MAKOTO

Japanese e-zine

Welcome to the first edition of MAKOTO, an e-zine that’s all about the Japanese language and culture.

Each issue will explore bite-sized articles on (hopefully) interesting aspects of Japanese not often found in Japanese textbooks.

Kanji, culture, idioms, proverbs, geography, history, etymology, JLPT tips, Japanese trivia, and much more. Yep. It will be a smorgasbord of fun (unless you don’t like Japanese, in which case, why are you even reading this far?).

Plus, every issue will include a brand new reader with newly recorded MP3s for you to download for no extra charge. (see below)

If you like what you see, click here to subscribe and get ALL Makoto back issues INSTANTLY:
https://www.patreon.com/TheJapanesePage/

Clay & Yumi

P.S. “Makoto” means “truth” or “sincerity” in Japanese. The kanji is 誠 and is also our son’s name!

P.S. “Makoto” means “truth” or “sincerity” in Japanese. The kanji is 誠 and is also our son’s name!

DOWNLOAD THE MP3s OF THE READER FOR THIS ISSUE:
https://www.thejapanesepage.com/makoto-e-zine/

In this Issue:

Table of Contents

MAKOTO

Japanese e-zine

DOWNLOAD THE MP3s OF THE READER FOR THIS ISSUE:

Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns

Prefecture Spotlight

The Origin of Words

Phrase of the Day

Ukiyo-e, the Art of the Floating World

Kanji Spotlight

Grammar Time

Article: I, Me, & Thee: On Japanese Pronouns

Japanese Reader: The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era

The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era Grammatical Notes

The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era in Japanese

The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era English Summary

Kanji in Focus

Laughs, Jokes, Riddles, and Puns

笑点

Shōten

Shōten is a Japanese TV program that has broadcasted every Sunday evening since 1966. The host presents questions or scenarios for the rakugo storytellers to react to. Funny or clever responses are rewarded with a zabuton (large floor cushion) for their efforts. If a member accumulates ten zabuton, he wins that day’s special prize. However, if the member’s reaction is in bad taste or falls flat, one or more zabuton can be taken away. Shōten can be a fun way for learners of Japanese to experience Japanese comedy. However, some topics require a good deal of cultural knowledge.

One of the silliest (and most loved) members is the yellow kimono wearing 林家 木久扇 Hayashiya Kikuō. A long running gag of his involves a pun on the word for roof, 屋根 yane. Whenever possible, he throws in this word and then says や～ね～ ya~ne~ — a show of disgust or unpleasantness. This usually results in a loss of a zabuton but always gains laughs.

BREAKDOWN:

笑点 shōten — Shoten, name of TV program [made of the kanji for “laugh” 笑 and “point” or “mark” 点]

屋根 yane — roof

や～ね～ ya~ne~ — terrible; unpleasant [this is a shortened form of  いや iya (disagreeable; detestable) and the sentence ender ね ne which indicates emphasis or agreement.]

LEARN MORE:

Wikipedia Shōten Entry (English): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shōten

Shōten website (Japanese ): http://www.ntv.co.jp/sho-ten/index.html

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Prefecture Spotlight

Fukui 福井

Japanese: 福井県 fukui ken
Capital: 福井市 Fukui City
Population: 803,755 (April 1, 2011)

DID YOU KNOW?

Set on the Sea of Japan, Fukui became a prefecture in 1871, the majority of it formerly being called Echizen. While a small prefecture population-wise, Fukui boasts of having a world-class Dinosaur Museum—the only one in all of Japan, a town (Sabae) that produces 90% of Japan’s eyeglasses, and several nuclear power plants that power about half of the Kansai regional power needs.

Places to See:

· Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins—an important archeological park of an area controlled by the Asakura clan during the Sengoku period. Oda Nobunaga (see this issue’s reader for more about him) defeated the Asakura family and burned the town down in 1573. Much of the town has been restored and is open to the public.

· Maruoka Castle—built in 1576, Maruoka Castle has the oldest still-standing keep in Japan.

· Fukui Dinosaur Museum—a world-class museum.

· Fukui Castle/prefectural government offices—while the government offices are built on the ruins of Fukui Castle, the moat and original walls make it a place to visit.

· Tōjinbō—an area of unique sea-side rock formations.

Famous for:

· Eyeglasses—90% of Japan’s domestically-made glasses are made in Sabae.

· Papermaking—Washi no Sato has museums and places to experience traditionally made paper.

· Echizen Crab.

· Power—has fourteen nuclear reactors, more than any other prefecture. These supply about half of the Kansai Region’s needs.

· Dinosaurs—many dinosaur fossils have been found in Fukui.

The Origin of Words

折(お)り紙(がみ)つき
origami tsuki

Meaning: something very nice; certified to be good

Origin:  First, it has nothing to do with origami. This “origami” refers to an official document certifying the authenticity of a sword (刀の鑑定書 katana no kanteisho). The tsuki means the sword comes with this guaranteed certificate. This paper was folded and thus called “ori” (to fold) “kami” (paper). It is now used to refer to objects in general.

Example:

このレストランのピザは、
折(お)り紙(がみ)つきのおいしさです。
kono resutoran no piza wa, origami tsuki no oishisa desu.
this-restaurant-‘s-pizza-as for-guarantee-‘s-tastiness-is.
I guarantee you’ll love the pizza in this restaurant.

LEARN MORE:  http://www.thejapanesepage.com/vocabulary/etymology/origamitsuki/

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Phrase of the Day

Murphy’s Law in Japanese! What can go wrong?

失敗(しっぱい)する可能性(かのうせい)のあるものは、失敗(しっぱい)する。
shippai suru kanōsei no aru mono wa, shippai suru.

If anything can go wrong, it will.

BREAKDOWN:

失敗する shippai suru – to fail; to make a mistake; to blunder
可能性 kanōsei – potentiality; likelihood; possibility
の no – ‘s (possessive marker)
あるもの aru mono – thing that exists; something

マーフィーは楽観主義者(らっかんしゅぎしゃ)だった。
ma-fi- wa rakkan shugisha datta.
Murphy was an optimist.

BREAKDOWN:

マーフィー ma–fi– – Murphy
は wa – topic particle (marks the topic of the sentence)
楽観 rakkan – optimism
主義 shugi – “-ism”, principle, doctrine
者 sha – a person who does something. [医者 issha – doctor; 学者 gakusha – scholar; 芸者 geisha – geisha…]
だった datta – was (past simple)

LEARN MORE:

http://www.thejapanesepage.com/vocabulary/murphys_law/

Ukiyo-e, the Art of the Floating World

Ukiyo-e was a 17th through 19th century Japanese artform that concentrated on images of everyday life. This included beautiful women, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, regular folk, landscapes, and famous scenes.

EVERYMAN’S ART

Many ukiyo-e artists produced woodblock prints which made mass production possible. This lowered the cost and opened art to the masses. Previously, only the wealthy could afford costly paintings.

GLOBAL INFLUENCE

Artists around the world were influenced by the Japanese ukiyo-e art. Degas, Monet, van Gogh, and Mary Cassatt incorporated the ukiyo-e style in their work.

SHARAKU
One of the most famous ukiyo-e artists was Tōshūsai Sharaku (東洲斎(とうしゅうさい) 写楽(しゃらく)). He lived in the late 18th century and was known for his portraits of kabuki actors. The images below and on the next page are perhaps his most well known.

Otani Oniji III as Yakko Edobei

By Tōshūsai Sharaku

Kanji Spotlight

Grammar Time

休(やす)んだほうがいい 。
yasunda hō ga ii
It would be better to rest.

(Informal Past Verb) + ほうがいい

Use this form when giving advice or to suggest a course of action.

あまり寝(ね)ていないなら、休(やす)んだほうがいいですよ。
amari neteinai nara, yasunda hō ga ii desu yo.
If you didn’t sleep well, it would be better to rest.
[あまり means “not very” and always ends with a negative: あまり寝ていない]
———————

行(い)く前(まえ)に、食(た)べたほうがいい。
iku mae ni tabeta hō ga ii.
Before leaving, it would be best to eat something.
———————

もっとちゃんと勉強(べんきょう)したほうがいいでしょう。
motto chanto benkyō shita hou ga ii deshō.
You should study harder.
[To use with する verbs such as 勉強, use the Informal Past した.]

休(やす)まないほうがいい 。
yasumanai hō ga ii
It would be better not to rest.

(Informal Negative Verb) + ほうがいい

This does NOT use the past form of the verb. Use this to suggest not doing something.

最近食(さいきんた)べすぎなので、ケーキは食(た)べないほうがいい。
saikin tabesugi na node, ke-ki wa tabenai hō ga ii.
Since you’ve eaten too much recently, it would be better to not eat that cake.
———————

高級(こうきゅう)な車(くるま)は買(か)わないほうがいい。
kōkyuu na kuruma wa kawanai hō ga ii.
It would be best to not buy an expensive car.
———————

健康(けんこう)のためにタバコは吸(す)わないほうがいい。
kenkō no tame ni tabako wa suwanai hō ga ii.
For the your health’s sake, you shouldn’t smoke cigarettes.

Article: I, Me, & Thee: On Japanese Pronouns

Japanese is famous for dropping pronouns. Once the topic or subject of a conversation is established, it is awkward to continually use the pronoun. And yet, ironically, there are tons of pronouns available for use—even more when considering dialects.

As mentioned above, you could, and in some cases, should, avoid using pronouns altogether.

When the context is clear, drop the pronoun. When speaking to a superior, it is best to use the person’s name with an honorific such as さま sama or title such as 先生(せんせい) sensei.

But a few well-placed pronouns can enliven a conversation. Want to sound like a sixteenth-century samurai warrior? There are pronouns for that. Want to sound more masculine? No problem. Like a little girl? Sure.

Notes on Pronouns

· When one says “I” in English no information is conveyed other than that it is first person singular. In Japanese, however, many pronouns also carry cultural, gender, or social status connotations.

· As long as the meaning is clear, Japanese usually omits the pronoun.
For example:
カールさんは店(みせ)に行(い)きました。
ka-ru san wa mise ni ikimashita.
Carl went to the store.
そこで、パンを買(か)いました。
sokode, pan o kaimashita.
There, he purchased bread.

· Once the subject is clear, Carl, “he” is unnecessary in the second sentence even though it is required in English.

· Single words or short sentences usually drop the pronoun as it is assumed the speaker is referring to him or herself.
Example:
腹減(はらへ)った。 hara hetta. (I’m) hungry.;
眠(ねむ)い。 nemui. (I’m) sleepy.

· Adding the suffix, たち tachi, to the first person pronoun, makes it plural: 私(わたし)たち watashi tachi we; us.

· The suffix ら ra is a more informal version of たち tachi.

· While you can say 彼女(かのじょ)たち kanojo tachi when the room is full of women or girls, the norm is to use 彼(かれ)ら karera for mixed groups or situations when the gender makeup of the group is unknown.

How to NOT Use Pronouns

You can get by your entire life with only using 私(わたし) watashi for “I” and あなた anata for “you,” but not only would that be boring, in some situations it might actually be rude. あなた anata, for example, can, in some cases, be rude since it implies you are stating the listener is equal to or inferior to you. Saying 私(わたし) watashi too often can make one sound conceited.

Here are a few ways to get around this:

INSTEAD OF 私 watashi

· Point to yourself when referring to yourself

INSTEAD OF あなた anata

· Use the person’s name with　さん san

· Use the person’s title: 先生 sensei (for teachers, doctors, pastors, and other teaching professions); 社長 shachō  (for bosses or company presidents)

· そちら sochira literally means “there” and can be used to refer to your listeners

INSTEAD OF PLURAL PRONOUN

· Refer to everyone as みんな or みなさん

In short, if you can avoid using a pronoun whether through context or substitute, do it.

Now, let’s look at actual pronouns!

Everyday Use Pronouns

私 watashi—I; me [formal or informal; gender-neutral]

うち uchi—one’s own… [usually used with の to talk about one’s household: うちの犬 uchi no inu—my (our) dog]

あなた anata—you [usually said to people on a similar or lower social status; often used by wives to address their husbands like “dear” or “sweetheart”]

君 kimi—you [informal; used among friends; the same kanji is used as the name suffix -kun. Often used with 僕 boku.]

彼女 kanojo—she; her [can also be used to mean “girlfriend.”]

彼 kare—he; him [can also be used to mean “boyfriend.” 彼氏 kareshi always means “boyfriend.”]

Formal Pronouns

私 watakushi—I; me [more formal then just watashi; uses the same kanji as watashi; gender-neutral]

我 ware—I; me [literary style]

我ら warera—we [literary style]

我が waga—my (or can be plural: our as in 我が社 wagasha—our company) [gender neutral]

我々 ware ware—we [formal; used when speaking on behalf of a company or group]

Pronouns for Women

あたし atashi—I [a shortened form of watashi used commonly by women]

Pronouns for Men

俺 ore—I [gives a sense of masculinity; can be rude in some situations]

僕 boku—I [used by males of all ages, but particularly with boys. Can be used when calling a boy whose name you don’t know: “hey, kid” or “hey, squirt.” The kanji 僕 shimobe means “servant”]

儂 washi—I [often used by older males]

Archaic Samurai Edo Period “the Fun” Pronouns

あっし asshi—I; me [Edo period slang for 私 watashi]

拙者 sessha—I; me [used by males; samurai pronoun; the kanji means “clumsy person”]

我が輩 wagahai—I; me [used by males; has a nuance of arrogance; Natsume Soseki’s famous book, I am a Cat is called 吾輩は猫である wagahai wa neko de aru.]

某 soregashi—I; me [used by males; used by samurai as a first person pronoun, but literally means some unknown person]

余 yo—I [used by males] Say this after a good meal:  余は満足じゃ。 yo wa manzoku ja. I am satisfied.

己 onore—I; oneself [used by males; humble when used as first person pronoun, but hostile when used as a second person pronoun (see below)]

汝 nanji—you [used by males and females]

Pronouns for When Upset

あんた anta—you [rude; a shortened version of あなた anata; used when angry]

おまえ omae—you [can be rude or can show familiarity similar to 俺 ore. Often used by husbands when speaking to their wives]

てめえ temee—you [rude; used when angry; used by males; also てまえ temae; kanji: 手前]

きさま kisama—you [rude; historically, this was a formal pronoun the kanji, 貴様 meaning an honorable person]

こいつ koitsu—him; her [informal; implies contempt; used to refer to someone nearby]

あいつ aitsu—him; her [informal; implies contempt; used to refer to someone away from the speaker and listener.]

おのれ onore—you [used by males; humble when used as first person pronoun, but hostile when used as a second person pronoun]

Less Common Pronouns

おら ora—I [rural feel; used in anime or manga such as Crayon Shinchan and Dragon Ball characters]

我ら warera—we [informal; like たち tachi, ら ra is a pluralizing suffix that usually shows familiarity]

Plural Suffixes

～たち ~tachi [informal: 私たち watashi tachi—we; 君たち kimi tachi—you; can also be added to names、groups, or places: 青木さんたち aoki san tachi—the Aoki’s]

～ら ~ra [informal: 彼ら karera—they; あいつら aitsura—they; ]

～とも ~tomo [humble; changes to ~domo; わたくしども watakushi domo]

～かた ~kata [formal; changes to ~gata; あなたがた anata gata—you (plural; more formal than あなたたち anata tachi]

Other

あの人 ano hito—he; she [literally, that person; informal to formal]

あの方 ano kata—he; she [literally, that person; formal / polite]

あの子　ano ko—she [literally, that child, but usually refers to a girl or young woman]

我が社  waga sha—our company [used when representing one’s own company]

Japanese Reader: The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era

In this story, we will examine three poems which illustrate the very different personalities of  three powerful warrior leaders most responsible for ending the “Warring States Period” and unifying Japan. What would these leaders do with a silent bird?

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The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era Running Gloss

これは、戦国時代(せんごくじだい)の武将(ぶしょう)織田信長(おだのぶなが)を表(あらわ)す句(く)です。

鳴かぬなら nakanu nara—if (the bird) doesn't chirp
殺してしまえ koroshite shimae—(I) will kill
ホトトギス hototogisu—a kind of cuckoo bird
これは kore wa—as for this…
戦国時代 sengoku jidai—The Warring States Period (1467-1568 AD)
部将武将 bushō—commanding officer
織田信長 oda nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
表すarawasu—revealing; showing; expressing
句 ku—phrase; statement; sentence
表す句 arawasu ku—a defining phrase

織田信長(おだのぶなが)は、戦国時代(せんごくじだい)、たくさんの戦(いくさ)に勝(か)ち、日本(にほん)のほとんどを支配下(しはいか)に置(お)いた大名(だいみょう)です。

たくさんの takusan no—many

戦 ikusa—war; battle
戦に勝ち ikusa ni kachi—win wars
日本 nihon—Japan
ほとんど hotondo—mostly; nearly all
日本のほとんど nihon no hotondo—nearly all of Japan
支配下 shihaika—under control; subjected
置いた oita—placed; set
大名 daimyō—daimyo; Japanese feudal lord

天下統一(てんかとういつ)まであと一息(ひといき)という時(とき)に、京都(きょうと)で自分(じぶん)の家臣(かしん)明智光秀(あけちみつひで)に殺(ころ)されます。

天下統一 tenka tōitsu—unification of whole country
まで made—until
あと一息 ato hitoiki—just a bit more
という to iu—such a
時 toki—time
京都で kyōto de—at Kyoto
自分の jibun no—one's own (Oda Nobunaga's own)
家臣 kashin—vassal; retainer
明智光秀 akechi mitsuhide—Akechi Mitsuhide (1528-1582)
に殺されます ni korosaremasu—was killed (by vassal)

この句(く)から分(わ)かるように、役( やく)に立(た)たないなら殺(ころ)してしまって良(よ)いとする、

この句から kono ku kara—from this phrase
分かる wakaru—understand
ように yō ni—in order to
役に立たないなら yaku ni tatanainara—if (something) not useful
殺してしまって koroshite shimatte—kill it
良いとする yoi to suru—is a good thing to do

大変(たいへん)残虐(ざんぎゃく)で、短気(たんき)な人(ひと)であったと言(い)われています。

大変 taihen—very
残虐で zangyaku de—cruel; brutal
短気な人 tanki na hito—a short tempered person
であった de atta—was
と言われています to iwareteimasu—it is said…

織田信長(おだのぶなが)の後(あと)、日本(にほん)を支配(しはい)したのは、豊臣秀吉(とよとみひでよし)です。

織田信長 oda nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
の後 no ato—after (Oda)
日本 nihon—Japan
支配したのは shihai shita no wa—the one who ruled was…
豊臣秀吉 toyotomi hideyoshi—Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)

織田信長(おだのぶなが)の死後(しご)、明智光秀(あけちみつひで)を倒(たお)し、天下人(てんかびと)となりました。

織田信長 oda nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
死後 shigo—after the death (of Oda)
明智光秀 akechi mitsuhide—Akechi Mitsuhide (1528-1582)
倒し taoshi—overthrew; depose
天下人 tenka bito—leader over all
となりました to narimashita—became

「鳴(な)かぬなら、鳴(な)かせてみよう。ホトトギス」

鳴かぬなら nakanunara—if (the bird) doesn't sing
鳴かせてみよう nakasete miyō—I'll make it sing
ホトトギス hototogisu—a kind of cuckoo bird

これは、豊臣秀吉(とよとみひでよし)を表(あらわ)す句(く)です。

これは kore wa—as for this
表す句 arawasu ku—a revealing phrase

秀吉(ひでよし)はもともと「木下藤吉郎(きのしたとうきちろう)」という名(な)で、農家(のうか)の出身(しゅっしん)でした。

秀吉 hideyoshi—Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)
もともと motomoto—originally; from the start
木下藤吉郎 kinoshita tōkichirō—Kinoshita Tōkichirō (Hideyoshi)
という名で to iu na de—had such a name
農家 nōka—farmer
出身 shusshin—person's origin

出世(しゅっせ)したいと織田信長(おだのぶなが)の家臣(かしん)になりますが、はじめは「足軽(あしがる)」と呼(よ)ばれる一番位(いちばんくらい)の低(ひく)い兵隊(へいたい)でした。

出世したい shusse shitai—to want success in life
織田信長 oda nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
家臣 kashin—vassal; retainer
になります ni narimasu—become (a vassal)
が ga—but; however
はじめは hajime wa—in the beginning
足軽 ashigaru—common foot soldier
と呼ばれる to yobareru—was called
一番ichiban—the most
位の低い kurai no hikui—low rank
兵隊 heitai—soldier

雑用(ざつよう)などなんでもこなさなければいけないところから始(はじ)まりましたが、

雑用 zatsuyō—various duties
など nado—et cetera; and the like
なんでも nandemo—whatever; anything
こなさなければいけない konasanakereba ikenai—must do (work)
ところから tokoro kara—from that position; from there…
始まりました hajimarimashita—began
が ga—but; however

どうやったら殿様(とのさま)に気(き)に入(い)られるか、

どうやったら dō yattara—how; by what means…
殿様 tonosama—feudal lord
気に入られる ki ni irareru—ingratiate; be liked by

工夫(くふう)をしたり、思(おも)いがけない作戦(さくせん)を練(ね)ったりするので、

工夫 kufuu—scheme; device
したり shitari—doing (things like scheming)
思いがけない omoigakenai—unexpected; contrary to expectations
作戦 sakusen—strategy; tactics
練ったりする nettari suru—doing (things like) polishing a (strategy)
ので node—therefore; because of that

織田信長(おだのぶなが)に気(き)に入(い)られ、どんどん出世(しゅっせ)していきました。

織田信長 oda nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
気に入られ ki ni irare—was liked; came into favor
どんどん dondon—rapidly; steadily
出世していきました shusse shite ikimashita—rose in life

ある寒(さむ)い朝(あさ)、信長(のぶなが)が出(で)かけようとすると、

ある寒い朝 aru samui asa—one cold morning
信長 nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
出かけようと dekakeyō to—intended to go out
すると suru to—upon doing so

自分(じぶん)のはく草履(ぞうり)がありません。

自分のはく jibun no haku—his own (shoes) that he wore
草履zōri—zori; Japanese sandals
ありません arimasen—didn't have; wasn't there

草履(ぞうり)を揃(そろ)えておくのは、秀吉(ひでよし)の仕事(しごと)です。

揃えておく soroete oku—to gather together
秀吉 hideyoshi—Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)
仕事 shigoto—job; work; task

「おい、猿(さる)、わしの草履(ぞうり)がないぞ。」信長(のぶなが)は怒(おこ)って言(い)いました。

おい oi—hey!
猿 saru—monkey (nickname for Hideyoshi)
わしの washi no—my
草履 zōri—zori; Japanese sandals
ないぞ nai zo—aren't there
信長 nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
怒って言いました okotte iimashita—said angrily

秀吉(ひでよし)は、すかさず自分(じぶん)の懐(ふところ)から草履(ぞうり)を差(さ)し出(だ)し、

秀吉 hideyoshi—Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)
すかさず sukasazu—without a moment's delay
自分の懐から jibun no futokoro kara—from his breast pocket
差し出し sashi dashi—presented; brought out

「今朝(けさ)は冷(ひ)えましたので、殿(との)の草履(ぞうり)を温(あたた)めておきました。」と言(い)ったと言(い)われています。

今朝 kesa—this morning
冷えました hiemashita—was chilly
ので node—therefore; because of that
殿の tono no—my lord's…
温めておきました atatamete okimashita—warmed up
と言った to itta—(he) said
言われています iwarete imasu—so they say; as it is recounted

信長(のぶなが)は、こういう秀吉(ひでよし)の心遣(こころづか)いが気(き)に入(い)って、ますます登用(とうよう)したそうです。

こういう kō iu—in this way; such a (Hideyoshi)…
心遣い kokoro zukai—sympathy; regard for; consideration for…
気に入って ki ni itte—was pleased with
ますます masu masu—more and more; increasingly
登用した tōyō shita—appointed; promoted to
そうです sō desu—it seems; so it is said

秀吉(ひでよし)の亡(な)き後(あと)、天下(てんか)を統一(とういつ)したのが、徳川家康(とくがわいえやす)です。

秀吉 hideyoshi—Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)
亡き後 naki ato—after the death (of Hideyoshi)
天下 tenka—the whole country
統一したのが tōitsu shita no ga—the one who unified
徳川家康 tokugawa ieyasu—Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)

「鳴(な)かぬなら、鳴(な)くまで待(ま)とう。ホトトギス」

鳴かぬなら nakanunara—if (the bird) won't sing
鳴くまで naku made—until (it) sings
待とう matō—(I'll) wait
ホトトギス hototogisu—a kind of cuckoo bird

家康(いえやす)は、子供(こども)の頃(ころ)から、人質(ひとじち)に出(だ)されるなど、

家康 ieyasu—Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)
子供の頃から kodomo no koro kara—from the time of (his) childhood
人質 hitojichi—political hostage; prisoner (for friendly relations)
出される dasareru—sent off (as hostage)
など nado—et cetra; and the like

大変(たいへん)な苦労(くろう)をした人(ひと)でした。

大変 taihen—very; many
苦労をした人 kurō o shita hito—a person with (many) hardships

三人(さんにん)の武将(ぶしょう)の中(なか)では、一番(いちばん)長生(ながい)きで、

三人 sannin—three people
武将の中で bushō no naka de—among the military leaders
一番長生き ichiban naga iki—longest living; (had) the longest life
で de—and

最後(さいご)に将軍(しょうぐん)となりました。

最後に saigo ni—finally; in the end; the last
将軍となりましたshōgun to narimashita—became shogun

そして、そののち二百(にひゃく)年(ねん)という長(なが)い間(あいだ)、徳川家(とくがわけ)が日本(にほん)をおさめました。

そして soshite—and
そののち sono nochi—thereafter…
二百年 nihyaku nen—200 years time
という to iu—such a
長い nagai—long
間 aida—period (of time)
徳川家 tokugawa ke—the House of Tokugawa
日本 nihon—Japan
おさめました osamemashita—ruled

苦労(くろう)の人生(じんせい)を耐(た)えながら、最後(さいご)に栄光(えいこう)を掴(つか)み、

苦労 kurō—hardship; troubles
人生 jinsei—lifetime; life
耐えながら taenagara—endured through it all
最後に saigo ni—finally
栄光 eikō—glory
掴み tsukami—grasped; seized; caught

地位(ちい)と名誉(めいよ)を獲得(かくとく)した人物(じんぶつ)という意味(いみ)が、

地位 chii—social position; status
名誉 meiyo—honor; credit; prestige
獲得 kaku toku—acquired
人物 jinbutsu—person
という意味 to iu imi—such a meaning

この句(く)には込(こ)められています。

この句 kono ku—this phrase
込められています komerarete imasu—(such a meaning) is included (in this phrase)

さて、あなたはどの武将(ぶしょう)が一番(いちばん)好(す)きですか？

さて sate—well, then
あなたは anata wa—as for you
どの dono—which
武将 bushō—miliitary commander
一番好き ichiban suki—favorite

The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era Grammatical Notes

1.      鳴かぬなら nakanu nara—if (the bird) doesn't chirp

The ぬ is a negative ender (doesn't sing) and なら means "if."

2.      殺してしまえ koroshite shimae—(I) will kill

しまえ is a form of しまう to finish; to stop; to put an end to

3.      hototogisu—a kind of cuckoo bird

In English it is called the "lesser cuckoo" and is mostly found in Asia. Here is a picture of the bird:

4.      戦国時代 sengoku jidai—The Warring States Period (1467-1568 AD)

A period of Japanese history full of political upheaval and constant battle. In 1568 Oda Nobunaga mostly unified Japan and many consider this the end of the Sengoku Period. Others prefer 1615 when the Tokugawa shogunate was truly established.

5.      織田信長 oda nobunaga—Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)

Oda Nobunaga was the first of the three great leaders responsible for unifying Japan. He was a powerful daimyō (feudal lord) who was known for his brutal suppression of his opponents. His version of the poem is "if the bird won't sing, kill it."

6.      句 ku—phrase; statement; sentence

This kanji is also used in 俳句 haiku (the poem format) and 文句 monku (to complain). Both concepts use words.

7.      大名 daimyō—daimyo; Japanese feudal lord

These powerful feudal lords ruled (under the shōgun) most of Japan until the Meiji period (1868). The kanji, 大 dai means "big" and 名 myō comes from 名田  myōden for taxable private land. These leaders were subordinate only to the shōgun.

8.      天下統一 tenka tōitsu—unification of whole country

Prior to these three leaders, sections of Japan were ruled independantly by daimyō. 天下 tenka means "the whole world" or "everything under heaven." And 統一 tōitsu means "unity" or "consolidation."

9.      あと一息 ato hitoiki—just a bit more; we're almost there

あと ato means "more" as in あと５分 ato gofun—five minutes more. 一息 hito iki literally means "one breath" and implies just a little more work (hard breathing) and the job will be complete.

10.  明智光秀 akechi mitsuhide—Akechi Mitsuhide (1528-1582)

Akechi Mitsuhide was a samurai and military leader during the Sengoku period (Warring States). Mitsuhide was a general under Oda Nobunaga, but he led a rebellion against Nobunaga in 1582, leading to his master's death.

11.  に殺されます ni korosaremasu—was killed (by vassal)

This is the passive form: was killed by… 殺す korosu—to kill; 殺される korosareru—to be killed.

12.  良いとする yoi to suru—is a good thing to do

とする to suru is a useful way to show an attempt or desire to do something: to try to… to be about to do… to decide upon…

13.  であった de atta—was

This is the past and a formal/literary form.

14.  支配したのは shihai shita no wa—the one who ruled was…

の in this case is used to nominalize verbs or adjectives. "the one who ruled" The は is the topic particle. Together, this might be "As for the one who ruled, it was…"

15.  豊臣秀吉 toyotomi hideyoshi—Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598)

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was the second of the three great leaders. The poet describes Hideyoshi's temperament as "If the bird won't sing, make it sing." His master, Oda Nobunaga nicknamed him "Monkey" for his appearance. If you would like to learn more, I recommend Eiji Yoshikawa's Taiko. It is a historical fiction work on the life of Hideyoshi.

16.  天下人 tenka bito—leader over all

Literally, "the person over the whole world." 天下 tenka—the whole world + 人 hito—person. Japanese often prefer creative titles instead of "king."

17.  出身 shusshin—person's origin

出 shu(tsu)—exit; leave; come out + 身 shin—body; oneself If you want to ask where someone is from,  you can say 出身はどこですか？ shusshin wa doko desu ka?

18.  出世したい shusse shitai—to want success (to move up) in life

出 shu(tsu)—exit; leave; come out + 世 se—generation; world; society

19.  ところから tokoro kara—from that position; from there…

ところ can mean a physical location, but here refers to one's place in society. Hideyoshi started at a low rank.

20.  草履zōri—zori; Japanese sandals

Zōri are Japanese sandals traditionally made of rice straw or other plant fibers. Modern zōri also use plastic as the picture shows below. After WWII, the modern flip-flop appeared based on the Japanese zōri.

21.  猿 saru—monkey (nickname for Hideyoshi)

Oda Nobunaga called Hideyoshi this unflattering nickname.

22.  わしの washi no—my

わし is a first person pronoun mainly used by older men.

23.  ないぞ nai zo—aren't there

ぞ is a sentence ender adding force or emphasis and used by men.

24.  統一したのが tōitsu shita no ga—the one who unified

The の is used to nominalize verbs or adjectives. The one who unified was…

25.  徳川家康 tokugawa ieyasu—Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616)

The last of the unifiers and founder of the long lasting Tokugawa shogunate (1600-1868).

26.  人質 hitojichi—hostage; prisoner (for friendly relations)

Various clans would guarantee peace treaties and agreements by giving their sons or daughters as hostages.

27.  苦労をした人 kurō o shita hito—a person with (many) hardships

Sometimes it is helpful to start at the end: 人 the person who 苦労をした had hardships.

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The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era in Japanese

「鳴(な)かぬなら殺(ころ)してしまえ。ホトトギス」

これは、戦国時代(せんごくじだい)の武将(ぶしょう)織田信長(おだのぶなが)を表(あらわ)す句(く)です。

織田信長(おだのぶなが)は、戦国時代(せんごくじだい)、たくさんの戦(いくさ)に勝(か)ち、日本(にほん)のほとんどを支配下(しはいか)に置(お)いた大名(だいみょう)です。天下統一(てんかとういつ)まであと一息(ひといき)という時(とき)に、京都(きょうと)で自分(じぶん)の家臣(かしん)明智光秀(あけちみつひで)に殺(ころ)されます。

この句(く)から分(わ)かるように、役( やく)に立(た)たないなら殺(ころ)してしまって良(よ)いとする、大変(たいへん)残虐(ざんぎゃく)で、短気(たんき)な人(ひと)であったと言(い)われています。

織田信長(おだのぶなが)の後(あと)、日本(にほん)を支配(しはい)したのは、豊臣秀吉(とよとみひでよし)です。

織田信長(おだのぶなが)の死後(しご)、明智光秀(あけちみつひで)を倒(たお)し、天下人(てんかびと)となりました。

「鳴(な)かぬなら、鳴(な)かせてみよう。ホトトギス」

これは、豊臣秀吉(とよとみひでよし)を表(あらわ)す句(く)です。秀吉(ひでよし)はもともと「木下藤吉郎(きのしたとうきちろう)」という名(な)で、農家(のうか)の出身(しゅっしん)でした。

出世(しゅっせ)したいと織田信長(おだのぶなが)の家臣(かしん)になりますが、はじめは「足軽(あしがる)」と呼(よ)ばれる一番位(いちばんくらい)の低(ひく)い兵隊(へいたい)でした。

雑用(ざつよう)などなんでもこなさなければいけないところから始(はじ)まりましたが、どうやったら殿様(とのさま)に気(き)に入(い)られるか、工夫(くふう)をしたり、思(おも)いがけない作戦(さくせん)を練(ね)ったりするので、織田信長(おだのぶなが)に気(き)に入(い)られ、どんどん出世(しゅっせ)していきました。

ある寒(さむ)い朝(あさ)、信長(のぶなが)が出(で)かけようとすると、自分(じぶん)のはく草履(ぞうり)がありません。草履(ぞうり)を揃(そろ)えておくのは、秀吉(ひでよし)の仕事(しごと)です。「おい、猿(さる)、わしの草履(ぞうり)がないぞ。」信長(のぶなが)は怒(おこ)って言(い)いました。秀吉(ひでよし)は、すかさず自分(じぶん)の懐(ふところ)から草履(ぞうり)を差(さ)し出(だ)し、「今朝(けさ)は冷(ひ)えましたので、殿(との)の草履(ぞうり)を温(あたた)めておきました。」と言(い)ったと言(い)われています。信長(のぶなが)は、こういう秀吉(ひでよし)の心遣(こころづか)いが気(き)に入(い)って、ますます登用(とうよう)したそうです。

秀吉(ひでよし)の亡(な)き後(あと)、天下(てんか)を統一(とういつ)したのが、徳川家康(とくがわいえやす)です。

「鳴(な)かぬなら、鳴(な)くまで待(ま)とう。ホトトギス」

家康(いえやす)は、子供(こども)の頃(ころ)から、人質(ひとじち)に出(だ)されるなど、大変(たいへん)な苦労(くろう)をした人(ひと)でした。三人(さんにん)の武将(ぶしょう)の中(なか)では、一番(いちばん)長生(ながい)きで、最後(さいご)に将軍(しょうぐん)となりました。そして、そののち二百(にひゃく)年(ねん)という長(なが)い間(あいだ)、徳川家(とくがわけ)が日本(にほん)をおさめました。

苦労(くろう)の人生(じんせい)を耐(た)えながら、最後(さいご)に栄光(えいこう)を掴(つか)み、地位(ちい)と名誉(めいよ)を獲得(かくとく)した人物(じんぶつ)という意味(いみ)が、この句(く)には
込(こ)められています。

さて、あなたはどの武将(ぶしょう)が一番(いちばん)好(す)きですか？

The Warrior Leaders of the Warring States Era English Summary

Please try to tackle the Japanese first and use this only as needed.

"If the Lesser Cuckoo doesn't sing, kill it."

This is the illustrative phrase for the Warring States Period military commander Oda Nobunaga.

Oda Nobunaga was a daimyo who won many battles during the Warring States Period and was able to subjugate much of Japan under one rule. Just at the moment he was about to rule it all, however, he was assassinated by his retainer Akechi Mitsuhide.

So you understand the above phrase, he thought it good to kill anything not useful. It is said he was a very cruel and short-tempered man.

After Oda Nobunaga, the next great warrior leader of Japan was Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Oda Nobunaga died, Akechi Mitsuhide fell and he became the "tenkabito," the one ruler over all the land.

"If the Lesser Cuckoo doesn't sing, make it sing."

This was Toyotomi Hideyoshi's illustrative phrase. Hideyoshi's original name was "Kinoshita Toukichiro" and he was born to a farming family.

Wanting to rise in life, he became Oda Nobunaga's retainer, but at the beginning, he was an "ashigaru" the lowest footsoldier. He was tasked with various duties. He thought how he could ingratiate himself to the lord by coming up with schemes or unexpected tactics to make Oda Nobunaga like him. Thanks to his efforts, he quickly rose in position.

One winter morning when Nobunaga was going out, he didn't have his own zori shoes. Now, it was Hideyoshi's job to set out Nobunaga's shoes.

"Hey! Monkey (Nobunaga's nickname for Hideyoshi)! I don't have my shoes!" Nobunga said angrily.

Without delay, Hideyoshi pulled out the zori shoes from within his breast pocket and said, "this morning is very cold so I warmed up my lord's shoes." Or so, the story goes.

Nobunaga was pleased with these little considerations Hideyoshi gave and continued to promote him.

After Hideyoshi died, the one ruler over all was Tokugawa Ieyasu.

"If the Lesser Cuckoo doesn't sing, wait."

As a child, Ieyasu was taken as a political hostage and experienced many other troubles. Of the three military leaders, he was the longest living and was the last of the three shogun. For the next two hundred years, a long period, the Tokugawa house ruled Japan.

Having endured a hard life patiently, he was able to attain glory and social position in the end. Such is the meaning of the above phrase.

Well, now. Which military leader do you like the most?

Kanji in Focus

The following are most of the kanji found in this book. The underlined reading is probably the most used. If there is a . that means what comes before the dot is in the kanji and what goes after the dot follows the kanji in hiragana.

MAKOTO

Japanese e-zine

We hope this e-zine will help with your Japanese. Please email me (Clay) at clay@thejapanshop.com with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

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In the next issue, the story will continue the “samurai” or warrior theme with a short biography of Sakamoto Ryoma, the great reformer during the Bakumatsu (the end of the Tokugawa shogunate) period.

Clay & Yumi