First Volume
noun
The above scroll is the top scroll, the one you read first. It's the first volume. Many Japanese books come in parts, so look for this if you want to get the first one.
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.
肩のこらない小説だったので、上巻は三十分で読めた。
Since it was a light novel, I was able to finish the first volume in thirty minutes.
上巻には、型にはまったような事ばかりが書かれていたよ。
The first volume was full of stereotyped expressions.
上巻の終わりは、すごく続きが気になる感じで終わった。
The ending of the first volume was a real cliffhanger.