Wordbook Features

This is a page-by-page ordered glossary presenting selected vocabulary for original Japanese book Ejison, which is published by Kodansha and sold separately.

Workbook Details:
BSW503
Letter and A4 PDF
76 pages
948 entries

Ordered Glossary Method

Blue Sea Wordbooks provide important vocabulary for a corresponding Japanese book. The format is an "ordered glossary", listing vocabulary words in order to match the page and sequence in which the words appear on the page of the original book. This allows quick reference so that reading of the original book can proceed more smoothly.

Each entry presents 3 elements of information in 3 corresponding columns. The first is the kanji representation of the vocabulary word; the second is the reading of the word in hiragana; the third is a brief definition in English. See Wordbook Information for additional details.

Overview of Original Book

The Industrial Revolution was achieving full stride just as Japan was opening to the world. The combination of hell-bent development and new opportunity appealed greatly to the Japanese, and their first international idol became apparent. Thomas Edison was the epitome of the new Japanese ideal.

Consider these Edison qualities in comparison to traditionally respected Japanese values: he often worked 12 to 14 hours a day, he relentlessly pursued lines of research, and he focused on products with commercial value. He was also socially shy and awkward. This is a picture of the Japanese salaryman.

Throw in a wild-west upbringing, a self-taught science background, and record-breaking achievements, and you have a story that would appeal to anyone enamored of America's glory days. Then remember that Edison struggled through times of obscurity and poverty before earning his way to success. A hundred years later, the company he formed is still the world's largest. This is truly is a great story for anybody, and there is no wonder that Japanese in times past thought of him with special reverence.

Ejison was written by Noriyuki Sakikawa in 1981. It is published by Kodansha (Tokyo). Size of 4.5 x 7.0 inches, paperback, 254 pages, approximately 20 B/W photos and drawings. The generally intended target audience is a native Japanese adolescent.

ISBN-10: 4-06-147502-9
ISBN-13: 978-4061475021

Original Book Details in Japanese

This original book is not sold by Blue Sea Press! It is available from Amazon Japan. All information on the Amazon Japan site is presented in Japanese and may be troublesome for some users.

See Wordbook Information for other sources which may be able to supply the original book.

Blue Sea Press is not responsible for availability of the original Japanese book or its means of distribution.

Evaluation of Original Book

There is one problem with this book: it was written in 1981. It seems that anything written in that year absolutely drips with reactionary insistence that good books have to be told with boring prose.

Nevertheless, there is good style in spots, as the author describes some of Edison's more mischievous adventures, such as lopping off his finger with a hatchet, setting fire to a passenger train, and taking control of a locomotive as the engineer dozed.

The story of Edison's turn from rudderless adolescence to focused adulthood stays interesting, even if the style is notably outdated. This is one of those books that can be enjoyed for the sheer truth behind it. Edison was an amazing person, and it comes through in this account.

About Evaluation and Rankings

Read a Japanese Book

Wordbook: Ejison provides support for reading of the original Japanese book, enabling a smoother and more enjoyable reading experience that will assist in learning of the Japanese language.