Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 83

Lesson 85

Reading Japan

161 lines

Japan's silk production · Dialogue 1 of 4

Raw silk from Japan

Two people discuss raw silk production and sericulture in Japan. *そうです。せかい中で 日本ぐらい 生糸を 沢山 生産する 国は ないですね* means "That is right. No other country produces as much raw silk as Japan."

They also discuss postwar decline, total production, and where farmers raise silkworms.

A side business on farms

*ほとんど 全国 いたるところで かいます* means "They raise them practically throughout the country."

Farmers raise silkworms as a side business. Few farmers specialize in sericulture.

Kanji: 蚕, 争, 養

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

  1. 1

    きいとはにほんのもっともたいせつなこくさんひんだそうですね。

    I understand that raw silk is the most important domestic product, isn’t that right?

    生糸raw silk
    はtopic
    日本Japan
    の's
    もっともmost
    大切important
    なimportant
    国産domestic product
    品domestic product
    だis
    そうI understand
    ですI understand
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    そうです。せかいじゅうでにほんぐらいきいとをたくさんせいさんするくにはないですね。

    That’s right. There is no other country in the world that produces as much raw silk as japan.

  3. 3

    だいにせかいせんそうのあと、にほんのようさんぎょうはおとろえたとききましたが。

    I heard that sericulture in Japan declined after the Second World War, but ---

  4. 4

    そうです。でもせかいのそうさんがくのよんじゅうパーセントぐらいはにほんからでているとおもいます。

    That’s right, but I think about 40 per cent of the total production of the world comes out of japan.

  5. 5

    かいこはどのちほうでかいますか。

    In what region do they raise silkworms?

  6. 6

    ほとんどぜんこくいたるところでかいます。のうかがふくぎょうとしてかうので、ようさんをせんもんにやっているのうかはすくないようです。

    They raise them practically throughout the country. Farmers raise them as a side business. It seems there are few farmers who specialize in sericulture.

---TATE
Following the second base (MASU-form base) of verbs, the suffix TATE expresses the meaning of ”fresh from”, ”just from”, ”hot from”, ”immediately after”, etc. When the expression ”---TATE” modifies a noun, the particle NO follows it.

Examples:

INAKA KARA KITATE NO JOCHUU.

”a maid fresh from the country.”

DAIGAKU DETATE NO SEINEN.

”a young man fresh out from college.”

TORITATE NO SAKANA.

”fish fresh from the sea” or ”fresh-caught fish”

DEKITATE NO IE.

” a newly built house”

YAKITATE NO PAN.

”bread freshly baked” or ”fresh-baked bread”

ANO SEITO WA GAKKOO E KITATE KARA BENKYOO SHITE IMASU.

”That student has been studying immediately after coming to school.”

KAIKO WA KAERITATE KARA, TABEMONO O SAGASHIMASU.

”Immediately after being hatched, silkworms seek food.”
---KAERU
Following the second base (MASU-form base) of verbs, KAERU gives the meaning of ”change.”

Examples:

YOOFUKU O KIKAERU ”to change suits”

KUTSU O HAKIKAERU ”to change shoes”

KAKIKAERU ”to rewrite”

MONO O TORIKAERU ”to exchange things”

GARASU O IREKAERU ”to replace the glass”

IIKAERU ”to restate”, ”to say over”

YOMIKAERU ”to reread”, ”to read over”
Notes on ---YUKI
YUKI is a suffix showing destination. It is tacked on to a place noun and expresses an idea of ”bound for such-and-such a place.”

Examples:

AMERIKA-YUKI NO KISEN ”a steamer bound for America”

TOKYO-YUKI NO KIPPU ” a ticket (bound) for Tokyo”

SUGAMO-YUKI NO DENSHA ” a streetcar (bound) for Sugamo”

WATAKUSHI WA NIHON-YUKI DESU. ”I am going to Japan”.
”I am bound for Japan.”
生糸
raw silk
は
leaves
の
See Grammar Notes
もっとも
extremely, the most
な
I wish, I hope, huh
国産
domestically produced; domestic product
品
quality, goods
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
せかい
world
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ぐらい
about
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
生産
production
国
country, nation
二
two
養蚕
sericulture
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
が。
but (See Gram. Notes)
四十
40
パーセント
percent
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
蚕
silkworm
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
地方
country, region
かい
counter meaning ”time” (frequency)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
ふく
to blow (v.i.)
し
city
かう
raise, rear, breed (v.t.)
せんもん
specialty
に
on (See Gram. Notes)

Silkworm growth and cocoons · Dialogue 2 of 4

From a small ant to a cocoon

The speakers describe silkworms in Nagano and other mountain regions. They discuss their size after hatching and the number of days before cocoon production.

*たまごから かえりたての 時は 小さい ありぐらいの 大きさで 黒い 虫です* describes the silkworm immediately after hatching. It is black and about the size of a small ant.

Immediately after hatching

In *かえりたての 時*, the suffix *たて* presents the silkworm immediately after it hatched.

The speakers then compare that first size with its growth to about seven centimeters.

Kanji: 虫

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

Kanji: 類, 種

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

  1. 7

    ながのけんでは、かいこをたくさんかっているそうですね。

    I understand they raise a lot of silkworms in the prefecture of Nagano.

  2. 8

    そうです。かんとう、ちゅうぶおよびとうほくちほうのさんちではようさんはさかんです。

    That’s right. Sericulture flourishes in the mountain regions of the Kantoo area, Chuubu area, and also the Toohoku area.

  3. 9

    わたくしはまだかいこをみたことがないのですが、いったいどんなむしですか。

    I have never seen a silkworm, but what kind of a worm is it anyway?

  4. 10

    たまごからかえりたてのときはちいさいありぐらいのおおきさでくろいむしです。それがわずかのにっすうでななセンチぐらいのおおきさになります。

    It is a black worm about the size of a smaii ant just after it is hatched out of the egg, and it becomes about seven centimeters in size in several days.

  5. 11

    たまごからかえってから、なんにちぐらいでまゆをつくりますか。

    in about how many days after it is hatched out of the egg, does it make a cocoon?

  6. 12

    そうですねえ。にじゅうに、さんにちからにじゅうご、ろくにちです。かいこのしゅるいによってちがいます。

    Well, it is anywhere from twenty-two or three days to twenty-five or six days. It differs depending on the variety of silkworms.

県
prefecture (See Cultural Notes)
は、
leaves
関東、
Tokyo-Yokohama area (See Cult Notes)
および
and also
東北
northeastern Honshu (See Cult Notes)
山地
mountain area
まだ
yet, still
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
虫
worm; insect
時
time
わずか
a small amount; trifling
日数
number of days
七
seven
センチ
centimeter
まゆ
cocoon
ねえ。
dear, look; say, listen
二十
20
二、
two
三
three
五、
five
六
six
種類
kind, sort

Feeding and moulting silkworms · Dialogue 3 of 4

Feeding and moulting

The speakers discuss mulberry leaves, four periods of sleep, and feeding frequency. *そして ねむるたびごとに かわを ぬぎかえるのです* means "And every time it sleeps, it sheds its skin."

Changing the skin

In *かわを ぬぎかえる*, *かえる* adds the meaning of changing to the act of taking off. The compound describes shedding the skin.

The conversation then turns to a raw-silk shortage and higher prices.

Kanji: 絹

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

Kanji: 足

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

  1. 13

    かいこはたまごからかえってから、まゆをつくるまで、くわのはをたべつづけるのですか。

    From the time it is hatched out of the egg to the time it makes a cocoon, does the silkworm continue to eat mulberry leaves?

  2. 14

    いいえ、そのあいだにねむることがよんどあります。そしてねむるたびごとにかわをぬぎかえるのです。

    no, during that time it sleeps four times. And every time it sleeps, it sheds its skin.

  3. 15

    くわのははいちにちになんどぐらいくわせますか。

    About how many times a day do you feed it mulberry leaves?

  4. 16

    よんどぐらいです。いぜんにはじゅっかいぐらいくわせていましたが、このごろはいちにちによんどぐらいでいいんです。

    About four times. Before they used to feed it about ten times, but these days about four times would do.

  5. 17

    わたくしはにほんのきぬおりものはやすいとおもっていたんですが、かなりたかいですね。

    I thought that the Japanese silk fabrics are cheap, but they are fairly expensive, aren’t they?

  6. 18

    このごろ、きいとがふそくして、ねだんがたかくなったので、メーカーたちもこまっているようです。

    These days they are short of raw silk and the price went up, so it seems even the makers are suffering from it.

作る
to raise, to make
まで、
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
くわ
mulberry tree
つづける
to continue (v.t.)
ねむる
molt; sleep
四
four
かわ
leather
かえる
to hatch
一日
first day of the month (See Grammar Notes)
十
ten
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
織物
fabric
かなり
fairly
ねだん
price
メーカー
maker, manufacturer

Silk demand and competition · Dialogue 4 of 4

Silk demand and competition

The speakers connect rising silk prices with greater demand in the United States and Japan. They also discuss competition from chemical fabrics and Nishijin brocade.

*日本の 輸出する 絹織物の ほとんど 七十パーセントが 米国行です* means "Practically 70 percent of the silk fabrics exported by Japan goes to the United States."

Bound for a place

*行* is a suffix that shows destination. It attaches to a place noun and means "bound for that place."

*米国行* means "bound for the U.S.A."

Kanji: 因

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

  1. 19

    そうですか。きいとがふそくしているとはしりませんでした。

    Is that right? I didn’t know that they are short of raw silk.

  2. 20

    べいこくのじゅようがおおきくなったことと、こくないじゅようのふえたことがげんいんでしょう。にほんのゆしゅつするきぬおりもののほとんどななじゅうパーセントがべいこくゆきです。

    Probably the fact that the demand by the United States has become great and also the fact that the domestic demand has increased are the cause of it. Practically 70 percent of the silk fabrics exported by Japan goes to the United States.

  3. 21

    でも、きぬおりもののねだんがたかくなりすぎると、ほかのかがくせんいときょうそうできなくなるでしょう。

    However, if the price of silk fabrics becomes too high, it won’t be able to compete with other chemical fabrics, don’t you think?

  4. 22

    そうです。それがメーカーたちのずつうのたねです。

    You are right. That’s a source of constant anxiety of the silk makers.

  5. 23

    きょうとのにしじんおりはいいですね。

    Nishijin brocade of Kyoto is nice, isn’t it?

  6. 24

    いろのあざやかなこととひんのよいことでゆうめいです。

    It is famous for its brilliant color and its good quality.

国内
within a country, domestic
原因
cause
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
七十
70
ずつ
each (See Gram. Notes)
たね
seed
あざやか
brilliant,(capula noun)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Describing things freshly made · Perception drill, Block 1

Fresh out of college

*ええ、大学 を 出たての 若い 女の 先生です* means "Yes, she is a young girl teacher fresh out from college."

The suffix *たて* follows the ます-form base *出*. The particle *の* follows before the noun it modifies.

Fresh from or immediately after

The suffix *たて* follows a verb's ます-form base. It means "fresh from," "newly completed," or "immediately after."

In *もう この 学校へ 来たてから 勉強して います*, *来たてから* marks the time immediately after coming to school.

  1. 25

    かいこはかえりたてからしょくもつをさがします。

    A silkworm seeks food immediately after being hatched.

  2. 26

    おたくのむすこさんのせんせいはずいぶんわかいようですね。

    Your son’s teacher looks very young, doesn’t she?

  3. 27

    ええ、だいがくをでたてのわかいおんなのせんせいです。

    Yes, she is a young girl teacher fresh out from college.

  4. 28

    スミスさんのいえはどれですか。

    Which one is Mr. Smith’s house?

  5. 29

    あのできたてのあかいやねのいえのすぐとなりのにかいやです。

    It is a two-story house right next to that newly built, red roof house.

  6. 30

    じょちゅうをやとったそうですね。

    I understand you hired a maid, isn’t that right?

  7. 31

    ええ、やとったことはやとったのですが、いなかからきたてのおんなで、まだなにもしらないのです。それで、かないがいろいろのことをおしえてやらなければならないのです。

    Yes, I hired her all right, but she is a girl fresh from the country and she doesn’t know anything. So, my wife has to teach her all sorts of things.

  8. 32

    このさかなはさしみにできるかね。

    Can you use this fish for ”SASHIMI?

  9. 33

    ええ、うみからとりたてのさかなですから、さしみにはとてもいいです。

    Yes, it will be very nice for ”SASHIMI” because it is a fish fresh from the sea.

  10. 34

    パーカーさんはよくべんきょうしますね。

    Mr. Parker surely studies hard, doesn’t he?

  11. 35

    ええ、もうこのがっこうへきたてからべんきょうしています。

    Yes, he has been studying from the moment he came to this school.

ずい分
very much
ええ、
Yes
女
female
家
house, home
どれ
which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)
やね
roof
すぐ
right away, immediately
女中
maid
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
田舎
the country, rural area
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
さしみ
thinly sliced raw fish dish
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
海
sea, ocean
とても
very, indeed
よく
well, skillfully
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)

Changing, exchanging and rewriting · Perception drill, Block 2

Changing into different clothes

*ええ、着物に 着かえます* means "Yes, I change into a KIMONO."

The compound joins the ます-form base *着* to *かえます*. It describes changing what someone wears.

Change or do again

After a verb's ます-form base, *かえる* adds the meaning "change." The result can describe changing, exchanging, replacing, or doing the action again.

In *書きかえますから、間違った ところを なおしてください*, *書きかえます* means "I will rewrite it."

  1. 36

    かいこはよんどぐらいかわをぬぎかえます。

    A silkworm sheds it’s skin about four times.

  2. 37

    あなたはうちへかえると、ようふくをきかえますか。

    Do you change your suit when you go home?

  3. 38

    ええ、きものにきかえます。うちではきもののほうがらくですからね。

    Yes, I change into a KIMONO. At home a KIMONO is much more comfortable, you see.

  4. 39

    デパートではかったものをとりかえてくれますか。

    Do they exchange things bought at a department store for me?

  5. 40

    わたくしもよくしりませんが、たぶんとりかえてくれるでしょう。

    I don’t know too well either, but I suppose they’ll exchange them for you.

  6. 41

    あなたはうちへかえるとすぐ、ぞうりにはきかえますか。

    Do you change into slippers as soon as you go home?

  7. 42

    いいえ、わたくしはくつをぬいで、くつしたのままでいます。

    No, I take my shoes off and stay around with just socks on.

  8. 43

    このてがみはまちがいだらけですから、かきかえたほうがいいですよ。

    Since this letter is full of mistakes, you had better rewrite it.

  9. 44

    かきかえますから、まちがったところをなおしてください。

    I’ll rewrite it, so please correct the errors.

  10. 45

    べいこくじんはひだりのてにフォークをもってたべますか。

    Do Americans hold the fork in the left hand and eat?

  11. 46

    にくなどをきるときにはフォークをひだりのてにもっていますが、たべるときにはみぎのてにもちかえます。

    When they cut meat, they hold the fork in the left hand, but when they eat they shift it to the right hand.

うち
home, house
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
すぐ、
right away, immediately
ぞうり
sandal, slipper
くつ
shoes
手紙
letter (correspondence)
だらけ
full of, covered with (See Grammar Notes)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
人
people
フォーク
fork
肉
meat, flesh
など
and so forth, etc.
切る
to cut

Things newly made or begun · Pattern 1 1 of 3

From the moment an action ends

*蚕 は かえりたてから 食べ始めます* means "Silkworms begin eating as soon as they hatch."

The *たて* from *かえりたて* marks the moment immediately after hatching.

A newly completed thing

*これは ぬりたての 戸ですから、気をつけてください* means "This door is newly painted, so please be careful."

The particle *の* follows *ぬりたて* before *戸*.

  1. 47

    かいこはかえりたてからたべはじめます。

    Silkworms begin eating as soon as they hatch.

  2. 48

    わたくしはこのネクタイはかいたてからきらいでした。

    I disliked this necktie from the moment I bought it.

  3. 49

    やきたてのパンはおいしい。

    Freshly baked bread is delicious.

  4. 50

    とりたてのさかなをやいてたべるとおいしいですね。

    Freshly caught fish is delicious when grilled and eaten, isn’t it?

  5. 51

    これはぬりたてのとですから、きをつけてください。

    This door has just been painted, so please be careful.

  6. 52

    あのひとはみたてからへんなひとだとおもいました。

    From the moment I saw him, I thought he was a strange person.

  7. 53

    これはあらいたてのシャツですから、きれいです。

    This shirt has just been washed, so it is clean.

  8. 54

    あのおんなのひとはだいがくをでたてのわかいせんせいです。

    That woman is a young teacher who has just graduated from college.

  9. 55

    あのせいとはこのがっこうへきたてからべんきょうがきらいでした。

    That student disliked studying from the time he first came to this school.

ネクタイ
necktie
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
おいしい。
tasty, delicious
戸
classifier of counting families and/or houses

Recent beginnings and adjustments · Pattern 1 2 of 3

New to the work

*その 会社に はいりたてですから、まだ 仕事になれていないし、ずい分 くろうしているそうです* describes someone new to a company.

His recent start explains why he is not used to the work and is having difficulty.

A newly built house

*ええ、出来たての 家で、とても きれいな 家です* means "Yes, it is a newly built house, and it is very nice."

The *たて* in *出来たての 家* describes a house whose construction was recently completed.

  1. 56

    たなかさんはかいしゃにつとめているそうですね。

    I understand that Mr. Tanaka works for a company, isn’t that right?

  2. 57

    ええ、そのかいしゃにはいりたてですから、まだしごとになれていないし、ずいぶんくろうしているそうです。

    Yes, I hear that since he has just joined the company, he is not yet used to the work and is having a very hard time.

  3. 58

    いいかしやがあったそうですね。

    I understand that there was a nice house for rent, wasn’t there?

  4. 59

    ええ、できたてのいえで、とてもきれいないえです。

    Yes, it is a newly built house, and it is very nice.

  5. 60

    あなたはいまのかいしゃにつとめはじめてから、もうじゅうねんになるでしょう。

    It has already been ten years since you began working for your present company, hasn’t it?

  6. 61

    ええ、はやいものですね。かいしゃにきたてにはずいぶんくろうしましたが、このごろはしごとになれてらくになりました。

    Yes, time passes quickly, doesn’t it? When I first came to the company, I had a very hard time, but lately I have become used to the work and things have become easier.

  7. 62

    あなたがべいこくにきてなんねんぐらいになりますか。

    About how many years has it been since you came to the United States?

  8. 63

    じゅうねんになります。べいこくにきたてにはえいごがわからなくて、ずいぶんこまりました。

    It has been ten years. When I first came to the United States, I did not understand English and had a very hard time.

  9. 64

    できたてのてんぷらはおいしいですね。

    Freshly made tempura is delicious, isn’t it?

会社
company, firm
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
し、
city
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
もの
things (tangible)
ます
trout
おいしい
tasty, delicious

Freshly made food and verbs · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Food while it is hot

*天ぷらは あついうちが おいしいですね* means "Tempura is delicious while it is hot, is it not?"

*つめたくなると だめですね* means "It is no good once it gets cold."

Verbs for fresh results

The lines give *帰る*, "to return," *来る*, "to come," and *出来る*, "to be completed."

They also give *取る*, "to take," *ぬる*, "to paint," and *あらう*, "to wash." The bases of these verbs can precede *たて*.

  1. 65

    ええ、てんぷらはあついうちがおいしいですね。つめたくなるとだめですね。

    Yes, tempura is delicious while it is hot, isn’t it? It is no good once it gets cold.

  2. 66

    かえる

    to return

  3. 67

    くる

    to come

  4. 68

    できる

    to be completed

  5. 69

    とる

    to take

  6. 70

    ぬる

    to paint

  7. 71

    あらう

    to wash

あつい
hot
だめ
no good, useless, hopeless
ぬる
put on, paint with (v.t.)
あらう
to wash

Changing clothes and replacing things · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Several kinds of change

*蚕は ねむるたびごとに かわを ぬぎかえます* means "Every time silkworms sleep, they shed their skins."

The *かえる* in *ぬぎかえます* also appears in compounds for changing clothes, shoes, a watch glass, or the hand holding an object.

They also describe exchanging goods, rewriting a test, and rephrasing words.

Rephrasing the words

*質問がわかりませんから、やさしい 言葉に 言いかえてください* means "I do not understand the question, so please rephrase it in simpler words."

Here *言いかえて* describes saying the content again with different words.

  1. 72

    かいこはねむるたびごとにかわをぬぎかえます。

    Every time silkworms sleep, they shed their skins.

  2. 73

    わたくしはいえへかえるとすぐふくをきかえます。

    As soon as I get home, I change my clothes.

  3. 74

    わたくしはいえへかえるとすぐくつをはきかえます。

    As soon as I get home, I change my shoes.

  4. 75

    とけいのガラスをいれかえました。

    I had the glass in my watch replaced.

  5. 76

    ひだりのてのえんぴつをみぎのてにもちかえなさい。

    Shift the pencil from your left hand to your right hand.

  6. 77

    デパートでかったものはとりかえてくれます。

    They will exchange things bought at the department store.

  7. 78

    このしけんはまちがいだらけですから、かきかえたほうがいいですね。

    This test is full of mistakes, so you had better rewrite it.

  8. 79

    しつもんがわかりませんから、やさしいことばにいいかえてください。

    I do not understand the question, so please rephrase it in simpler words.

服
clothes, suits, uniform
ガラス
glass
やさしい
easy

Changing trains and replacing items · Pattern 2 2 of 3

Changing trains

*この電車で 行くと、青山六丁目で 乗りかえなければ なりませんよ* means "If you take this train, you will have to change trains at Aoyama Sixth District."

The *かえる* in *乗りかえなければ* describes changing from one train to another.

Replacing and transplanting

*新しいのに 買いかえました* describes replacing the old television with a new one.

*植えかえても* describes transplanting a flower. The negative *植えかえない* advises against that change while the flower is blooming.

  1. 80

    このでんしゃはあおやまでのりかえなければなりません。

    You have to change trains at Aoyama on this train.

  2. 81

    このでんしゃはぎんざへいきますか。

    Does this train go to Ginza?

  3. 82

    そうですね。このでんしゃでいくと、あおやまろくちょおめでのりかえなければなりませんよ。

    Let me see. If you take this train, you will have to change trains at Aoyama Sixth District.

  4. 83

    あたらしいテレビをかったそうですね。

    I understand that you bought a new television, didn’t you?

  5. 84

    ええ、まえのはあまりよくなかったので、あたらしいのにかいかえました。

    Yes, the old one was not very good, so I replaced it with a new one.

  6. 85

    このはなはいまうえかえてもいいでしょうか。

    Would it be all right to transplant this flower now?

  7. 86

    はながさいていますから、いまはうえかえないほうがいいです。

    Since the flower is blooming, it would be better not to transplant it now.

  8. 87

    とけいのガラスがこわれたのですが、どこでなおしてくれるでしょうか。

    The glass in my watch is broken; where can I have it repaired?

電車
streetcar, electric train
丁目
choome (See Cultural Notes)
テレビ
television
前
before, front
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)

Exchanging and replacing items · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Replacing one part

*とけい店へ 持って行けば ガラスを 入れかえてくれます* means "If you take it to a watch shop, they will replace the glass for you."

The *かえる* compound describes replacing one part of the watch.

Exchanging an item

*お取りかえいたします* means "I will exchange them for you." It answers a request to replace dirty socks with a clean pair.

The lines also provide verbs for further compounds: *書く*, *着る*, *はく*, *乗る*, and *買う*.

  1. 88

    とけいてんへもっていけばガラスをいれかえてくれます。

    If you take it to a watch shop, they will replace the glass for you.

  2. 89

    このくつしたはすこしよごれていますから、きれいなのにとりかえてくれないか。

    These socks are a little dirty, so could you exchange them for a clean pair?

  3. 90

    はい、かしこまりました。おとりかえいたします。

    Yes, certainly. I will exchange them for you.

  4. 91

    かく

    to write

  5. 92

    きる

    to put on

  6. 93

    はく

    to put on

  7. 94

    のる

    to ride

  8. 95

    かう

    to buy

店
store, shop
くつ下
socks, stocking
少し
little (quantity)
はく
to wear (on feet or legs)
買う
to buy

Silkworm growth and silk shortages · Reading Selection 1 of 4

Growth before the cocoon

The passage follows silkworms from hatching to cocoon production. They grow to about seven centimeters and eat mulberry leaves until they make cocoons.

*蚕は たまごから かえってから まゆを 作るまで、くわの 葉を 食べつづけます* describes that period.

Four changes of skin

*そして ねむる たびごとに かわを ぬぎかえます* means "Each time they sleep, they shed their skins."

The compound *ぬぎかえます* presents shedding as a change of skin. The passage then connects a raw-silk shortage with higher prices.

  1. 96

    くらいのおおきさで、くろいむしです。

    It is a black insect about that size.

  2. 97

    それがわずかのにっすうでななセンチぐらいのおおきさになります。

    In only a few days, it grows to about seven centimeters in length.

  3. 98

    かいこのしゅるいによってちがいますが、たいていたまごからかえってからにじゅうに、さんにちからにじゅうご、ろくにちでまゆをつくります。

    It varies according to the type of silkworm, but most make their cocoons twenty-two or twenty-three to twenty-five or twenty-six days after hatching from their eggs.

  4. 99

    かいこはたまごからかえってからまゆをつくるまで、くわのはをたべつづけますが、そのあいだにねむることがよんどあります。

    Silkworms continue eating mulberry leaves from the time they hatch from their eggs until they make their cocoons, and during that time they sleep four times.

  5. 100

    そしてねむるたびごとにかわをぬぎかえます。

    Each time they sleep, they shed their skins.

  6. 101

    こんにちではきいとがふそくして、ねだんがたかくなったので、メーカーたちもたいへんこまっているようです。

    Nowadays raw silk is in short supply and its price has risen, so the manufacturers also seem to be having a great deal of trouble.

  7. 102

    べいこくのじゅようがおおきくなったこととこくないじゅようがふえたことが、そのおもなげんいんと

    Increased demand in the United States and increased domestic demand are regarded as the main causes.

くらい
dark
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
今日
today

Silk exports and competition · Reading Selection 2 of 4

Silk bound for the United States

*日本の 輸出する 絹織物の ほとんど 七十パーセントが 米国行です* means "Nearly seventy percent of the silk fabric exported by Japan goes to the United States."

The destination suffix *行*, as in *米国行*, identifies where the fabric is bound.

The effect of high prices

If silk prices rise too much, silk fabric cannot compete with synthetic fibers. This becomes a source of worry for manufacturers.

The questions ask about domestic products, production, postwar sericulture, and Japan's share of world production.

  1. 103

    されています。

    That is what is believed.

  2. 104

    にほんのゆしゅつするきぬおりもののほとんどななじゅうパーセントがべいこくゆきです。

    Nearly seventy percent of the silk fabric exported by Japan goes to the United States.

  3. 105

    きぬおりもののねだんがたかくなりすぎるとほかのかがくせんいときょうそうできなくなるので、メーカーたちのずつうのたねになっています。

    If the price of silk fabric rises too much, it will no longer be able to compete with other synthetic fibers, so this is a source of worry for the manufacturers.

  4. 106

    にほんのもっともたいせつなこくさんひんはなんですか。

    What is Japan’s most important domestic product?

  5. 107

    せかいじゅうでにほんぐらいたくさんきいとをせいさんするくにがありますか。

    Is there any country in the world that produces as much raw silk as Japan?

  6. 108

    だいにせかいせんそうのあと、にほんのよおさんぎょうはどうなりましたか。

    What happened to sericulture in Japan after the Second World War?

  7. 109

    せかいのそうさんがくのなんパーセントぐらいにほんからでていますか。

    About what percentage of the world’s total production comes from Japan?

Silkworm farming and development · Reading Selection 3 of 4

From hatching to the cocoon

The questions ask where sericulture flourishes and how silkworms develop. Answers draw on the passage about hatching, growth, cocoon production, feeding, and sleep.

*蚕は たまごから かえりたての 時は どんな 虫ですか* asks what kind of insect a silkworm is immediately after hatching.

The *たて* in *かえりたての 時* places the description immediately after hatching.

  1. 110

    のうかはよおさんをせんもんにやっていますか。

    Do farmers specialize in sericulture?

  2. 111

    よおさんぎょうのもっともさかんなところはどのちほおですか。

    In what regions does sericulture flourish most?

  3. 112

    かいこはたまごからかえりたてのときはどんなむしですか。

    What kind of insect is a silkworm when it has just hatched from its egg?

  4. 113

    かいこはどのくらいのおおきさになりますか。

    How large does a silkworm grow?

  5. 114

    かいこはたまごからかえってからなんにちぐらいでまゆをつくりますか。

    About how many days after hatching from its egg does a silkworm make a cocoon?

  6. 115

    かいこはたまごからかえってまゆをつくるまで、くわのはをたべつづけますか。

    Does a silkworm keep eating mulberry leaves from the time it hatches until it makes a cocoon?

  7. 116

    かいこはねむることがありますか。

    Does a silkworm ever sleep?

かえって
on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)

Silk prices, exports and competition · Reading Selection 4 of 4

Changes and destinations

The questions ask what silkworms do after each sleep and whether raw silk has become scarce and expensive. They also ask where exported silk goes.

*日本の 輸出する 絹織物の 大部分は どこに 行きますか* asks "Where do most of the silk fabrics exported by Japan go?"

An answer uses the destination in the passage. Another answer explains the effect of prices that become too high.

  1. 117

    なんどありますか。

    How many times does it do so?

  2. 118

    ねむるたびごとにどうしますか。

    What does it do each time it sleeps?

  3. 119

    こんにちではきいとがふそくして、ねだんがたかくなりましたか。

    Nowadays, has raw silk become scarce and risen in price?

  4. 120

    にほんのゆしゅつするきぬおりもののだいぶぶんはどこにいきますか。

    Where do most of the silk fabrics exported by Japan go?

  5. 121

    きぬおりもののねだんがたかくなりすぎると、どうなりますか。

    What happens if the price of silk fabrics becomes too high?

Japan's sericulture and silkworms · Questions

Sericulture across Japan

The passage describes raw silk as an important domestic product and gives Japan's share of world production. It presents sericulture as a farm side business practiced across Japan.

It also identifies the mountain regions where sericulture flourishes and compares a newly hatched silkworm with a small ant.

*その原因は 何ですか* means "What is the cause of that?"

An answer states the cause connected to the preceding passage, not a general fact about sericulture.

  1. 122

    きいとはにほんのもっともたいせつなこくさんひんで、せかいじゅうで、にほんぐらいきいとをたくさんせいさんするくにはありません。だいにせかいせんそうのあと、にほんのよおさんぎょうはおとろえましたが、それでもせかいのそうさんがくのよんじゅうパーセントぐらいはにほんからでています。よおさんはたいていのうかがふくぎょうとしてやるので、よおさんをせんもんにやっているのうかはすくないです。にほんではよおさんはほとんどぜんこくいたるところでやっていますが、よおさんぎょうのもっともさかんなところはかんとお、ちゅうぶおよびとおほくちほおのさんちです。かいこはたまごからかえりたてのときはちいさいあり

    Raw silk is Japan’s most important domestic product, and no other country in the world produces as much raw silk as Japan. After the Second World War, sericulture in Japan declined, but even so, about 40 percent of the world’s total production comes from Japan. Sericulture is usually carried on by farmers as a side business, so few farmers specialize in it. In Japan, sericulture is practiced practically throughout the country, but it flourishes most in the mountain regions of the Kanto, Chubu, and Tohoku areas. When a silkworm has just hatched from its egg, it is like a small ant.

  2. 123

    そのげんいんはなんですか。

    What is the cause of that?

やる
to do

Sericulture and production words · Word list 1 of 4

Sericulture and production

These words cover silkworms, domestic production, and sericulture. *蚕* means "silkworm," *国産品* means "domestic goods," and *養蚕* means "sericulture."

Other entries name decline after the World War II, total production, and a side business.

  1. 124

    かいこ

    silkworm

  2. 125

    もっとも

    extremely, the most

  3. 126

    こくさんひん

    domestic goods

  4. 127

    せかいじゅう

    throughout the world; in the whole world

  5. 128

    だいにせかいせんそう

    the World War II

  6. 129

    よおさんぎょう

    sericulture

  7. 130

    おとろえる

    decline, become weak (v.i.)

  8. 131

    そうさんがく

    total production

  9. 132

    ふくぎょう

    side job, side business

  10. 133

    よおさん

    sericulture

国産品
domestic goods
せかい中
throughout the world; in the whole world
第二せかい戦争
the World War II
養蚕業
sericulture
おとろえる
decline, become weak (v.i.)
そうさんがく
total production
ふく業
side job, side business

Hatching, cocoons and mulberries · Word list 2 of 4

From hatching to feeding

These words cover a silkworm's early development and food. *かえる* means "to hatch," *まゆ* means "cocoon," and *くわ* means "mulberry tree."

The *たて* in *かえりたて* adds the sense "immediately after hatching." Other entries name insects, days, kinds, and dependence on a variety.

  1. 134

    および

    and

  2. 135

    さんち

    mountain area

  3. 136

    むし

    worm; insect

  4. 137

    かえりたて

    just after it hatched (See Gram. Notes)

  5. 138

    かえる

    to hatch

  6. 139

    にっすう

    number of days

  7. 140

    まゆ

    cocoon

  8. 141

    しゅるい

    kind, sort

  9. 142

    --によって

    according to, depending on

  10. 143

    くわ

    mulberry tree

かえりたて
just after it hatched (See Gram. Notes)
--によって
according to, depending on

Moulting, shortages and demand · Word list 3 of 4

Moulting and demand

These words cover a silkworm's moulting and silk demand. *ねむる* means "molt" or "sleep," *かわ* means "skin," and *ぬぎかえます* means "shed" or "change."

Other entries cover feeding, frequency, shortage, manufacturers, and demand.

  1. 144

    ねむる

    molt; sleep

  2. 145

    --たびごとに

    every time ---

  3. 146

    かわ

    skin

  4. 147

    ぬぎかえます

    shed, change (See Gram. Notes)

  5. 148

    くわせる

    to feed (v.t.)

  6. 149

    じゅっかい

    ten times (frequency)

  7. 150

    かい

    counter meaning ”time” (frequency)

  8. 151

    ふそく(する)

    insufficiency (be short of (v.i.)

  9. 152

    メーカー

    maker, manufacturer

  10. 153

    じゅよう

    demand (noun)

--たびごとに
every time ---
ぬぎかえます
shed, change (See Gram. Notes)
食わせる
to feed (v.t.)
十かい
ten times (frequency)
不足(する)
insufficiency (be short of (v.i.)
じゅよう
demand (noun)

Destinations, anxiety and competition · Word list 4 of 4

Destinations and competition

These words cover domestic causes, export destinations, worry, brocade, and competition. *米国行* means "bound for the U.S.A.," and *---行* is a suffix showing destination.

*ずつうのたね* means "a source of constant anxiety." *きょうそうする* means "to compete" or "to race."

  1. 154

    こくない

    within a country, domestic

  2. 155

    げんいん

    cause

  3. 156

    べいこくゆき

    bound for the U.S.A.

  4. 157

    ---ゆき

    a suffix showing destination (See Notes)

  5. 158

    ずつう

    headache

  6. 159

    ずつうのたね

    a source of constant anxiety; headache

  7. 160

    にしじんおり

    Nishijin brocade

  8. 161

    きょうそうする

    to compete; to race

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Visual Cxxes

1a Look at the pictures on Page 221 to 227 and talk about them.

2 Topic Titles

2a Talk about sericulture in Japan.

2b Talk about the silk textile industry in Japan.

2c Talk about silk fabric—some of the famous makers.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill.

3 Study Pattern Practice and do the exercise following 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.
米国行
bound for the U.S.A.
---行
a suffix showing destination (See Notes)
ずつう
headache
ずつうのたね
a source of constant anxiety; headache
西陣織
Nishijin brocade
きょうそうする
to compete; to race

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.