How to do Tadoku
There are four important rules to follow in tadoku.
Four Golden Rules
1. Start from scratch.
Read easy books you can enjoy without translating. That way, you will understand better and so you will read more.
2. Don’t use your dictionary
Don’t use your dictionary when you come across words you don’t know. Guess the meaning from the pictures and/or the story.
3. Skip over difficult words, phrases and passages.
If guessing doesn’t work, skip over that word, phrase or passage and go on reading. You can often enjoy the book without understanding every small detail.
4. When the going gets tough, quit the book and pick up another.
The going gets tough when the book is not suitable for your level or your interest. Simply throw the book away and start reading something else.
It will be easy for you to follow the four rules above, if you start with Japanese graded readers — Nihongo Yomu Yomu Bunko — published by ASK, Nihongo Tadoku Books by Taishukan and Tadoku Bunko published by the Tadoku Supporters. The reading of Kanji, or furigana, is shown alongside each Kanji.
Nihongo Yomu Yomu Bunko by ASK
Nihongo Tadoku Books by Taishukan
Japanese Graded Readers by White Rabbit Press
Books for tadoku (website only in Japanese)
