When learners start reading Japanese for the first time,
many feel unsure.
They wonder:
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“Am I ready to read?”
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“Is this too easy?”
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“Is this even real Japanese?”
「一つ二つ三つ」 is a book that quietly answers those worries.
Image source: ASK Publishing official website
A gentle first story in Japanese
This book is part of the
レベル別日本語多読ライブラリー にほんご よむよむ文庫 series
and belongs to the very first level.
It is designed for learners who are reading Japanese stories
for the first time.
You do not need:
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grammar knowledge
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long vocabulary lists
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confidence in reading
You only need curiosity.
Why this book works so well for beginners
This story focuses on counting:
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一つ
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二つ
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三つ
But it is not a counting exercise.
Through simple sentences and illustrations, you naturally encounter:
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basic numbers
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common objects
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how Japanese names and refers to things
You learn how Japanese points at the world,
not by explanation, but by repetition inside a story.
Learning numbers without studying numbers
Many learners try to study counters and numbers.
This book does something better.
It lets you:
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see numbers used naturally
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connect numbers with objects
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feel how Japanese flows around simple ideas
You don’t memorize.
You recognize.
That recognition is the beginning of real understanding.
Objects appear naturally
Another strength of this book is vocabulary without pressure.
You meet:
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simple object names
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everyday items
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words that appear together with pictures
You are not asked to remember them.
You simply see them again and again.
This is how vocabulary quietly settles.
A perfect first Japanese story
If this is your first time reading a Japanese story,
this book is an excellent starting point.
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The story is short
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The structure is clear
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You can finish it without feeling tired
Most importantly, you can close the book thinking:
“I read Japanese.”
That feeling matters.
How to read this book
Here is how I recommend using it:
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Start with the pictures
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Read without translating
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Don’t stop for every unknown word
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Let the numbers and objects repeat naturally
You can read it in:
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one sitting
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or just a few pages at a time
There is no correct speed.
This book is not a test
You don’t need to understand everything.
You don’t need to explain it.
You don’t need to prove progress.
This book is simply a place where Japanese feels safe.
Who this book is for
This book is especially good for:
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absolute beginners
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learners who feel nervous about reading
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people who want their first Japanese story experience
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learners who prefer calm, visual input
If Japanese reading feels scary,
this book makes it feel possible.
Where to find the book
If you would like to purchase this book,
you can find official information here:
(This book is part of a graded reader series and may be sold as part of a set.)
Final note
This is not a book to study.
It is a book to begin.
In the next articles, I will continue introducing books from this series,
moving slowly upward in level—
always keeping Japanese comfortable and approachable.
