A 63-year-old rose artisan with a maidenly taste provides an excellent example of how to communicate effectively with the younger generation in Japanese.
三國さんのバラ園
In this blog, we present manga that are not only highly captivating but also ideal for Japanese language learners. Studying Japanese through manga is both fun and effective. Manga allows you to understand the subtleties of keigo (honorifics), teineigo (polite speech), and casual conversation in Japanese.
Today's featured manga
Story overview
Genichiro Mikuni, 63 years old, has been running the family rose farm for 45 years. Diligently cultivating roses, people refer to him as a "craftsman." However, despite his imposing and dignified appearance, his tastes and interests are more maidenly than anyone else's. For a long time, Mikuni's own self-image has kept his desires in check, but when a high school girl came to interview for a part-time job, that restraint began to falter...!?
Why this manga is suitable for learning Japanese
This manga, which comically depicts the interactions between characters of different generations working in a rose garden, is suitable for Japanese language learners for the following reasons.
An example of conversation with younger generations
The protagonist, Mikuni, is 63 years old, while Hina, who works part-time at the rose garden, is a high school student, and Ryota is a university student. Mikuni, although he does not use honorific language with the younger generation, always interacts with them in a calm and gentlemanly manner. This provides a good example of how older people can communicate with much younger generations.
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Mikunisan no Baraen / Sawaeda Suppoko / KODANSHA
Learn honorific expressions simultaneously
Hina and Ryota use honorific language when speaking to their employer, Mikuni. Therefore, this work allows learners to study both casual speech and honorific expressions simultaneously. Hina uses standard honorific language, while Ryota uses a slightly more casual form, showcasing two different nuances of honorific speech.
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Mikunisan no Baraen / Sawaeda Suppoko / KODANSHA
Some points to note
Relatively difficult kanji appear
Relatively difficult kanji appear, such as "三國" for Mikuni's name and "小鳥遊" for Hina's surname, Takanashi, which can be challenging for beginners learning Japanese. However, furigana (phonetic guides) are provided the first time these difficult kanji appear in each chapter, so it is not a major issue.
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Mikunisan no Baraen / Sawaeda Suppoko / KODANSHA
The protagonist is a man with a maidenly taste
The protagonist, Mikuni, is a man who loves sweets and cute characters. The appeal of this story lies in the gap between his tough appearance and his maidenly inner self, as well as the plot developments arising from him hiding this side of himself from others. However, readers who cannot appreciate this setup might not find the story interesting.
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Mikunisan no Baraen / Sawaeda Suppoko / KODANSHA
Data
* Title : Mikunisan no Baraen (三國さんのバラ園)
* Author : Sawaeda Suppoko
* Publisher :KODANSHA
* Latest volume : Vol.1
（Nov.2023 / Ongoing）
* Text volume : moderate
* Challenge level : ★★
Tips for procuring works
Why BOOK☆WALKER is the go-to for enjoying manga in Japanese - Oshikuda
In this article, you'll find insights on how to get your hands on your favorite Japanese manga titles...
