KOTODAMA（言霊）― Learn Japanese through story and song

KOTODAMA is a Japanese-learning album built around the textbook Minna no Nihongo. Twelve songs follow the textbook's grammar sequence while telling one continuous story, so vocabulary and grammar arrive inside scenes rather than as a list.

How the album is organised

Each track corresponds to a stretch of lessons. The characters use the grammar of that lesson in a situation where it would naturally come up — greeting a stranger, asking where something is, explaining what happened yesterday. Hearing the pattern sung and then reading it in context gives two routes into memory.

What is published today

Every track of Disc 1 (Minna no Nihongo Book 1, Lessons 1–25) and Disc 2 (Book 2, Lessons 26–50) has its own page with Japanese lyrics, romaji, an English translation, vocabulary, grammar notes and a textbook cross-reference — twelve songs plus the two-part Sentanbun chant per disc. Track 01 is also available in nine languages. Audio is released track by track: Track 01 is out in full, and the others appear on the disc pages as they are mastered. The sister album WORD WORLD does the same for English learners using Japanese junior-high textbooks.

How KuraLab makes it

The story, lyrics and notes are written and edited by KuraLab. Generative AI is used as a drafting aid for melodies and phrasing; what is kept, corrected and published is decided by a person, and every grammar note is checked against the textbook. Nothing you do on this page is sent to a server.

FAQ

Which level is this for?

Beginners. The sequence follows Minna no Nihongo Book 1, so it suits learners preparing for JLPT N5–N4 or in their first year of study.

Can I use the songs in a classroom?

Yes, for teaching and personal study. Please link to this page rather than re-uploading the audio, and see the Terms of Service for details.

Is romaji always shown?

Yes, alongside kana and kanji. If you can already read kana, try hiding the romaji line and reading the Japanese first.

See also

音楽配信

Disc 1（初級I）の14曲は、2026年9月14日から、Spotify・Apple Music をはじめとする主要な音楽配信サービスで配信しています。アーティスト名「教科書レコード」、アルバム「KOTODAMA（言霊）初級1」。好きなサブスクで聴く。歌詞・ローマ字・英訳・文法の解説は、このサイトの各曲のページで読めます。

ディスク別の入口

Disc 1 ― 初級I（第1〜25課）・12曲＋千単文

  1. はじめまして ― Hajimemashite
  2. これは なんですか ― Kore wa Nan desu ka
  3. じかんが うごく ― Jikan ga Ugoku
  4. いただきます ― Itadakimasu
  5. すきです ― Suki desu
  6. ねこが います ― Neko ga Imasu
  7. ほしい、ほしい ― Hoshii, Hoshii
  8. つないで ― Tsunaide
  9. だいじょうぶ ― Daijobu
  10. できること ― Dekiru Koto
  11. ふつうの よる ― Futsu no Yoru
  12. もし また あえたら ― Moshi Mata Aetara
  13. 千単文 〜上〜 ― Sentanbun - Jo (Part 1)
  14. 千単文 〜下〜 ― Sentanbun - Ge (Part 2)
  15. はじめまして（9言語版）

Disc 2 ― 初級II（第26〜50課）・12曲＋千単文II

  1. ふじさんが みえる ― Fujisan ga Mieru
  2. こわれて しまった ― Kowarete Shimatta
  3. はるまでに ― Haru made ni
  4. するな、しろ ― Suru na, Shiro
  5. せつめいしょの とおりに ― Setsumeisho no Toori ni
  6. ほめられて、しかられて ― Homerarete, Shikararete
  7. じしんの よる ― Jishin no Yoru
  8. きいて みます ― Kiite Mimasu
  9. あうために ― Au Tame ni
  10. まったのに ― Matta noni
  11. くるはずの ひと ― Kuru Hazu no Hito
  12. アキと もうします ― Aki to Moushimasu
  13. 千単文Ⅱ 〜上〜 ― Sentanbun II - Jo (Part 1)
  14. 千単文Ⅱ 〜下〜 ― Sentanbun II - Ge (Part 2)