不思議な帽子The Mysterious Hat

What you'll learn

A devil living in a sewer discovers a bright light from a manhole, transforms into a small dog, and explores the lively city streets. When he tries to return, the manhole is sealed shut, so he hides in a hat shop by turning into a hat.

The next morning, the devil wakes up in the hat shop. A fashionable gentleman buys the hat the devil is disguised as. The devil enjoys the ride on the gentleman's head but gets hungry and secretly eats the gentleman's food during lunch.

The gentleman walks down the street feeling hungry and puzzled. The devil laughs out loud and sneezes from a cold he caught. The gentleman realizes the hat is unusual and tries to grab it, but the devil pretends to be blown away by the wind and escapes rolling down the street.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～ことか N3Exclamatory expression meaning 'how...!' Used to express strong emotion.
  何ときらきら光ってる燈火だことか。
• ～うちに N3While; during the time that; as (doing something). Indicates a change or action during a period.
  そのうちに夜はだんだんふけてきて、人通りも少なくなり、商店の窓もしめられ、賑やかだった街路が淋しくなり始めました。
• ～てしまう N4Expresses completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality.
  悪魔はおかしさをこらえて澄ましてきっていましたが、今こうして、ハイカラな洋服の紳士の頭にのっかって、賑やかな大通りを通ってるうちに、非常に愉快な得意な気持ちになって、ぐっと反り返りながら、逃げ出すのも忘れてしまいました。
• ～かしら N4Particle expressing uncertainty or a wish, often used in casual speech for 'I wonder'.
  「弱ったな。どうしたら下水道へ戻ってゆけるかしら」

Cultural notes

• Taisho Era ModernizationThe story references 'ハイカラ' (high collar), a term popular in the Taisho era (1912-1926) for Western-style fashion and culture. It reflects Japan's rapid modernization and fascination with Western goods like phonographs (蓄音機) and stylish clothing.
• Sewer Systems in JapanThe story's setting in a sewer (下水道) highlights urban infrastructure. Japan's modern sewer systems began developing in the late 19th century, but many areas in the Taisho era still had open drainage. The devil's home in the sewer reflects a dark, hidden underworld.

Try a comprehension question

Read a sample in Japanese

Topics

Short Storychildrenfolklorecuriositydiscoverywhimsicalhumorousaozora bunko