作品Free Graded Reading
番町皿屋敷The Dish Mansion at Bancho
Bancho Sarayashiki
by 岡本 綺堂 · Okamoto Kido
One of Japan's most famous ghost stories: a maid's ghost counts plates each night.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnAt Sannō Shrine, a hatamoto Aoyama Harima and his retainers encounter townsmen who provoke a fight. The conflict is interrupted by the arrival of Harima's aunt, Lady Mayumi, who mediates and scolds Harima for his behavior.
At Harima's residence, retainer Jūdayū supervises the handling of precious Korean plates for a party. The attendant O-Kiku, troubled by rumors of Harima's marriage, deliberately breaks a plate to test his feelings. Harima confronts her but reveals his true love, and Jūdayū discovers the deception.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 幡隨院長兵衛 (ばんずいいんちょうべえ) | a famous kabuki character, a chivalrous townsman |
|---|---|
| 白柄組 (しらつかぐみ) | a group of hatamoto known for their white sword hilts |
| 町奴 (まちやっこ) | townsmen who acted as thugs or enforcers |
| 旗本 (はたもと) | a direct retainer of the shogun |
| 後室 (こうしつ) | a widow, especially of a high-ranking samurai |
| 腰元 (こしもと) | a female attendant in a samurai household |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～たる N1Archaic form of ～ている/～である, used for formal or classical register.武士たるものが町奴とかの真似をして、
- ～ごとき N1Archaic form meaning 'like, such as', often derogatory.素町人の分際で、歴々の御旗本衆に楯突かうとは、
- ～ず N3Classical negative form of ～ない.武士たるものが町奴とかの真似をして、白柄組の神祇組のと、名を聞くさへも苦々しい。
- ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regret.大切なお道具を、むざ〳〵毀すは勿体ない。
- ～かもしれない N4Expresses possibility 'might, may'.小石川の伯母様の御媒介で、飯田町の大久保様とやらから奥様をお迎へなさる、内相談があるとやら。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 白柄組 (Shirotsuka-gumi)A group of hatamoto (direct retainers of the shogun) in Edo period who wore white sword hilts. They were known for their swagger and confrontations with townsmen.
- 町奴 (Machiyakko)Townsmen who acted as chivalrous thugs, often opposing the samurai class. They were popular in kabuki plays.
- 山王祭 (Sannō Matsuri)A famous festival at Hie Shrine in Edo, known for its elaborate floats.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhere does the first scene take place?
- At Aoyama's residence
- At Sannō Shrine
- At a tea house
- On the street near Kōjimachi
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the historical context and honorifics to understand social hierarchy.
Read a sample in Japanese
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