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Japanese Onomatopoeia

From the Desk of Makoto

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series series From the Desk of Makoto
Japanese is full of words that sound like what they mean. There is one word for rain that starts with a few scattered drops, another for a steady, quiet drizzle, and a third for a downpour you can hear from indoors. There are words for a door slammed shut, a body too tired to move, a sly grin, and a laugh you can't hold in. Native speakers use these sound and feeling words constantly, in ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Japanese is full of words that sound like what they mean. There is one word for rain that starts with a few scattered drops, another for a steady, quiet drizzle, and a third for a downpour you can hear from indoors. There are words for a door slammed shut, a body too tired to move, a sly grin, and a laugh you can't hold in. Native speakers use these sound and feeling words constantly, in
... Read more
Learn Japanese through Haiku - Natsume Soseki

Enjoy Japanese culture while building your vocabulary and grammar

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Enjoy and Fully Understand 25 haiku by 夏目漱石（なつめそうせき）Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916)Everyone knows Natsume Sōseki the novelist — 吾輩は猫である, 坊っちゃん, こころ — the man whose face was on the 1000 yen note. What most people don't know, even many Japanese, is that Sōseki was also a serious haiku poet. He studied under 正岡子規 (Masaoka Shiki), the father of modern haiku, and kept writing poems throughout his life — ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Enjoy and Fully Understand 25 haiku by 夏目漱石（なつめそうせき）Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916)Everyone knows Natsume Sōseki the novelist — 吾輩は猫である, 坊っちゃん, こころ — the man whose face was on the 1000 yen note. What most people don't know, even many Japanese, is that Sōseki was also a serious haiku poet. He studied under 正岡子規 (Masaoka Shiki), the father of modern haiku, and kept writing poems throughout his life —
... Read more
Learn Japanese with Yokai! The Kappa

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series Book 1 - Learn Japanese with Yokai!
Learn Japanese Through the Mysterious World of Yokai Volume 1: The KappaUnlock your Japanese with the help of a cucumber-loving river goblin.Written for upper beginners (around JLPT N4) and up. This edition has been completely revised and expanded.NEW IN THIS EDITIONFurigana over every kanji, so nothing stops you mid-sentence.A rebuilt Kanji in Focus section. Forty-two characters, one per page, ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Learn Japanese Through the Mysterious World of Yokai Volume 1: The KappaUnlock your Japanese with the help of a cucumber-loving river goblin.Written for upper beginners (around JLPT N4) and up. This edition has been completely revised and expanded.NEW IN THIS EDITIONFurigana over every kanji, so nothing stops you mid-sentence.A rebuilt Kanji in Focus section. Forty-two characters, one per page,
... Read more
Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N5

Master the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series Book 1 - Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5
Master the Essential Vocabulary for JLPT N5 — Now Enhanced with Makoto+ Sentence Explorer!Just starting your Japanese journey? This newly updated JLPT N5 Vocabulary Book is your ultimate beginner’s guide to the most important words you’ll need to pass the exam—and build a rock-solid foundation for long-term Japanese fluency.With 1,445 crystal-clear audio recordings, intelligent Anki flashcards, ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Master the Essential Vocabulary for JLPT N5 — Now Enhanced with Makoto+ Sentence Explorer!Just starting your Japanese journey? This newly updated JLPT N5 Vocabulary Book is your ultimate beginner’s guide to the most important words you’ll need to pass the exam—and build a rock-solid foundation for long-term Japanese fluency.With 1,445 crystal-clear audio recordings, intelligent Anki flashcards,
... Read more
Makoto e-Zine #1

Makoto e-Zine

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series Book 1 - Makoto e-Zine
Recommended for beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.PDF & MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker included--download link found on the first page. Listen while reading.The Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks. If you like our readers and lessons, you will love Makoto, the new e-zine filled with articles on kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT ... Read more

Free

Recommended for beginners and lower intermediates of Japanese.PDF & MP3s of the stories read by a native Japanese speaker included--download link found on the first page. Listen while reading.The Fun Japanese Not Found in Textbooks. If you like our readers and lessons, you will love Makoto, the new e-zine filled with articles on kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT
... Read more
Essays on Modern Japan

The Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese History and Stories

by Boutwell Clay, Boutwell Yumi ...

Series Book 4 - Japanese History Reader
Essays on Modern JapanThe Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese History and EssaysNewly rebuilt and expanded 2026 edition — now with full-page kanji lessons, Review & Practice exercises, and free access in the Makoto Japanese Explorer app.Read your way into modern Japan with three true essays written for upper beginner students of Japanese:Reiwa, A New Era: How Japan's era names w... ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Essays on Modern JapanThe Easy Way to Read, Listen, and Learn from Japanese History and EssaysNewly rebuilt and expanded 2026 edition — now with full-page kanji lessons, Review & Practice exercises, and free access in the Makoto Japanese Explorer app.Read your way into modern Japan with three true essays written for upper beginner students of Japanese:Reiwa, A New Era: How Japan's era names w...
... Read more
Makoto 102

Makoto Magazine for Learners of Japanese

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series series Makoto Magazine for Learners of Japanese
Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine — Issue 102 (August 2026)Story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of JapaneseMakoto is a monthly digital magazine for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Each issue blends short stories, language lessons, cultural notes, humor, and native-audio recordings — all designed to make Japanese feel natural, usable, and enjoyable.In ... Read more

$9.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine — Issue 102 (August 2026)Story-driven reading and listening practice for learners of JapaneseMakoto is a monthly digital magazine for beginner to intermediate learners of Japanese. Each issue blends short stories, language lessons, cultural notes, humor, and native-audio recordings — all designed to make Japanese feel natural, usable, and enjoyable.In
... Read more
Frank and the Obaasan

A Japanese Reader for Beginners

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series Book 1 - Frank and the Obaasan
READ Real Japanese Today—with the Help of an Alien!Are you a beginner or upper-beginner student of Japanese? Looking for something fun that’s actually written for adults—but not too hard? Meet Frank: a confused, natto-loving alien and your new Japanese reading buddy. NOW FULLY REVISED AND EXPANDED!We’ve given this book a galactic makeover:✅ Completely re-edited with improved formatting and ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

READ Real Japanese Today—with the Help of an Alien!Are you a beginner or upper-beginner student of Japanese? Looking for something fun that’s actually written for adults—but not too hard? Meet Frank: a confused, natto-loving alien and your new Japanese reading buddy. NOW FULLY REVISED AND EXPANDED!We’ve given this book a galactic makeover:✅ Completely re-edited with improved formatting and
... Read more
Yonde Miyo-! Volume 1

Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series Book 1 - Yonde Miyo
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 1: Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji✅ Just learned hiragana? Start reading real Japanese—right away.We’ve completely rebuilt Yonde Miyo~! Volume 1 from the ground up! Every story, sentence, vocabulary note, and grammar explanation has been revised and expanded. We also added dozens of mini-lessons on key kanji and grammar patterns throughout the book ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Yonde Miyo~! Volume 1: Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji✅ Just learned hiragana? Start reading real Japanese—right away.We’ve completely rebuilt Yonde Miyo~! Volume 1 from the ground up! Every story, sentence, vocabulary note, and grammar explanation has been revised and expanded. We also added dozens of mini-lessons on key kanji and grammar patterns throughout the book
... Read more
Audiobook

Audiobook

Penitent Thief, The

A 19th Century Historical Murder Mystery

by Clay Boutwell ...

Narrated by Clay Boutwell ...

Series series The Agora Mystery Series
Unabridged

58 min

A string of thefts ends in a grisly murder. Certain evidence leads Captain Barnwell to suspect a former thief, Rutherford Nordlinger as the culprit. Carl Brooke becomes personally involved as Nordlinger's guilt is questioned.--In the style of Arthur Conan Doyle, Clay Boutwell brings back the Agora Society and its premiere scholar, Carl Brooke. This is the second novella in the Agora Series, the ... Read more

$7.00 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

A string of thefts ends in a grisly murder. Certain evidence leads Captain Barnwell to suspect a former thief, Rutherford Nordlinger as the culprit. Carl Brooke becomes personally involved as Nordlinger's guilt is questioned.--In the style of Arthur Conan Doyle, Clay Boutwell brings back the Agora Society and its premiere scholar, Carl Brooke. This is the second novella in the Agora Series, the
... Read more
Yonde Miyo-! Volume 4

Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji

by Boutwell Clay, Boutwell Yumi ...

Series Book 4 - Yonde Miyo
Yonde Miyo~! Volume 4: Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji✅ Learn to read real Japanese—without getting overwhelmed.Yonde Miyo~! Volume 4 continues the beloved beginner series with ten all-new stories designed for learners who can read hiragana and want to strengthen their grammar, kanji recognition, and cultural understanding. Every sentence and explanation has been ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Yonde Miyo~! Volume 4: Short and Fun Japanese Stories in Hiragana and Basic Kanji✅ Learn to read real Japanese—without getting overwhelmed.Yonde Miyo~! Volume 4 continues the beloved beginner series with ten all-new stories designed for learners who can read hiragana and want to strengthen their grammar, kanji recognition, and cultural understanding. Every sentence and explanation has been
... Read more
Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 20

Bunbuku Tea-Kettle

by Clay Boutwell, Yumi Boutwell ...

Series Book 20 - Learn Japanese with Stories
Discover one of Japan’s most beloved folktales while building your Japanese reading skills sentence by sentence.Bunbuku Chagama tells the humorous and heartwarming story of a mysterious tea-kettle that cries out when scrubbed, screams when placed over a fire, and eventually reveals itself to be a shape-shifting tanuki trapped halfway through a transformation.After a startled temple priest gives ... Read more

$6.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Discover one of Japan’s most beloved folktales while building your Japanese reading skills sentence by sentence.Bunbuku Chagama tells the humorous and heartwarming story of a mysterious tea-kettle that cries out when scrubbed, screams when placed over a fire, and eventually reveals itself to be a shape-shifting tanuki trapped halfway through a transformation.After a startled temple priest gives
... Read more

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Top Series in United States

Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5

The Agora Mystery Series

Makoto e-Zine

Learn Japanese with Stories

Yonde Miyo

Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4

Japanese Reader Collection

Learn Japanese through Haiku

Japanese Onomatopoeia

Learn Japanese through Haiku - Natsume Soseki

Learn Japanese with Yokai! The Kappa

Japanese Vocabulary for JLPT N5

Makoto e-Zine #1

Essays on Modern Japan

Makoto 102

Frank and the Obaasan

Yonde Miyo-! Volume 1

Penitent Thief, The

Yonde Miyo-! Volume 4

Learn Japanese with Stories Volume 20

eReaders

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Available:

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1 audiobook monthly

+ FREE 30-day trial

Recommended For You

Top Series in United States

Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5

The Agora Mystery Series

Makoto e-Zine

Learn Japanese with Stories

Yonde Miyo

Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4

Japanese Reader Collection

Learn Japanese through Haiku

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