中国怪奇小説集Collection of Chinese Strange Tales

What you'll learn

A sixth man introduces the collection, explaining the historical context of the Five Dynasties and the author Du Guangting's work 'Record of Strange Things'.

Describes various strange snakes, including the '板鼻' snake that bites people and drinks their blood, a giant procession of snakes that foretells military defeat, and other deadly snakes like the 雞冠蛇, 爆身蛇, and 黄願蛇.

An old man presents Li Deyu with a mulberry tree that contains a hidden treasure. A craftsman carves it into two pipa backs, revealing a naturally formed white dove, but one dove is missing a wing due to a mistake.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～といえども N1Even though; even if. Used to indicate concession.
  五代乱離といえどもみな国史あり
• ～ごとき N1Like; such as. Similar to ～のような.
  その大きいのは甕のごとく
• ～たる N1Being; as a. Used to describe a person's role/status.
  ただ、職人が少しの手あやまちで
• ～が最後 N1Once something happens, (it's all over). Indicates a decisive point.
  この蛇を食って獄中で自滅するように計ったのである。
• ～かも知れない N4Might be; maybe. Expresses possibility.
  あるいはもうこの世にいないかも知れません。

Cultural notes

• Chinese Historical BackgroundThe text references historical periods like the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (五代十国) and figures such as Du Guangting (杜光庭), a Daoist scholar. Understanding this context enriches the reading.
• Classical Chinese Beliefs about SnakesThe text describes snakes with magical properties, reflecting ancient Chinese beliefs in supernatural animals and their omens.
• Time Periods (辰, 酉)The use of 辰 (7-9 AM) and 酉 (5-7 PM) are part of the traditional Chinese 12-hour system (十二支).

Try a comprehension question

Read a sample in Japanese

Topics

Short Storyghost storyhistorysupernaturalphilosophicalaozora bunko