An Introduction to Modern Japanese: Volume 1, Grammar Lessons

by Richard Bowring, Haruko Uryu Laurie

This is an intensive one-year introductory course in Japanese, also suitable for those who wish to work at a slower pace. Students who finish this course will have a firm grasp of how the language works and enough knowledge of the writing system to tackle everyday written material with no more than a dictionary. Particular attention is paid to questions of grammar which foreign learners often find so difficult, so Book One can also serve as a reference grammar. An Introduction to Modern Japanese uses both spoken and written forms from the outset. There are word lists for each lesson, and a comprehensive vocabulary for the whole course. Book One comprises fifty-two lessons which are accompanied by exercises and word lists in Book Two. The exercises ensure that the student has understood the grammar explained in the relevant lessons and give further practice in reading and recognizing characters.

Genres: Japanese Literature

504 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 1992

About the author

Richard John Bowring is an English academic and leading scholar in Japanese studies. He has served as Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Cambridge since 1985 and is an Honorary Fellow of Downing College. From 2000 to 2012, he was Master of Selwyn College, overseeing significant expansion, including the construction of Ann’s Court. Bowring studied Oriental Studies at Downing College, earning his BA in 1968 and completing his PhD in 1973. He has also held teaching positions at Princeton and Columbia. His publications span East Asian culture, politics, and history, with notable monographs and articles in major journals. In recognition of his contributions to Japanese studies and UK-Japan relations, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in 2013.

Reviews

[Liquidlasagna]

If you want a leisurely pace where you study grammar and then begin learning the characters, Jorden's 1963 Yale books are the way to go.

Bowring's book is meant for trying to compress everything into one year and getting people to master the grammar as well as Jorden, but getting you reading skills as soon as humanly possible.

So if you want an intense book with fast results
this might be the book for you

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I find that the explanations and book references to be marvellous, so for my money, i would get the first edition of the Jorden books (the two Orange and Black ones) and have Bowring as a backup, say when you're starting the third blue Jordan book.