だだら団兵衛Dadara Danbei

What you'll learn

Danbei encounters a bandit group led by Daijagatake Yaemon on Suzuka Pass. He negotiates to borrow his own clothes and returns later to honor his promise, stripping naked. The bandit is so moved he decides to reform.

Danbei's story spreads, and he is questioned by his lord Takatora and guest Ikeda Mitsumasa. He explains his actions. Mitsumasa, impressed, arranges a fight between Danbei and a strongman named Hatakeyama Shodayu to test his skill, resulting in Hatakeyama's death.

Danbei moves to Tottori with Mitsumasa, but delays his execution repeatedly. Mitsumasa transfers to Okayama and offers Danbei a 200-koku stipend, which Danbei refuses. Nanbu Hachirōta taunts Danbei into accepting, and Danbei finally agrees to serve.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～ぬ N1Classical negative ending, equivalent to modern ～ない
  見た目に似合わぬ侍の素直さ
• ～ざる N1Classical attributive negative form, often used in fixed phrases
  無手丸腰、はじめより尋常の立合でないことは知れていたのだ
• ～ける N1Old causative auxiliary 'to make/let do'
  是非に団兵衛を申受けたいがいかが？

Cultural notes

• Samurai Honor and the Code of BushidoDanbei's insistence on returning the borrowed clothes and swords, even to a bandit, exemplifies the samurai's commitment to keeping one's word, a core tenet of bushido.
• Stuttering as a Character TraitDanbei's stutter (dandara) is a notable characteristic, used both for humor and as a weakness that others exploit, reflecting Edo-period storytelling tropes.

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Topics

Short Storyhistoricalconfrontationhonorsuspensefuldarkaozora bunko