Conversation 22
Conversation and Level 5
Today, I will cover a little complicated conversation from what we have learned so far.
Kobayashi : Mō kabuki o mimashita ka?
Kobayashi : Have you seen Kabuki before?
Tony : Iie, mada mita koto ga arimasen. Demo zehi mitemitai to omotte iru desu ga. Kabuki to iu no wa, itsu goro hajimatta desu ka?
Tony : No, still have not seen yet. But I will certainly watch it one day. When did Kabuki started?
Kobayashi : Nihon no edojidai desu. 1,600 nen goro deshō ne.
Kobayashi : During Japan Edo period. Around year 1,600.
Tony : Mae ni, kabuki ni tsuite kaite aru hon o chotto yonde mita desu ga, yakusha wa otoko no hito dake da sō desu ne.
Tony : Previously, I have read a book about Kabuki. It seems like only male can perform.
Kobayashi : Ee, sō desu ne. Kabuki ga hajimatta koro wa, onna no yakusha mo ita desu ga, ima wa otoko no hito dake ni narimashita. Desukara, onnayaku no hito o “Oyama“, otokoyaku no hito o “Tachiyaku” tte iu desu yo.
Kobayashi : Yeah, that’s right. when Kabuki started, there was female performer but now only male can perform. Therefore female performers are called “Oyama” and Male performers are called “Tachiyaku”.
Tony : Sō ieba, “Tachiyakusha” tte iu kotoba o kiita koto ga arimasu ga. Sore de, otoko no hito nara dare demo yakusha ni nareru desu ka?
Tony : As you said, I have heard about “Tachiyakusha” before. So, as long as they are male, anyone can become a performer?
Kobayashi : Iie, Iie. Yakusha no ie no kodomo shika naremasen.
Kobayashi : No, No. Only the performers’ son can perform.
Tony : Jaa, otoko no hito ga inakattara, dō shimasu ka?
Tony : So, how if they have no son?
Kobayashi : Yōshi o morau to iu hōhō mo arimasu.
Kobayashi : Adopting a son is one of the method.
Tony: Nihon no dentō bunka o mamoru to iu koto wa, taihen na koto nan desu ne. Kiite mite tame ni narimashita.
Tony : it’s not easy to keep these Japan traditional culture. It is great to know about this.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Haha! I love this blog! I’ve actually learned a few senteces thanks to you! awesome man. I’ll keep on reading your blogs! keep it up! love it!
August 13th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi
It was great to know your site , till level 4 it was like revising my knowledge however level 5 is like enhancing vocab.
Great work , please tell in case you need any support.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Thank you Minie. I sincerely glad that you like this site.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Hi
I’m learning English.
Can I introduce your site into my site?
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi Takeshi,
Sure. i am more than happy that you recommend my site to others.
Thanks
November 25th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Wow, this is a great blog. I often find that there are oodles and oodles of resources available for beginning Japanese studyers, and a comparatively small amount of quality intermediate / advanced conversational resources, like this site. I much appreciate the subtle nuances that are so seldom covered, like ‘soo ieba’, as well as complex conversation structures. Arigatou gozaimasu!
November 25th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Hi Aaron,
Thanks. Glad you like this site.
October 17th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Great work sir!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Hi, I would like to know what is the meaning of
‘Zehi asobi ni kite kudasai.’
April 17th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Zehi = Certainly (without fail)
Zehi asobi ni kite kudasai = Please (without fail) come to visit (me)
April 17th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
But I thought ‘asobi’ stands for play?
April 17th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Yes, but in Japanese, it’s not really play.
For example: Amerika e asobi ni ikimasu – cannot be translated as I go and play in America. It should be I go and visit America.
June 22nd, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Hey Thomas, how should I reply if people ask me ‘why are you going?’ and I wanna reply ‘I am going to have my lunch.’. I doubt I can say ‘Hiru gohan o taberu’? How about this, ‘Hiru gohan o tabete ni iku’?
April 25th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
i’m really looking forward to speak in Japanese. Love this site!!!