What JLPT level is 阿芳の怨霊?

阿芳の怨霊 is suitable for JLPT N1 level readers (estimated JLPT N1).

How long does 阿芳の怨霊 take to read?

阿芳の怨霊 takes about 19 minutes (around 1532 words) to read at a learner's pace.

作品さくひんFree Graded Reading

阿芳の怨霊Aho's Vengeful Spirit

Aho no Onryō

by 田中貢太郎 · Tanaka Kōtarō

JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready

A man survives a double suicide, only to be haunted by his lover's vengeful ghost.

About this story

A man survives a double suicide and flees, but is haunted by his lover's vengeful spirit.

Read a sample in Japanese

由平は我にかえってからしまったと思った。由平は怯れた自分の心を叱って、再び身を躍らそうとした。と、その時背後の方から数人の話声が聞こえて来た。由平は無意識に林の中へ身を隠した。間もなく由平の前に三人の人影が現われた。それは宇津江帰りらしい村の壮佼であった。壮佼たちは何か面白そうに話しながら通りすぎた。由平はほっとした。そこは愛知県渥美郡泉村江此間の海岸であった。由平はその村の油屋九平の娘の阿芳と心中を企てたのであったが、泳ぎを知っていたので夢中で泳いだものらしく、我にかえった時には、自分一人だけが波打際に身を横たえていた。由平は阿芳だけ殺してはすまないと思って、三度海の方へ歩いて行ったが、黝ずんだ海の色を見ると急に怖気がついた。由平はじっとしていられないので村の方へ向って走った。翌朝阿芳の死体は漁師の手で拾いあげられた。

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What you'll learn

Yoshihei survives a double suicide with Ayako and is haunted by her ghost. He flees to an inn, where the ghost appears, causing him to attack and kill the innkeeper and a maid. Years later, his niece experiences ghostly visits that stop after a Buddhist service. The cursed site remains untouched.

Language difficultyAdvanced · 85/100

Key vocabulary

我にかえる (われにかえる)	to come to oneself, regain consciousness
心中 (しんじゅう)	double suicide (often lovers)
壮佼 (そうこう)	strong young man
鬼魅が悪い (きみがわるい)	to feel eerie, creeped out
怨霊 (おんりょう)	vengeful spirit

Grammar points you'll meet

～てはすまない N1Should not end with; indicates that something is not permissible or appropriate to leave as is.
由平は阿芳だけ殺してはすまないと思って、
～ものの N3Although; indicates contrast between expectation and reality.
泳ぎを知っていたので夢中で泳いだものらしく、
～とたん N3As soon as; indicates that something happens immediately after another action.
椀の蓋を取ろうとしたところで、別な蒼い手がすうっと来て由平の手を押えた。
～せいで N3Because of; indicates a negative reason or cause.
泳ぎを知っていたので夢中で泳いだものらしく、
～ように N4Like, as if; indicates similarity or manner.
何か面白そうに話しながら通りすぎた。

Cultural notes

Double Suicide (心中 - shinjū)A romanticized but tragic act of lovers dying together, often found in Japanese literature and theater. It was historically seen as a way to escape societal constraints, but also carried moral and legal consequences.
Vengeful Spirits (怨霊 - onryō)In Japanese folklore, spirits that died with strong emotions (especially anger or grief) seek revenge on the living. This concept is central to many ghost stories and often involves rituals to appease them.
Buddhist Memorial Services (お経をあげる - okyō o ageru)In Japanese Buddhism, reciting sutras for the deceased is believed to help calm their spirit and guide them to peace. It is commonly performed to stop hauntings or bring closure.

Try a comprehension question

What happens when Yoshihei first sees Ayako's ghost at the inn?

He calmly talks to her.
He throws dishes at her and screams.
He runs out of the inn immediately.
He offers her food and drink.

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Sensei's reading tip

Pay attention to the shift in perspective and time. The story covers multiple periods: the double suicide attempt, the inn incident, and the later niece episode.