"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. The wordbooks are in PDF format—the user must print if desired.

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.

Using a Wordbook

While reading the original book, keep the Blue Sea Wordbook nearby to check offered vocabulary. Advance highlighting of original book words matching wordbook entries will signal during reading which words are available for reference.

The example at left is from the original book Ejison ("Edison"), with furigana of the original book omitted.

Many wordbook entries also present special symbols indicating information such as the existence of significant homonyms.

Basic Japanese Abilities Required

Not every word of the original book is included in a wordbook. The reader is expected to have at least a basic understanding of Japanese grammar and a working vocabulary that includes common words. Persons interested in learning basic Japanese should see Recommended to consider appropriate materials.

Due to frequent occurrence, many adverbs are not listed in the wordbooks and are instead offered by
The Handy Adverb Dictionary (free download).

Selection of Wordbook Entries

Vocabulary of the original book is carefully chosen for inclusion in a Blue Sea Wordbook. Selection criteria takes into account the reading level of likely non-native readers, which also corresponds in some degree to the native target audience for the original book. A wordbook for an original book for native adolescent readers will include more vocabulary considered difficult for native adolescents and non-native learners. A wordbook for a native adult original will omit many words considered widely understood by the target audience.

Purchasing an Original Book 

Original books are not sold by Blue Sea Press. Only wordbooks, which assist in reading of original books, are offered by Blue Sea Press. Original books are available from sources that sell Japanese books. Blue Sea Press is not responsible for the availability of original Japanese books or their means of distribution.

Bookstores

Bookstores that sell Japanese books can be a convenient way to order original books. Many large cities have Japanese bookstores.

When contacting a Japanese bookstore to make an order, present the information on the page linked by "Original Book Details in Japanese" for the corresponding Blue Sea Wordbook.

The following Japanese bookstores are suggested.

Online Retailers

Online retailers such as Amazon Japan offer original books, but information on the Amazon Japan site is presented in Japanese and may be troublesome for some users. Some online retailers based in Japan may have difficulty shipping to locations outside Japan. Kinokuniya offers a sites that are matched to the US East Coast and US West Coast site, but information and searching for Japanese books is in Japanese.

When ordering from an online retailer, information can be pasted from the page linked by "Original Book Details in Japanese" for the corresponding Blue Sea Wordbook.

Online Japanese Book Retailers

          Amazon Japan

          Kinokuniya US East Coast

          Kinokuniya US West Coast

Back to Blue Sea Wordbooks