作品Free Graded Reading
夫人利生記Record of the Lady's Salvation
Fujin Rishōki
by 泉 鏡花 · Izumi Kyōka
JLPT N1Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready
A ghostly lady's tale of salvation and mystery.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnKijima visits a rural temple, sees a beautiful woman washing clothes, and later discovers her photograph among votive offerings at the Maya temple. He experiences a supernatural encounter and rushes back.
Language difficultyExpert · 95/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 釣鐘 (つりがね) | hanging bell; temple bell |
|---|---|
| 清水 (しみず) | clear water; spring |
| 摩耶夫人 (まやぶにん) | Lady Maya (mother of Buddha) |
| 金剛神 (こんごうしん) | Vajra deities; temple guardians |
| 写真 (しゃしん) | photograph |
| 赤蜻蛉 (あかとんぼ) | red dragonfly |
| 曼珠沙華 (まんじゅしゃげ) | red spider lily (Lycoris radiata) |
| 嫁菜 (よめな) | Aster scaber (edible wild plant) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ておく N4Indicates preparing or doing something in advance.開けたままで宜しい
- ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regretful outcome.思わず、四辺を見て半紙に包もうとした
- ～による/による N3A cause/reason or basis.何にするものだか、今もって解らない
- ～とする N3Try to do, assume, or consider.半紙に包もうとした
- ～ならでは N1Unique to; only possible for.あなたの手で、スッと微かな、……二つに折れた半紙の音
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 摩耶夫人Queen Maya, the mother of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). In Japanese Buddhism, temples dedicated to her are often associated with safe childbirth. The text describes a temple with her image and offerings of photographs and belly bands.
- 金剛神Benevolent deities who guard Buddhist temples, often depicted as fierce warriors holding vajra (thunderbolts). Their giant straw sandals (大草鞋) are sometimes offered at temples.
- 釣鐘清水A famous clear spring (清水) at the foot of a bell tower (釣鐘), reflecting the bell's image. Such springs are often local landmarks.
- 曼珠沙華Red spider lily, often associated with death and the afterlife in Japanese culture. It frequently appears in cemeteries and scenes of parting.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat is the name of the spring near the bell tower?
- Maya no Shimizu
- Tsurigane no Shimizu
- Kongoshin no Mizu
- Akamonji no Ido
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipFocus on visual and sensory descriptions to grasp the atmosphere.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseるり色に澄んだ中空の樹の間から、竜が丸い口を張り開いたような、釣鐘の影の裏で、そっと、美麗な婦の――人妻の――写真を見た時に、樹島は血が冷えるようにぞっとした。……山の根から湧いて流れる、ちょろちょろ水が、ちょうどここで堰を落ちて、湛えた底に、上の鐘楼の影が映るので、釣鐘の清水と言うのだ。町も場末の、細い道を、たらたらと下りて、ずっと低い処から、また山に向かって径の坂をうねって上る。その窪地に当たるので、浅いが谷底になっている。一方はその鐘楼を高く乗せた丘の崖で、もう秋の末ながら雑樹が茂って、からからと乾いた葉の中から、昼の月も、鐘の星も映りそうだが、別に札を建てるほどの名所でもない。あたりの、板屋、藁屋の人たちが、大根も洗えば、菜も洗う。葱の枯葉をかき分けて、洗濯などするのだ。で、竹の筧を山笹の根に掛けて、流れの落ち口のそとに、小さな滝を仕掛けてある。
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