This audiobook brings you two of Japan's most beloved folktales. The first is The Mouse Bride: a proud mouse couple are determined to marry their beautiful daughter to the greatest one in all the world. Their search takes them to the sun, the clouds, the wind and beyond, with a gently surprising lesson waiting at the end.

The second is Ikkyū-san, a story from the childhood of one of Japan's cleverest heroes: a quick-witted young monk whose wisdom is put to the test by the shogun himself, in a battle of wits over a tiger that simply will not stay in its picture.

Each story is taught in seven passes, so your understanding builds one layer at a time:

Story introduction: a short English preview so you know where you're headed

Vocabulary: key words in Japanese, then English, with room to repeat after a native speaker

Slow speed: the full story read slowly and clearly

Line-by-line: each sentence broken into short phrases with English meanings, then rebuilt

Normal speed: the story at natural pace, to hear how much more you catch now

Comprehension questions: answer out loud, then hear a model answer

English version: the whole story in English to confirm you understood it

Japanese narration by native speaker Yumi Boutwell, with English explanations by Clay Boutwell. Learn Japanese with Stories has been helping people learn Japanese since 2002.

No textbook needed and no pages to turn: press play in the car or on a walk and let the repetition do the work. For upper beginners (JLPT N5 to N4) ready to move past word lists into real Japanese.

This 2026 edition replaces the original recording, adding vocabulary drills and comprehension questions.

Clay & Yumi Boutwell