Unpacking Japanese Words — Exploring Japanese word origins for learners of Japanese

Volume 1: Reading Mackerel and Other Curious Japanese Sayings
By Clay & Yumi Boutwell

“Wait—did you say reading mackerel?!” Yup. Welcome to the wild world of Japanese word origins.

Each entry begins with the most likely etymology in Japanese, followed by the English explanation and a complete vocabulary breakdown. While the etymology is fun and fascinating, the heart of this book is to give you more practice reading real Japanese. Use the vocabulary notes to work through the Japanese text before peeking at the English.
So, let’s dive into the weird and wonderful world of Japanese—one word or phrase at a time. Buckle up! Whether you’re a word nerd, a curious beginner, or just someone who enjoys shouting moshi moshi into the void, there’s something here for you.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:

Dozens of everyday (and not-so-everyday) Japanese idioms, sayings, and words

Cultural and historical backstories that make each phrase stick in your brain

Line-by-line vocabulary breakdowns with grammar and context notes

Example sentences for real-world usage

Audio recordings of all Japanese content—perfect for shadowing and listening practice

💡 Great For:

Learners who love language with personality

Curious beginners through intermediate students

Fans of etymology, history, and word nerdiness

Teachers looking for bite-sized lesson content

Anyone who’s ever yelled “もしもし” into the void

Ready? Let’s get started!

Foreign Language Study