Learning language through media....

Recently I have been choosing to watch movies and television shows that are in Japanese, with subtitles to help me along. I'm amazed at how coherent the conversations sound compared to the sounds I heard before I began studying. What's more, I think that immersing myself in the language for an hour or so each day has allowed me to internalize the more subtle aspects of language, such as pace, tone, and pronunciation.
One film that I would recommend if one wanted to try something similar would be "Ugetsu". It is based on an old folk tale where a man is taken in by Inari (demon-like creatures), and tricked to live in a mansion that is no more than a patch of bushes. The movie is suspenseful, and rich with fascinating Japanese culture.

Enjoy!
サよなら！

This time, in English!

I chose to study Japanese because I am studying Japanese Religions, and would be quite inefficient as a scholar in another culture's religions without knowing their language. I am excited about gaining a mastery of the Japanese language because it will allow me to be able to read primary religious sources such as the "Nihongi", "Kojiki", and "Engishiki" in its original format. This will grant me a much more in depth and subtle understanding of the religions which I seek to understand.
So far, there have been no frustrations in my Japanese education. The only minor setbacks have been learning to keep up with Eguchi Sensei's fast pace, which is a blessing as much as it is a curse, as it keeps me engaged and focused.

こんにちは！

わたしは”Captain Zen" or Brian Burgessです。わたしはがくしゅにほんご、いちねんせい
。Shelby, North Carolina からきました。どうぞよろしく！