

    あまる

    be left over; be too much

  4. 54

    おこる

    flourish; be prosperous

  5. 55

    くたにやき

    Kutani China

  6. 56

    せいやく

    medicine manufacture

  7. 57

    いずれも

    all; everyone

  8. 58

    めいさん

    noted product

  9. 59

    せいしぎょう

    silk-reeling industry

切っても切れない
indissoluble; can’t cut connections with
余る
be left over; be too much
おこる
get angry (v.t.)
九谷焼
Kutani China
いずれも
all; everyone
製糸業
silk-reeling industry

Industry, pottery and resorts · Word list 3 of 3

Industry and visitor destinations

This group names Chubu's industrial areas and products, then its fishing and summer destinations.

*中京工業地帯* means "Nagoya Industrial Zone," and *陶磁器* means "ceramic ware." One names a region and the other names a product.

*避暑地* means "summer resort." The group also includes manufacturing and cormorant fishing.

  1. 60

    ちゅうきょうこおぎょおちたい

    Nagoya Industrial Zone

  2. 61

    かぞえる

    to count; calculate

  3. 62

    せいぞう(する)

    manufacturing (to manufacture)

  4. 63

    せいみつこおぎょお

    precision machinery industry

  5. 64

    とおじき

    ceramic ware; pottery

  6. 65

    よんだいこうぎょうちたい

    four great industrial areas

  7. 66

    やまやま

    mountains

  8. 67

    うかい

    fishing with cormorants

  9. 68

    ひしょち

    summer resort

Guide for Free Conversation and Exercise

1 Topics;

a Converse with your classmates about the following topics in Japanese.

(1) Chuubu region in general.

(2) Manufacturing industry in this region.

(3) Scenic spots in this region.

(4) Noted products in this region,

(5) Nagoya city.

2 Exercise;

a 次の文章を日本語に訳してください。

(1) In summer, this place will be crowded with mountain climbers and tourists.

(2) There is an indissoluble relation between snow and the livelihood of the people in this region.

(3) Utilizing the abundant hydroelectric power, industry is carried out vigorously,

(4) Echigo plain is the number one rice production center in japan.

(5) izu peninsula not only has a very fine view, but also is abundant in hot springs.
Homework

1 Study the Narration thoroughly and memorize the vocabulary.

2 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.

3 Learn to read and write new Kanji.

4 Read the Cultural Notes.
中京工業地帯
Nagoya Industrial Zone
数える
to count; calculate
製造(する)
manufacturing (to manufacture)
精密工業
precision machinery industry
四大工業地帯
four great industrial areas
山々
mountains
避暑地
summer resort

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.