Japanese English

While intensely attentive to its own tradition, Japanese literature has also embraced the outside world, particularly the influence of China. Beyond this, Japan boasts a powerful literary culture, made up of cultivated reading publics, both aristocratic and bourgeois, literary salons, specialized presses, authoritative judges of talent who cultivated and celebrated particular writers and styles, and a canon consisting of classics. This Very Short Introduction traces the rich history of Japanese literature from its beginnings over a millennium ago to the present day.

Short Stories in Japanese for Intermediate Learners has been written especially for students from low-mid intermediate (ACTFL) level of Japanese. Mapped to B1 and approaching B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference, these eight captivating stories are designed to give you a sense of achievement and a feeling of progress when listening, and most importantly, enjoyment!

From the authors of the New York Times best-selling The Heart of Everything That Is and Halsey's Typhoon comes the dramatic untold story of a daredevil bomber pilot and his misfit crew who fly their lone B-17 into the teeth of the Japanese Empire in 1943, engage in the longest dogfight in history, and change the momentum of the war in the Pacific - but not without making the ultimate sacrifice.

Yayoi, a nineteen-year-old woman from a seemingly loving middle-class family, has lately been haunted by the feeling that she has forgotten something important from her childhood. Her premonition grows stronger day by day and, as if led by it, she decides to move in with her mysterious aunt, Yukino.

Born with a congenital muscle disorder, Shaka spends her days in her room in a care home outside Tokyo, relying on an electric wheelchair to get around and a ventilator to breathe. But if Shaka’s physical life is limited, her quick, mischievous mind has no boundaries: She takes e-learning courses on her iPad, publishes explicit fantasies on websites, and anonymously troll-tweets to see if anyone is paying attention (“In another life, I’d like to work as a high-class prostitute”). One day, she tweets into the void an offer of an enormous sum of money for a sperm donor.

「あなた」が、自分に与えられた一日を精一杯たいせつに過ごせば、世界は70億分の1だけよくなる。そうした人が2人、3人と増えていくにつれて、世界は少しずつよくなっていく、その鍵を握るのが、今日

In Special Duty, Richard J. Samuels dissects the fascinating history of the intelligence community in Japan. Looking at the impact of shifts in the strategic environment, technological change, and past failures, he probes the reasons why Japan has endured such a roller-coaster ride when it comes to intelligence gathering and analysis, and concludes that the ups and downs of the past century - combined with growing uncertainties in the regional security environment - have convinced Japanese leaders of the critical importance of striking balance between power and insight.

Belgrieve's return to Turnera has been marked by many brushes with larger-than-life figures, including a legendary adventurer, an elven princess, and a mysterious foundling with mystical powers. In the midst of all of this, Belgrieve is forced to confront unresolved old feelings about his past that have smoldered within him since his adventuring days came to an end so long ago. Meanwhile, after resuming her adventuring life in the big city, Angeline has done her father the dubious service of seeking out prospective brides for him (to no avail).

With her vacation over and separated from her father once again, the S-Rank adventurer Angeline is utterly convinced that Belgrieve must be feeling just as lonely as her. In order to make his home feel a little less empty, she resolves to find him a bride! Meanwhile, Belgrieve's hands are full with his own troubles, as his reputation has gained the attention of an adventurer hoping to test his mettle against a living legend, as well as an old elf claiming to be a holy knight.

After the excitement of the midterms has died down, both Alex and J are looking forward to their vacation. The happiness they find is all too fleeting. Alex is whisked off in the middle of the night, heading for a series of challenges that will push him to his very limits. J accepts his new role as an eager student...until he's forced to contend with a rival from his past. Can the two overcome their mounting obstacles and emerge as heroes of Ascension?

Sakuta had been ready to give up his life, but nothing could have prepared him to keep living like this. Now he must find a way to carry on even when it feels like tomorrow will never come. And even if it does, why should he care when the love of his life is already gone? Of course, he can always count on Shouko to show him the way forward in his darkest hour, just like she did all those years ago. As he gathers the strength and courage Mai gave him, Sakuta readies himself to do whatever it takes to rewrite the past.

Halfway into the school year, Oliver’s and Nanao’s magical prowess has garnered them considerable respect from their classmates. Nevertheless, the question remains: Who is the strongest first-year at Kimberly Magic Academy? So begins a battle royal-style tournament to defeat Oliver and Nanao in combat, and many competitors are eager to throw down the gauntlet. Some, however, will use this opportunity to set their own nasty schemes in motion.

From his deathbed, Hero-King Inglis, the divine knight and master of all he surveys, gazes down on the empire he built with his mighty hand. Having devoted his life to statecraft and his subjects' well-being, his one unfulfilled wish is to live again, for himself this time: a warrior's life he'd devoted himself to before his rise to power. His patron goddess, Alistia, hears his plea and smiles upon him, flinging his soul into the far future.

After rescuing Mit from the malice of the ancient woods, Belgrieve and Angeline set off on their first proper adventure together. Their goal: the long-awaited reunion of Belgrieve and an old comrade. Along the way, they happen to cross paths with an old acquaintance of Kasim's, a guild master. But as fate would have it, a disagreement leads Belgrieve to lock blades with her. Eventually, after so many long years, Belgrieve finally manages to find his former party member Percival. Their reunion, however, isn't entirely a happy one.

In the 1960s, chicken became a common food in Japan.

Kosuke Kindaichi arrives on the remote Gokumon Island bearing tragic news—the son of one of the island’s most important families has died, on a troop transport ship bringing him back home after the Second World War. But Kindaichi has not come merely as a messenger—with his last words, the dying man warned that his three step-sisters’ lives would now be in danger. The scruffy detective is determined to get to the bottom of this mysterious prophesy, and to protect the three women if he can.

Going to Japan and looking to make friends? Don't leave home without the Top 25 Japanese Questions You Need to Know! In this powerful audiobook, you'll master responses to all the basic questions, from "What's your name?" to "Where are you from?" and more. Built into every lesson you'll find opportunities for extensive practice, self-review, and self-evaluation. By the end of the book, you'll not only be answering these questions, but asking them yourself!

Turning sixteen in Wisty Air has been interesting, with the Sugula looming ever higher in the sky, threatening our world's very existence. Still, life goes on as I purify monsters, come up with new alchemy recipes, and enjoy seeing my family when I can. Unfortunately, those ordinary days come to a sudden halt when I'm abducted by Edesa Kura! What awaits me in the country of mechanized soldiers?!

A writer fascinated by the macabre is approached by an acquaintance who is considering purchasing a second-hand house in Tokyo. With its bright and spacious interior, the home seems perfect. But looking closer, the building’s floor plan reveals a mysterious ""dead space” hidden between the walls. Seeking a second opinion, the writer shares the floor plan with an architect friend only to discover more “strange spaces” dotted across the house.

When it comes to parenting, more isn't always better - but it is always more tiring. Over the course of nearly 50 years, Robert and Sarah LeVine have conducted a groundbreaking, worldwide study of how families work. They have consistently found that children can be happy and healthy in a wide variety of conditions, not just the effort-intensive, cautious environment so many American parents drive themselves crazy trying to create. Do Parents Matter? is an eye-opening look at the world of human nurture, one with profound lessons for the way we think about our families.