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August 21, 2024

短文チャレンジ #6 – Nijo Castle 二条城

短文(たんぶん)チャレンジ – Nijo Castle

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Read the news, cultural articles, and history notes in levels

How to improve your Japanese reading and vocabulary skills with 100 Word Challenge. While you can approach these lessons in any order, here are a few tips:

  • Review the Key Vocabulary below
  • Read the story in either the EASY version or the native-level  NORMAL version or both (Click or tap the tabs to view the essay)
  • Read again while listening to the audio
  • Listen to the audio alone
  • Lastly, leave a comment about the article ! Let us know what you think!

Read about one of Japan’s most famous castles in two versions: easier short sentences or in natural Japanese.

Nijo Castle, located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan, is a historic site that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Japan's feudal era. Constructed in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle served as the Kyoto residence of the shoguns.

 Renowned for its stunning architecture, Nijo Castle is especially famous for its intricate nightingale floors, which were designed to chirp when walked upon, acting as a security measure against intruders. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and boasting ornate interiors, Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture.

KEY VOCABULARY

Mouse over or tap to see the furigana

Easy Version Vocabulary

名詞(めいし) Nouns

  • 二条城(にじょうじょう) Nijo Castle
  • 徳川家康(とくがわいえやす) Tokugawa Ieyasu
  • (しろ) castle
  • 京都(きょうと) Kyoto
  • 将軍(しょうぐん) shogun
  • 場所(ばしょ) place
  • ふすま() fusuma painting
  • 天井画(てんじょうが) ceiling painting
  • 狩野探幽(かりのたんゆう) Kanō Tan'yū
  • 画家(がか) painter
  • 最後(さいご) last
  • 徳川慶喜(とくがわよしのぶ) Tokugawa Yoshinobu
  • 大政奉還(たいせいほうかん) Taisei Hōkan (Restoration of Imperial Rule)
  • 日本(にほん) Japan
  • 政治(せいじ) politics
  • ユネスコ UNESCO
  • 世界遺産(せかいいさん) World Heritage Site
  • 観光客(かんこうきゃく) tourists

動詞(どうし) Verbs

  • ()てる to build
  • ある to be; to exist
  • ()まる to stay
  • ()く to paint; to draw
  • (おこな)う to carry out
  • ()わる to change
  • 登録(とうろく)する to register

その() Other

  • たくさん many; a lot
  • (うつく)しい beautiful
  • 有名(ゆうめい) famous
  • (いま)でも even now
  • (おお)きく greatly
  • (おお)く many; numerous
  • 人気(にんき)がある popular

Normal Version Vocabulary

名詞(めいし) Nouns

  • 二条城(にじょうじょう) Nijo Castle
  • 徳川家康(とくがわいえやす) Tokugawa Ieyasu
  • 京都(きょうと) Kyoto
  • 宿泊所(しゅくはくじょ) accommodation
  • (しろ) castle
  • 将軍(しょうぐん) shogun
  • 拠点(きょてん) base
  • 3(さん)(だい)将軍(しょうぐん)家光(いえみつ) Third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu
  • 後水尾天皇(ごみずのおてんのう) Emperor Go-Mizunoo
  • 改修(かいしゅう) renovation
  • 狩野派(かのうは) Kanō school
  • 障壁画(しょうへきが) wall paintings
  • 15(だい)将軍(しょうぐん)徳川慶喜(とくがわよしのぶ) Fifteenth Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu
  • ()丸御殿(まるごてん) Ninomaru Palace
  • 大政奉還(たいせいほうかん) Taisei Hōkan (Restoration of Imperial Rule)
  • 場所(ばしょ) place
  • 歴史(れきし) history
  • ユネスコ UNESCO
  • 世界遺産(せかいいさん) World Heritage Site
  • 観光客(かんこうきゃく) tourists
  • 京都(きょうと)象徴(しょうちょう) symbolic (place) of Kyoto

動詞(どうし) Verbs

  • (きず)く to build
  • 使用(しよう)する to use
  • (むか)える to receive; to welcome
  • (おこな)う to carry out
  • 表明(ひょうめい)する to declare
  • 登録(とうろく)する to register
  • (おとず)れる to visit

その() Other

  • (さい) when; on the occasion
  • 大規模(だいきぼ) large-scale
  • (うつく)しい beautiful
  • 歴史的(れきしてき) historically
  • 重要(じゅうよう) important
  • 現在(げんざい) also
  • (おお)く many; numerous
  • 象徴的(しょうちょうてき) symbolic

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