Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 44

Lesson 44

Kanji and everyday Japanese

153 lines

Comparing Kabuki and opera · Dialogue 1 of 4

Kabuki and opera

Two speakers compare Kabuki with opera. *ええ、 オペラが 西洋で 人気が あるのと 同じでしょう*, "Yes, it is. It is to Japan what opera is to the West."

They agree only to a degree. *あるてい度まで にていると 言えますね*, "You can say that they resemble each other to a certain extent."

Kanji: 有

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

Kanji: 西, 洋, 名

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

  1. 1

    かぶきはゆうめいですね。

    Kabuki is famous, isn't it?

    かぶきKabuki
    はtopic
    有名famous
    ですis
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    ええ、オペラがせいようでにんきがあるのとおなじでしょう。

    Yes, it is. It is to Japan what opera is to the West.

  3. 3

    かぶきとオペラはにていますか。

    Do Kabuki and opera resemble each other?

  4. 4

    あるていどまでにているといえますね。

    You can say that they resemble each other to a certain extent.

  5. 5

    どうちがいますか。

    How do they differ?

---MAMA

The word MAMA is basically a noun meaning 'in the state,' 'as it is,' 'with,' etc. It describes a condition or a state in which a person or a thing exists. For example, YOGORETA KIMONO O KITA MAMA WATAKUSHI WA MACHI E IKIMASHITA means literally: "I went to town in the condition in which I was wearing dirty clothes." Of course, this is more commonly translated: "I went to town without changing into clean clothes," or "I went to town in dirty clothes." The word MAMA may be used adverbially with or without the particles DE or NI. It may be used as an adjective by adding the particle NO.

Examples:

YOGORETA MAMA NI SHITE OKINASAI. "Leave it dirty."

KUTSU O HAITA MAMA DE IE NI HAIRIMASHITA. "He entered a house with his shoes on."

MUKASHI NO MAMA NO SHUUKAN GA TAKUSAN ARIMASU. "There are many customs that are as they were long ago."
--TE SHIMAU

SHIMAU is a verb meaning 'to finish' or 'to complete.' This verb is often used after the TE-form of a verb as a post-verb, to mean that the action has been finished completely. In this use, it has the force of the perfect tense in English. This TE-SHIMAU also indicates depletion of whatever the object of the verb may be.

SONO HON WA YONDE SHIMAIMASHITA. "I (have) finished reading that book."

"I have already read that book."

WATAKUSHI GA SONO RINGO O TABETE SHIMAIMASHITA. "I ate those apples up."

In the latter expression the idea conveyed is not completion of the act of eating but of depletion of the apples. So it is not "I have finished eating the apples." Whether the meaning is the former or the latter depends on the context.
YOO NI IU

KAU YOO NI ITTE KUDASAI.

KAU YOO NI ITTE OKIMASU.

KAU YOO NI IIMASHOO.

KAU YOO NI IIMASU. (ITTE IMASU)

KAU YOO NI IIMASHITA. (ITTE IMASHITA)

YOO NI IU following the conclusive form of a verb has different meanings. Generally, it is used to make a request. Sometimes, full understanding of this is complicated by the omission of the subject and either the direct or indirect object.

The above examples are fairly clear in their meaning. Example "a" is a request or an indirect command to a third person (he) through a second person (you). That is, "I request you to tell him to do ---" expression. In this expression, of course, the subject is omitted. Examples "b" and "c" are usually the types of expressions used to show requests going from the first person to the third person. That is, "I request him to do --" sentence.

Examples (d) and (e) can be one of the following:

I (or you) request him to do

He request me to do

He said he'll do (quote)

In these expressions the subject clarifies the meaning.

In the sentences below, the performer of the action is denoted by the use of the particle NI.

AKIYAMA SAN NI SONO HON O KAU YOO NI ITTE KUDASAI. "Please tell Mr. Akiyama to buy that book."

AKIYAMA SAN NI SONO HON O KAU YOO NI ITTE OKIMASU. "I'll tell Mr. Akiyama to buy that book."

AKIYAMA SAN NI SONO HON O KAU YOO NI IIMASHOO. "I'll tell Mr. Akiyama to buy that book."

WATAKUSHI WA AKIYAMA SAN NI SONO HON O KAU YOO NI IIMASU. "I'll tell Mr. Akiyama to buy that book."

AKIYAMA SAN WA WATAKUSHI NI SONO HON O KAU YOO NI IIMASU. "Mr. Akiyama tells me to buy that book."

In the last three examples the tense may be in the past or the past progressive tense as in example (e). The subject may be omitted as understood.
かぶき
Kabuki
は
leaves
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
オペラ
opera
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
西洋
occident, the West
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
人気
popularity
ある
certain, some
の
See Grammar Notes
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
ます
trout
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)

Actors in Kabuki · Dialogue 2 of 4

Drama without actresses

The speakers turn from opera to Kabuki actors. *かぶきでは 役者は うたいません*, "In Kabuki, actors don't sing."

Women performed in the past, but a ban ended that practice. *とく川時代に 女の かぶき役者を きんじてから、 居なくなりました* says female Kabuki actors disappeared after the ban.

Men in feminine roles

The question *女がたは 男の 役者が えんじるのですか* asks whether male actors perform feminine roles. The answer is *そうです*, "That's right."

Kanji: 役

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

Kanji: 川

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

  1. 6

    オペラはうた、かぶきはしばいといえるでしょう。かぶきではやくしゃはうたいません。

    The emphasis in opera is on music; in Kabuki, it is on drama. In Kabuki, actors don't sing.

  2. 7

    かぶきやくしゃにはおんなはいないのですか。

    Are there actresses among Kabuki players?

  3. 8

    ええ、いませんね。むかしはいたのですが、とくがわじだいにおんなのかぶきやくしゃをきんじてから、いなくなりました。

    No, there are not. Ever since women were banned from playing in Kabuki dramas during the Tokugawa era, they disappeared.

  4. 9

    では、このごろでは、おんながたはおとこのやくしゃがえんじるのですか。

    Then, are feminine roles played by male actors these days?

  5. 10

    そうです。それはそうと、いまいいかぶきがきていますが、みにいきませんか。

    That's right. By the way, there is a good Kabuki here now. Wouldn't you like to go?

うた、
song
しばい
play, drama
言える
can be said
役者
actor, player
女
female
むかし
ancient, old
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
川
river
時代
era, period
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
男
male
えんじる
to perform, play
そう
numerical counter for ships
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Planning an evening performance · Dialogue 3 of 4

The evening performance

*それでは、 六日の 夜の 部に しましょう* settles on the evening performance on the sixth.

*始まるのは 何時ですか* asks when it starts. The answer *五時です* gives five o'clock.

Kanji: 丁

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

  1. 11

    それはちょうどいいことですね。わたくしもぜひいちどかぶきをみたいとおもっていたのですから。

    Yes, I was hoping to see a Kabuki once, at least.

  2. 12

    それでは、むいかのよるのぶにしましょう。

    Well then, let's go to the evening performance on the 6th.

  3. 13

    はじまるのはなんじですか。

    What time does it start?

  4. 14

    ごじです。

    At five o'clock.

  5. 15

    すこしはやいですね。

    Isn't that a little early?

ぜひ
by all means
一
one
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
六
six
夜
night, evening
し
city
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
何時
what time
五
five
時
time
少し
little (quantity)

Tickets, dinner and transport · Dialogue 4 of 4

Plans before the performance

The speakers arrange dinner, tickets, and transportation. *先に 買っておく方が いいです*, "It's better to buy ahead of time."

They buy early because good seats sell out quickly. *よい ざせきは 早く 売り切れてしまいますから* means "Because good seats sell out quickly."

A completely finished event

In *売り切れてしまいます*, *しまいます* follows the TE-form. Here it presents the selling out as complete.

Kanji: 堂

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

Kanji: 先

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

  1. 16

    ええ、すこしはやいので、しごとをおわったら、すぐいきましょう。かぶきざのしょくどうのテーブルをよやくしておきますから、そこでなにかたべましょう。

    Yes, it's a little early, so let's go as soon as you finish your work. I'll reserve a table in the Kabuki theater restaurant. Let's eat something there.

  2. 17

    にゅうじょうけんはそのばんかうのですか。

    Are you going to buy admission tickets that evening?

  3. 18

    いいえ、さきにかっておくほうがいいです。よいざせきははやくうりきれてしまいますから。

    No, it's better to buy ahead of time, because good seats sell out quickly.

  4. 19

    それでは、そのひにはわたくしがくるまでむかえにいきますから、かいしゃのほうでまっていてください。

    Well then, I shall go after you in my car on that day. Please be waiting at your firm.

  5. 20

    そうですか。それはどうも。

    Very well, I shall.

で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
すぐ
right away, immediately
食堂
dining hall, dining room
そこ
there
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
けん
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
買う
to buy
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
ざせき
seats
車
vehicle, car
会社
company, firm
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)

Leaving things unchanged · Perception drill, Block 1

A state left unchanged

*その ままにして おきなさい* means "Leave it as it is." *まま* names the state in which a person or thing remains.

*まま* follows the words that name the state. *くつを はいたまま へやに はいります* means "I go into a room with my shoes on."

A state that describes a noun

With *の*, *まま* describes a noun. *むかしの ままの しゅうかん* means "a custom as it was in ancient times."

  1. 21

    このたてものはむかしのままです。

    This building is as it was long ago.

  2. 22

    そのままにしておきなさい。

    Leave it as it is.

  3. 23

    くつをはいたままへやにはいります。

    I go into a room with my shoes on.

  4. 24

    これはむかしのままのしゅうかんです。

    This is a custom as it was in ancient times.

  5. 25

    きょうしつのまどをあけたままいえへかえってはいけません。

    You must not go home leaving the classroom window open.

  6. 26

    さくばんあかりをつけたままやすみました。

    Last night I went to bed with the light on.

  7. 27

    こんばんはそのままきてください。

    Please come tonight just as you are.

  8. 28

    スミスさんはにほんへいったままかえってきません。

    Mr. Smith went to Japan and has not come back.

  9. 29

    そのままはなしてください。

    Please tell it just as it is.

  10. 30

    むかしのままのしゅうかんがたくさんのこっています。

    Many customs remain just as they were in the old days.

たてもの
building
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
くつ
shoes
へや
room
ます。
trout
しゅうかん
custom, habit
家
house, home
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
明り
light

Actions brought to completion · Perception drill, Block 2

An action finished completely

In *私は もう その本を 読んで しまいました*, the speaker has finished reading. After a TE-form, *しまう* presents the action as completely finished.

*かん字を 皆 わすれてしまいました* means "I have forgotten all the kanji." The same form presents the loss as complete.

An object completely consumed

The form can instead present an object as depleted. *スミスさんは 一人で 天ぷらを 食べてしまいました* means "Mr. Smith ate the tempura all by himself."

The context distinguishes a finished action from a depleted object.

  1. 31

    わたくしはもうそのほんをよんでしまいました。

    I have already read that book.

  2. 32

    かんじをみなわすれてしまいました。

    I have forgotten all the kanji.

  3. 33

    きょうのダイアログはもうおぼえてしまいました。

    I've already memorized today's dialog.

  4. 34

    ビールをのんでしまいました。

    I drank the beer.

  5. 35

    かりたおかねをはらってしまいました。

    I paid back the money I borrowed.

  6. 36

    スミスさんはひとりでてんぷらをたべてしまいました。

    Mr. Smith ate the tempura all by himself.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
今日
today
ダイアログ
dialogue
ビール
beer
一人
one person

Telling others what to do · Perception drill, Block 3

Telling a person to act

*田村さんに 入場けんを 買うように 言います* means "I'll tell Mr. Tamura to buy admission tickets." *ように 言います* follows the conclusive form and usually relays a request.

The person who is to act takes *に*. In this line, *田村さんに* marks Mr. Tamura as that person.

Passing the request through someone

*パーカーさんに まどを あけるように 言ってください* means "Please tell Mr. Parker to open the window." The speaker asks someone to pass on the request.

An omitted subject can change who requests the action. The stated subject makes that meaning clear.

  1. 37

    たむらさんににゅうじょうけんをかうようにいいます。

    I'll tell Mr. Tamura to buy admission tickets.

  2. 38

    せんせいはせいとにこくばんのところへいくようにいいます。

    The teacher tells the student to go to the blackboard.

  3. 39

    スミスさんにもっとべんきょうするようにいいます。

    I tell Mr. Smith to study more.

  4. 40

    かないはわたくしにあんまりたべないようにいいます。

    My wife tells me not to eat too much.

  5. 41

    パーカーさんにまどをあけるようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Parker to open the window.

  6. 42

    ジョンズさんににほんごではなすようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Jones to speak in Japanese.

  7. 43

    たなかさんにすこしうんどうするようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Tanaka to get a little exercise.

所
address, place
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)

Describing unchanged states · Pattern 1 1 of 3

A condition that remains

*この 町は むかしの ままです* means "This town is as it was long ago." The *まま* marks an unchanged state.

The state can result from an action. *昨晩 着物を 着たまま 休みました* means "I went to bed last night with my clothes on."

  1. 44

    このまちはむかしのままです。

    This town is as it was long ago.

  2. 45

    そのままたべます。

    I'll eat it as is.

  3. 46

    でんとうをつけたままいえへかえってはいけません。

    You must not go home leaving the light on.

  4. 47

    たなかさんはよごれたままのくつをはいています。

    Mr. Tanaka is wearing dirty shoes (as they had become dirty).

  5. 48

    たなかさんのにわはくさがのびたままです。

    The grass in Mr. Tanaka's yard has been left to grow.

  6. 49

    つかれていたので、さくばんきものをきたままやすみました。

    Because I was tired, I went to bed last night with my clothes on.

  7. 50

    このくつはまだかったままで、いちどもはいていません。

    These shoes are still just as I bought them, and I have never worn them.

  8. 51

    わたくしがにほんですんでいたいえは、まだそのままのこっています。

    The house I lived in in Japan is still there just as it was.

町
town
にわ
garden, yard
まだ
yet, still

Leaving things as they are · Pattern 1 2 of 3

As it is

*このまま 行っても いいでしょうか* asks whether the speaker may go in his current state. *まま* marks the unchanged condition.

*この映画は ほんとうの 出来事を そのまま 映画に したのです* says the movie reproduces the actual event without changing it.

Leaving a condition unchanged

*つけたままに しておいてください* means "Please leave it on." The light stays in the condition produced by *つけた*.

  1. 52

    このきはさんかげつまえにうえたままで、まだいちどもこやしをやっていません。

    This tree was planted three months ago, and I have not fertilized it even once yet.

  2. 53

    このえいがはほんとうのできごとをそのままえいがにしたのです。

    This movie depicts an actual event just as it happened.

  3. 54

    えいがにいきませんか。

    Would you like to go to the movies?

  4. 55

    このままいってもいいでしょうか。

    May I go just as I am?

  5. 56

    ええ、そのままでいいです。

    Yes, you are fine just as you are.

  6. 57

    でんとうをけしましょうか。

    Shall I turn off the light?

  7. 58

    いいえ、つけたままにしておいてください。

    No, please leave it on.

  8. 59

    やまもとさんはいえにいますか。

    Is Mr. Yamamoto at home?

木
tree, wood
三
three
前
before, front
こやし
fertilizer
映画
movie
出来事
event, incident
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Actions continuing without change · Pattern 1 3 of 3

An earlier action still in effect

*今朝 町へ 行ったまま、 まだ 帰ってこないのです* means "He went into town this morning and has not come back yet."

The past verb before *まま* marks the action that produced the continuing state. Here, going to town still results in his absence.

  1. 60

    いいえ、けさまちへいったまま、まだかえってこないのです。

    No, he went into town this morning and has not come back yet.

  2. 61

    そのまちはじゅうねんまえとおなじです。

    That town is the same as it was ten years ago.

  3. 62

    わたくしはよごれたふくをきかえずにえいがをみにいきました。

    I went to see a movie without changing out of my dirty clothes.

  4. 63

    あきやまさんはにじかんまえにまちへいってまだかえりません。

    Mr. Akiyama went into town two hours ago and has not returned yet.

  5. 64

    どうぞたたないでください。

    Please do not stand up.

  6. 65

    たなかさんはまどをしめないでいえへかえりました。

    Mr. Tanaka went home without closing the window.

今朝
this morning
十
ten
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
服
clothes, suits, uniform
二
two
時間
hour, time

Finishing things completely · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Complete events

*入場けんは もう 売り切れて しまいました* means "Admission tickets are all sold out." The TE-form plus *しまいました* presents complete results.

The same form covers actions such as reading and forgetting. *その本を 読んでしまいました* means "I finished reading that book."

Nothing remains

Completion can apply to the object. *お金を 皆 使ってしまいました* means "I spent all the money." Here, the money is exhausted.

  1. 66

    にゅうじょうけんはもううりきれてしまいました。

    Admission tickets are all sold out.

  2. 67

    そのほんをよんでしまいました。

    I finished reading that book.

  3. 68

    そのビールはわたくしがのんでしまいました。

    I drank that beer.

  4. 69

    そのかんじをわすれてしまいました。

    I have forgotten that kanji.

  5. 70

    いえがやけてしまいました。

    The house burned down.

  6. 71

    おかねをみなつかってしまいました。

    I spent all the money.

Things used up or forgotten · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Used or lost completely

*いいえ、 私が 食べてしまいました* means "No, I ate it all." The TE-form plus *しまいました* presents the sukiyaki as completely consumed.

*もう わすれてしまいました* says the Spanish has been forgotten. Here, the loss of the remembered Spanish is complete.

A command to finish

*そんな ひげは そってしまいなさい* commands the listener to shave off the beard. *しまいなさい* presents shaving as an action to complete.

  1. 72

    すきやきがまだのこっていますか。

    Is there any sukiyaki left?

  2. 73

    いいえ、わたくしがたべてしまいました。

    No, I ate it all.

  3. 74

    あなたはスペインごができますか。

    Can you speak Spanish?

  4. 75

    じゅうねんまえにならったのですから、もうわすれてしまいました。

    Since I learned it ten years ago, I have already forgotten it.

  5. 76

    このひげをどうおもいますか。

    What do you think of this beard?

  6. 77

    そんなひげはそってしまいなさい、きたないですよ。

    Shave off a beard like that; it looks dirty.

すきやき
SUKIYAKI
ひげ
beard, whiskers

Relaying requests and instructions · Pattern 3 1 of 2

A request passed on

*スミスさんに ここへ 来るように 言ってください* means "Please tell Mr. Smith to come here." In this line, *ように* introduces the relayed request.

*言ってください* asks another person to relay the request. *言っておきます* states that the speaker will relay it.

Relaying a negative instruction

The verb before *ように* can be negative. *山田さんに あんまり 金を 使わないように 言っておきます* tells Mr. Yamada not to spend too much money.

Kanji: 枚

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

  1. 78

    たむらさんににゅうじょうけんをにまいかうようにいっておきます。

    I'll ask Mr. Tamura to buy two admission tickets.

  2. 79

    スミスさんにここへくるようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Smith to come here.

  3. 80

    はやくこのしごとをすませるようにいってください。

    Please tell him to finish this work quickly.

  4. 81

    ジョンズさんにでんとうをつけるようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Jones to turn on the light.

  5. 82

    かないにはやくかえるようにいっておきます。

    I will tell my wife to come home early.

  6. 83

    やまださんにあんまりかねをつかわないようにいっておきます。

    I will tell Mr. Yamada not to spend too much money.

ここ
here

Passing on specific requests · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A specific time and action

*スミスさんに 明朝 九時頃 来るように 言っておいて ください* means "Please tell Mr. Smith to come around nine tomorrow morning."

In *来るように 言っておいて ください*, *ように* introduces the requested action. The surrounding words specify the person and time.

Passing on what not to do

*山田さんに 明日は おべんとうを 持って 来ないように 言ってください* asks someone to tell Mr. Yamada not to bring a boxed lunch tomorrow.

*そう 言っておきます* confirms that the request will be passed on.

  1. 84

    スミスさんにみょうちょうくじごろくるようにいっておいてください。

    Please tell Mr. Smith to come around nine tomorrow morning.

  2. 85

    はい、かしこまりました。そういっておきます。

    Yes, certainly; I will tell him that.

  3. 86

    ジョンズさんにあしたはかんじのじしょをもってくるようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Jones to bring a kanji dictionary tomorrow.

  4. 87

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  5. 88

    やまださんにあしたはおべんとうをもってこないようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Yamada not to bring a boxed lunch tomorrow.

  6. 89

    はい、そういっておきます。

    Yes, I will tell him that.

九
nine
明日
tomorrow
じ
character, word
べんとう
box lunch

Origins of Kabuki and opera · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Two old theatrical forms

Kabuki began about 370 years ago, and opera began at almost the same time. Both include singing and resemble each other historically.

*どちらも ほとんど むかしのまま 今日まで のこっています* says both have survived almost unchanged. The *まま* marks that unchanged state.

Kabuki becomes an all-male theater

Women first performed Kabuki, but female actors were banned in 1629. *それからは 男の 役者だけに なってしまいました* says that afterward all the actors were men.

The TE-form plus *しまいました* presents that change as complete.

  1. 90

    かぶきはいまからさんびゃくななじゅうねんほどまえにはじまりました。

    Kabuki began about 370 years ago.

  2. 91

    おもしろいことにはヨーロッパでオペラがはじまったのもほとんどおなじときで、かぶきもオペラもどちらもうたをうたうということです。

    Interestingly, opera began in Europe at almost the same time, and both Kabuki and opera feature singing.

  3. 92

    れきしてきにもりょうほうにています。

    Historically, too, the two resemble each other.

  4. 93

    どちらもほとんどむかしのままきょうまでのこっています。

    Both have survived to the present day almost unchanged from the old days.

  5. 94

    かぶきはさいしょはおんなのやくしゃばかりでやっていましたが、せんろっぴゃくにじゅうくねんにおんなのかぶきやくしゃをきんじたので、それからはおとこのやくしゃだけになってしまいました。

    At first, Kabuki was performed only by women, but female Kabuki actors were banned in 1629, so after that all the actors were men.

  6. 95

    そしておとこのやくしゃがおんなにもなってしばいをします。

    And the male actors also play women in the dramas.

から
from (See Gram. Notes)
三百
300
七十
70
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
おもしろい
interesting, to be fun
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
どちら
which of two (See Grammar Notes)
うた
song
うたう
to sing
言う
to say
さいしょ
first
千
1,000
六百
600
二十
20
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)

Bunraku puppets and performers · Reading Selection 2 of 2

An old puppet theater

Bunraku is a puppet theater that began in Osaka about two hundred years ago. *古くから そのまま のこっている* describes it as remaining unchanged since long ago.

The *まま* in this line marks a condition that remains.

Three performers for one puppet

*一つの 人ぎょうを あやつるのに 三人 居ます* says three people operate one puppet because the puppets are large.

The operators are visible. *その 人ぎょうを あやつる 人は ぶたいに 出ています* places them on the stage.

  1. 96

    もうひとつにほんにふるくからそのままのこっているものにぶんらくがあります。

    Another thing that has remained unchanged in Japan since long ago is Bunraku.

  2. 97

    ぶんらくはにんぎょうしばいのひとつで、いまからにひゃくねんほどまえにおおさかではじまりました。

    Bunraku is a kind of puppet theater that began in Osaka about two hundred years ago.

  3. 98

    ぶんらくにつかうにんぎょうはおんなのにんぎょうにはあしがありません。

    Of the puppets used in Bunraku, the female puppets have no legs.

  4. 99

    かなりおおきなにんぎょうをつかいますから、ひとつのにんぎょうをあやつるのにさんにんいます。

    Since the puppets used are fairly large, it takes three people to operate one puppet.

  5. 100

    そのにんぎょうをあやつるひとはぶたいにでています。

    The people who operate the puppets are visible on the stage.

もの
things (tangible)
人
people
二百
200
使う
to use, employ
かなり
fairly
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
あやつる
to handle, manipulate
ぶたい
stage

Comparing Kabuki, opera and Bunraku · Questions

History and features of three theaters

The questions ask when Kabuki and opera began, who performs Kabuki, and how Bunraku puppets work.

*何人で この 人ぎょうを あやつりますか* means "How many people operate this puppet?" An answer gives the number from the reading.

*かぶきは ほとんど むかしのまま のこっていますか* asks whether Kabuki has remained almost unchanged. The answer states whether it has.

  1. 101

    かぶきはいつごろはじまりましたか。

    About when did Kabuki begin?

  2. 102

    オペラはいつごろはじまりましたか。

    About when did opera begin?

  3. 103

    かぶきでもオペラでもうたをうたいますか。

    Do they sing in both Kabuki and opera?

  4. 104

    かぶきはほとんどむかしのままのこっていますか。

    Has Kabuki remained almost unchanged from the old days?

  5. 105

    かぶきにはおんなのやくしゃはいませんでしたか。

    Were there no actresses in Kabuki?

  6. 106

    いまでもかぶきにはおんなのやくしゃはいませんか。

    Are there still no actresses in Kabuki?

  7. 107

    ぶんらくはにんぎょうしばいですか。

    Is Bunraku puppet theater?

  8. 108

    ぶんらくはふるいものですか。

    Is Bunraku old?

  9. 109

    ぶんらくにつかうにんぎょうにはてやあしがありますか。

    Do the puppets used in Bunraku have hands and feet?

  10. 110

    なんにんでこのにんぎょうをあやつりますか。

    How many people operate this puppet?

古い
old, antique
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)

Theatre and performance words · Word list 1 of 4

The people and places of theater

This set names theatrical forms and the places and people involved. *かぶき* is "Kabuki", *オペラ* is "opera", and *役者* is "actor, player".

The set also includes Bunraku terms. *人ぎょうしばい* is "puppet show", and *ぶたい* is "stage".

  1. 111

    かぶきざ

    Kabuki theater

  2. 112

    かぶき

    Kabuki

  3. 113

    しばい

    play, drama

  4. 114

    オペラ

    opera

  5. 115

    せいよう

    occident, the West

  6. 116

    やくしゃ

    actor, player

  7. 117

    しょくどう

    dining hall, dining room

  8. 118

    ぶんらく

    Bunraku puppet show

  9. 119

    にんぎょうしばい

    puppet show

  10. 120

    にんぎょう

    doll

  11. 121

    ぶたい

    stage

かぶきざ
Kabuki theater
ぶんらく
Bunraku puppet show
人ぎょうしばい
puppet show
人ぎょう
doll

Actors, songs and resemblance · Word list 2 of 4

Actors and what they do

This set covers performers, actions, and change. *女がた* is "feminine role, woman's part, female impersonator", and *うた* is "song".

Several verbs describe comparison and prohibition. *にる* means "to resemble", while *きんじる* means "to forbid, prohibit".

  1. 122

    くるま

    car, automobile

  2. 123

    ていど

    degree, extent

  3. 124

    ひま

    leisure time, free

  4. 125

    おんながた

    feminine role, woman's part, female impersonator

  5. 126

    うた

    song

  6. 127

    にる

    to resemble

  7. 128

    いえる

    can be said

  8. 129

    うたう

    to sing

  9. 130

    きんじる

    to forbid, prohibit

  10. 131

    しゅつえんする

    to appear in a play

  11. 132

    かわる

    to change

ていど
degree, extent
ひま
leisure time, free
女がた
feminine role, woman's part, female impersonator
にる
to resemble
きんじる
to forbid, prohibit
しゅつえんする
to appear in a play
かわる
to change

Performance and preparation words · Word list 3 of 4

Performance and preparation

This set covers performance and preparation. *えんじる* means "to perform, play", *売り切れる* means "to be sold out", and *先に* means "beforehand".

*--まま* means "as it is, with". It names an unchanged state.

  1. 133

    えんじる

    to perform, play

  2. 134

    うりきれる

    to be sold out

  3. 135

    むかえる

    to welcome

  4. 136

    あやつる

    to handle, manipulate

  5. 137

    ゆうめいな

    famous

  6. 138

    しだいに

    gradually

  7. 139

    ぜひ

    by all means

  8. 140

    さきに

    beforehand

  9. 141

    あるていどまで

    to a certain extent

  10. 142

    --まま

    as it is, with (See Grammar Notes)

  11. 143

    しかたがない

    can't be helped

売り切れる
to be sold out
むかえる
to welcome
有名な
famous
しだいに
gradually
先に
beforehand
あるていどまで
to a certain extent
--まま
as it is, with (See Grammar Notes)
仕方がない
can't be helped

Theatre actions and expressions · Word list 4 of 4

Completion and relayed requests

The two expressions name complete action and a relayed request. *--てしまう* means "completely, finish", and *--ように言います* means "I'll tell him to do --".

*中村さんに ぶんらくの 入場けんを 二枚 買うように 言っておきます* means "I'll ask Mr. Nakamura to buy two admission tickets to Bunraku."

  1. 144

    --てしまう

    completely, finish (See Grammar Notes)

  2. 145

    --ようにいいます

    I'll tell him to do -- (See Grammar Notes)

  3. 146

    なかむらさんにぶんらくのにゅうじょうけんをにまいかうようにいっておきます。

    I'll ask Mr. Nakamura to buy two admission tickets to Bunraku.

  4. 147

    わたくしはこんばんはひまです。

    I am free tonight.

  5. 148

    じだいがかわりました。

    Time has changed.

  6. 149

    ぶんらくはにんぎょうしばいともいえます。

    You can also say that the Bunraku is a puppet show.

  7. 150

    ぶんらくでつかうにんぎょうはおおきくて、ひとつのにんぎょうをにさんにんのひとがあやつります。

    Dolls that they use in Bunraku are large and two or three people manipulate a doll.

  8. 151

    このごろカラーテレビがしだいにふえています。

    These days, color television sets have gradually increased in number.

  9. 152

    ぶんらくはおおきなぶたいのうえでやります。

    Bunraku is performed on the big stage.

  10. 153

    おんなのやくしゃはかぶきにしゅつえんしません。

    Female actors don't appear in Kabuki.

--てしまう
completely, finish (See Grammar Notes)
--ように言います
I'll tell him to do -- (See Grammar Notes)
中村さんにぶんらくの入場けんを二枚買うように言っておきます。
"I'll ask Mr. Nakamura to buy two admission tickets to Bunraku."
私は今晩はひまです。
"I am free tonight."
時代がかわりました。
"Time has changed."
ぶんらくは人ぎょうしばいとも言えます。
"You can also say that the Bunraku is a puppet show."
ぶんらくで使う人ぎょうは大きくて、一つの人ぎょうを二三人の人があやつります。
"Dolls that they use in Bunraku are large and two or three people manipulate a doll."
この頃カラーテレビがしだいにふえています。
"These days, color television sets have gradually increased in number."
ぶんらくは大きなぶたいの上でやります。
"Bunraku is performed on the big stage."
女の役者はかぶきにしゅつえんしません。
"Female actors don't appear in Kabuki."

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.