Makoto #89

Makoto Japanese Language & Culture Magazine Issue 89
Fun, culturally rich reading and listening practice for learners of Japanese

Makoto is a monthly digital magazine for beginner to lower-intermediate learners of Japanese. Each issue is packed with short articles, stories, jokes, cultural notes, and audio read by a native speaker. Designed to make learning Japanese fun and engaging, Makoto helps build your vocabulary, grammar, and reading skills through real-world context and quirky humor.

In this issue (July 2025, Issue 89):

This month's theme is "Summer in Japan"—and it's sizzling! From wild Edo-period slang to the drama of Japan's hottest historical publisher, this issue dives deep into the cultural and literal heat of summer. You'll meet a Kenshiro-quoting bento clerk, learn about an outrageously hot NHK Taiga drama, and pick up phrases that are as sharp as the sun is brutal.

Highlights include:

•Vocabulary Spotlight: 痛くも痒くもない (I couldn't care less; it doesn't bother me)
•Onomatopoeia: expressions of oppressive summer heat
•Etymology Deep Dive: べらぼう— from reckless brat to "off-the-charts" emphasis
•Grammar Focus: ～なくてもいい (how to politely say "you don't have to…")
•Beginner Story: A sticky, sweaty summer tale
•Intermediate Reading: A look at the early postwar Shōwa era
•Haiku by Masaoka Shiki
•Kanji Spotlight: 天 (heaven; sky)
•Prefecture Spotlight: Kyoto (where summer is steeped in sweat and tradition)
•Anime Quote: From Sakamoto Days: "And then… Sakamoto got fat."

Includes:

•71 Page PDF and ePub formats
•26 MP3 audio files (normal and slow speed)
•Free Anki flashcard deck for the main story vocabulary
•Scan-and-listen QR codes for quick mobile audio access

Perfect for learners who enjoy Japanese culture and want real content that's both educational and entertaining. Use it to boost your vocabulary, improve your listening, and deepen your cultural understanding—all while having fun.