No Grammar Knowledge Needed! Chinese Poetry is This Interesting! Learn How Adults Can Appreciate Chinese Poetry with Noboru Yasuda in 'Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing'
NHK Publishing is releasing a new book, 'Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing,' on April 23, 2026, from its popular 'Manabi no Kihon' series, which has sold over 800,000 copies. Written by Noh actor Noboru Yasuda, this book introduces the charm of Chinese poetry that adults can enjoy without needing grammar knowledge, featuring works by poets like Du Fu, Wang Wei, Li Bai, and Bai Juyi.
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The 'NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon' series has become popular as an 'entrance to culture that can be read in 2 hours,' with cumulative sales exceeding 800,000 copies. Its latest release is 'NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing' (to be released on April 23, 2026), which introduces how adults can appreciate Chinese poetry and its works.
Chinese poetry is a literary art form whose rich world many wish to explore, yet most people have remained intimidated by it since school. However, to simply enjoy the content of the works, there's no need to know intricate details like 're-ten' (reading marks)! This book guides beginners through the appeal of Chinese poetry, which can be fully appreciated even without prior knowledge, by featuring the three most famous Chinese poets—Du Fu, Wang Wei, and Li Bai—as well as Bai Juyi, who is deeply popular in Japan, and other lesser-known masterpieces. Simultaneously, it introduces works that resonate deeply with adults who have accumulated life experience, such as 'Heaven has given me talent, it must be for a purpose' and 'Neither wind nor rain, neither clear nor cloudy.' The end of the book includes a book guide for those who wish to delve deeper into Chinese poetry.
Guiding you to the charm of Chinese poetry that can be enjoyed without difficult knowledge!
──'Chinese poetry seems difficult,' 'I learned it in school but forgot it,' 'My only memory of grammar marks like re-ten is struggling with exams.' Such voices are likely to be heard. But that would be a great pity. Because Chinese poetry is literature that can truly be appreciated once you become an adult.
(From the 'Introduction' of this book)
'NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing' Structure
Introduction
Chapter 1: What exactly is Chinese poetry?
Chapter 2: The Three Great Poets: Du Fu
Chapter 3: The Three Great Poets: Wang Wei
Chapter 4: The Three Great Poets: Li Bai
Chapter 5: The Poet Most Loved by Japanese People: Bai Juyi
Chapter 6: Appreciating later Chinese poetry
Book Guide
Author
Noboru Yasuda
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1956. A Noh actor of the Shimogakari Hōshō school. Deeply moved by the chanting of the leading waki actor Mineo Kaburaki, he became his disciple at age 27. Currently, as a waki Noh actor, he is active both domestically and internationally, creating, directing, and performing works using Noh methods. He also works on re-interpreting the 'physicality' of Japanese and Chinese classics. His numerous books include 'Noh: What is the Mechanism That Lasted 650 Years?' (Shincho Shinsho), 'Amazing Analects,' 'The Power of Awa' (Mishima-sha), 'The Japanese Body' (Chikuma Shinsho), 'Journey to Find the Invisible: Travel, Noh, and Classics' (Akishobo), 'Separate Volume NHK 100-Minute Lecture: The Tale of the Heike,' 'Separate Volume NHK 100-Minute Lecture: Taiheiki,' 'Useful Classics,' and 'Usable Confucianism' (NHK Publishing).
Product Information
Title: NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing
Author: Noboru Yasuda
Publisher: NHK Publishing
Release Date: April 23, 2026
Price: 858 yen (tax included)
Format: A5 size, softcover
Pages: 112 pages
ISBN: 978-4-14-407345-8
NHK Publishing EC Site: https://www.nhk-book.co.jp/detail/000064073452026.html
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4144073459
Click here for the 'NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon' series!
Chinese poetry is a literary art form whose rich world many wish to explore, yet most people have remained intimidated by it since school. However, to simply enjoy the content of the works, there's no need to know intricate details like 're-ten' (reading marks)! This book guides beginners through the appeal of Chinese poetry, which can be fully appreciated even without prior knowledge, by featuring the three most famous Chinese poets—Du Fu, Wang Wei, and Li Bai—as well as Bai Juyi, who is deeply popular in Japan, and other lesser-known masterpieces. Simultaneously, it introduces works that resonate deeply with adults who have accumulated life experience, such as 'Heaven has given me talent, it must be for a purpose' and 'Neither wind nor rain, neither clear nor cloudy.' The end of the book includes a book guide for those who wish to delve deeper into Chinese poetry.
Guiding you to the charm of Chinese poetry that can be enjoyed without difficult knowledge!
──'Chinese poetry seems difficult,' 'I learned it in school but forgot it,' 'My only memory of grammar marks like re-ten is struggling with exams.' Such voices are likely to be heard. But that would be a great pity. Because Chinese poetry is literature that can truly be appreciated once you become an adult.
(From the 'Introduction' of this book)
'NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing' Structure
Introduction
Chapter 1: What exactly is Chinese poetry?
Chapter 2: The Three Great Poets: Du Fu
Chapter 3: The Three Great Poets: Wang Wei
Chapter 4: The Three Great Poets: Li Bai
Chapter 5: The Poet Most Loved by Japanese People: Bai Juyi
Chapter 6: Appreciating later Chinese poetry
Book Guide
Author
Noboru Yasuda
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1956. A Noh actor of the Shimogakari Hōshō school. Deeply moved by the chanting of the leading waki actor Mineo Kaburaki, he became his disciple at age 27. Currently, as a waki Noh actor, he is active both domestically and internationally, creating, directing, and performing works using Noh methods. He also works on re-interpreting the 'physicality' of Japanese and Chinese classics. His numerous books include 'Noh: What is the Mechanism That Lasted 650 Years?' (Shincho Shinsho), 'Amazing Analects,' 'The Power of Awa' (Mishima-sha), 'The Japanese Body' (Chikuma Shinsho), 'Journey to Find the Invisible: Travel, Noh, and Classics' (Akishobo), 'Separate Volume NHK 100-Minute Lecture: The Tale of the Heike,' 'Separate Volume NHK 100-Minute Lecture: Taiheiki,' 'Useful Classics,' and 'Usable Confucianism' (NHK Publishing).
Product Information
Title: NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon: Chinese Poetry You Can Enjoy Even Without Knowing
Author: Noboru Yasuda
Publisher: NHK Publishing
Release Date: April 23, 2026
Price: 858 yen (tax included)
Format: A5 size, softcover
Pages: 112 pages
ISBN: 978-4-14-407345-8
NHK Publishing EC Site: https://www.nhk-book.co.jp/detail/000064073452026.html
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4144073459
Click here for the 'NHK Publishing Manabi no Kihon' series!