Takashi Saito's Elementary School Japanese Language Textbook: All Grades - Definitive Edition

◎Continuously reprinted, exceeding 25,000 copies!! ◎"This is a truly fascinating book. Although it's advertised for elementary school students, adults will find themselves engrossed in it too." - Author Mariko Hayashi (Weekly Asahi, July 15, 2022 issue) A huge hit in the media, including Nippon Television's "Bagutte," Josei Jishin, and Yukan Fuji!! ◎A Japanese language textbook presented to all citizens by Professor Takashi Saito ◎A permanent keepsake that will captivate both adults and children

To help children acquire Japanese language skills that will be a lifelong treasure, and to cultivate their intelligence.

That is the greatest gift we can give to the next generation.

With this belief in mind, Professor Takashi Saito created this "ideal elementary school Japanese language textbook" over a year and a half, pouring his heart and soul into it.

Those who pick it up may be surprised by its thickness of 544 pages and wonder if it might be too difficult for children.

However, textbooks, created with the adult consideration of making them easy for children, have reduced the amount of rigorous reading material such as classical literature. This has led to a decline in intellectual sophistication, and consequently, a steady decline in children's Japanese language skills.

In the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Japan's reading comprehension ranking, once among the world's best, has plummeted to a record low of 15th place.

Amidst this,

"Shouldn't we believe more in the potential of children?"

Following Professor Saito's belief and

"The most effective way to improve Japanese language skills is to become familiar with great literary works,"

this book includes:

* Masterpieces by literary giants such as Natsume Soseki, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Goethe, and Shakespeare

* Classical Japanese works such as "The Tale of Genji" and "Essays in Idleness"

* Poems by Miyazawa Kenji and Kaneko Misuzu

* Letters written by Sakamoto Ryoma to his sister

* Malala Yousafzai's speech at the United Nations Headquarters

* Kuniko Mukoda's famous essay "A Postcard Without Words"

* Lyrics of contemporary hit songs by artists such as Matsutoya Yumi, Miyamoto Hiroji, and Yonezu Kenshi

...and many more, a total of 138 pieces.

Each piece was carefully selected by Professor Saito himself as the best work for improving Japanese language skills, and is included in its entirety.

In particular, Professor Saito's unique approach of presenting the following works, all centered around the theme of "lemon," in chronological order:

* Motojiro Kajii's novel "Lemon"

* Kotaro Takamura's poem "Lemon Elegy"

* Masashi Sada's song "Lemon"

* Kenshi Yonezu's song "Lemon"

is truly characteristic of Professor Saito.

Furthermore, by adding furigana (pronunciation guides) to all kanji characters, the textbook helps to cultivate vocabulary, kanji, and writing skills. Additionally, Professor Saito includes questions and detailed explanations of key points for each work, fostering critical thinking and reading comprehension.

The experience of reading this thick, challenging textbook, exceeding 540 pages, over the course of six years of elementary school will undoubtedly build confidence and support for their future lives.

This is the perfect gift for children.

Furthermore, this book is not just for elementary school students; It is filled with beautifully written passages that will deeply move even adults.

We hope that you will experience the same exhilarating feeling of entering elementary school once again.

With that passionate desire in mind, we present this Japanese language textbook to all citizens.