怪しの者The Mysterious One

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

A beggar named Gon recounts a story from 1710: he witnesses a suspicious man by the Shonai River and later sees a lord's procession. The lord's retainer tries to capture the man, who escapes into the river. Three days later, Gon encounters the same man at a carpenter's house, where the man faints and is taken in by the carpenter's daughter and maid. Later, Gon taunts the retainer Saijo and reveals himself as a spy. The plot involves a planned elopement and a conspiracy at a haunted mansion.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～たっけ N3Sentence-ending particle for recollection or confirmation, often used when remembering something.
  鳶が舞っておりましたっけ。
• ～ではありませんか N4Rhetorical question pattern meaning 'isn't it?', often used to express surprise or emphasis.
  佇んでいるではありませんか。
• ～てやる N4Expresses doing something for someone (often with a sense of giving or doing to someone else, can be condescending or rough).
  調べてやる
• ～めがけて N2Aiming at, targeting.
  お斬りつけなさいました。
• ～ては N3Conditional 'if' or repeated action, sometimes used to indicate a state.
  流れ屑が自然に沈む淵があったり、化け物屋敷があったりして、この界隈は物騒だよ

Cultural notes

• 尾張藩と徳川宗春The story is set in the Owari domain, one of the three major Tokugawa branch families. Tokugawa Muneharu (referred to as Nagon-sama) was a former lord who retired and became a monk, but remained influential. He is a historical figure known for his lavish lifestyle and cultural patronage.
• 化け物屋敷 (Haunted Mansion)The 'monster mansion' is a common trope in Japanese folklore where a building is rumored to be haunted. Here, it is used as a cover for secret activities. The story mentions that the ghost of a former retainer appears at the villa.
• 江戸時代の隠密 (Edo Period Spies)Spies (onmitsu) were employed by shogunate and domains to gather intelligence. The protagonist is such a spy, disguising as a beggar. This reflects the covert operations of the time.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storyhistoricalghost storymysterysupernaturaleeriemysterious〜てやるdo for (blunt benefactive)