Wordbook Features

This is a page-by-page ordered glossary presenting selected vocabulary for original Japanese book Higo No Ishiku, which is published by Iwanami and sold separately.

Workbook Details:
BSW504
Letter and A4 PDF
86 pages
1625 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

Set in the mid-1800s, a highly sought mason completes a castle bridge and suddenly finds himself trailed by disaster. An assasin is dispatched to eliminate builders who know a strategic secret about the bridge, but he spares the mason's life and kills a bystander in his place. What appears to be mercy wreaks one agony after another. But the mason perseveres through confusion and regret, eventually winning back his carreer and the affection of those worst affected by the tragedy.

Higo No Ishiku was written by Sukeyuki Imanishi in 1965. It is published by Iwanami (Tokyo). Size of 4.5 x 7.0 inches, paperback, 240 pages, approximately 10 B/W drawings. The generally intended target audience is a native Japanese adolescent.

ISBN-10: 4-00-114078-0
ISBN-13: 978-4001140781

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

The core of this story is very absorbing, but revealing it is laborious. While ostensibly written for adolescent readers, the book is full of archaic slang and dialectical terms, historical references, and strange asides. It can be very difficult to wade through some sections. Problems often occur with books written by older standards, and this one first came out in 1965.

A redeeming factor is the truly interesting story, interwoven with the accounts of several minor characters. In contrast to the troublesome spots, many sections are lucid and engaging.

One fascinating aspect of this book is the expression of traditional Japanese pathos. What looks like fortune becomes a source of torment. Misunderstandings crush people. Only tragedy follows tragedy. Pain is good for the soul. A happy end is met through endurance.

About Evaluation and Rankings

Read a Japanese Book

Wordbook: Higo No Ishiku 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.