短文チャレンジ – Ancient Kofun Tombs
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How to improve your Japanese vocabulary and reading 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
- Take the quiz to test sentence structure and understanding. The first few questions are based on the simplified article and the last are based on the native-level article.
- Lastly, leave a comment about the article ! Let us know what you think!
Kofun tombs (古 (old) 墳 (tomb; mound)) are ancient burial mounds that were constructed in Japan during the Kofun period (roughly 3rd to 7th century AD). These tombs are significant as they represent a period of great cultural, social, and economic development in Japan.
The Kofun period is also known for its Haniwa figures, which are clay figures that were placed around the tombs. These figures include representations of animals, people, and mythical creatures, and they provide insight into the religious and cultural beliefs of the period.
Today, many of the Kofun tombs are designated as national historic sites and are open to the public. They are important cultural landmarks that provide a glimpse into Japan's ancient past and the origins of its unique cultural identity.
KEY VOCABULARY
Mouse over or tap to see the furigana
Easy Version Vocabulary
- 古墳 Ancient burial mounds in Japan
- 日本 Japan
- 古い Old
- お墓 Grave
- こと Thing
- です Is (copula verb)
- 古代 Ancient times
- に In, at
- 作られ Were made (passive verb form)
- その That
- 大きさ Size
- や And, or
- 形 Shape
- まちまち Various
- 中に Inside, among
- 長さ Length
- が Subject marker particle
- 400メートル400 meters
- にも Even
- なる Become
- もの Thing
- あります Exists (polite form)
- から From
- 文化 Culture
- 歴史 History
- に関する Related to, about
- 多くのMany
- 情報 Information
- 得られます Can be obtained (polite form)
- 土器 Earthenware
- 短剣 Short sword
- など Etcetera, and so on
- 遺物 Relic
- が残されている Have been left behind (passive verb form)
- こと Thing
- も Also
- 日本のJapan's
- 知る Know
- ために For the purpose of
- とても Very
- 重要な Important
- 存在 Existence
- です Is (copula verb)
Normal Version Vocabulary
- 古墳 ancient tomb
- 日本 Japan
- 古代 ancient times
- 墓 grave/tomb
- 3世紀 3rd century
- 頃 around
- 支配階級 ruling class
- 建てられる to be built
- 大きさ size
- 形状 shape
- 様々な various
- 最大 maximum
- 400メートル400 meters
- 達する to reach
- 中でも among them
- 有名な na famous
- 大阪 Osaka
- 仁徳天皇 Emperor Nintoku
- 言われる to be said
- 大山古墳 Daisen Kofun
- 文化遺産 cultural heritage
- 重要な important
- 一部 part
- 古代史 ancient history
- 関する to be related to
- 貴重な valuable
- 情報 information
- 提供するto provide
- 墓の発掘調査 tomb excavation
- 土器 pottery
- 青銅器 bronze item
- 宝飾品 jewelry
- 遺物 artifact
- 発見されるto be discovered
- 習慣 custom/habit
- 信仰 belief/faith
- 知る to know
- 重要な役割 important role
- 果たす to play a role
- 国宝 national treasure
- 重要文化財 important cultural property
- 指定されるto be designated
- 一般に generally
- 公開される to be open to the public.
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