二つの手紙Two Letters

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What you'll learn

The narrator, Sasaki Shinichiro, writes a long letter to the police chief, pleading to be believed that he is sane. He provides historical examples of doppelgängers, then describes three terrifying encounters with his own double and his wife's double, and explains how he finally confessed to his wife.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～なければならない N4Must do; have to. Used to express obligation.
  私は一家の秘密をも、閣下の前に暴露しなければならないからでございます。
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regret of an action.
  二つの幻影は、電車のかげになった刹那に、どこかへ見えなくなってしまったのでございます。
• ～かもしれない N4Might be; possibly. Expresses uncertainty.
  あるいはまた、ドッペルゲンゲルと云う現象が、その疑を解くためには余りに異常すぎたせいもあるのに相違ございません。
• ～ものだ N3Used to express general truth, reminiscence, or expectation.
  そうして、その語通り、翌日の午後六時に、静に息をひきとりました。
• ～に違いない N2Must be; certainly. Expresses strong conviction.
  私の顔色は確かに、灰のようになっていたのに相違ございません。

Cultural notes

• Doppelgänger LoreIn European folklore, a doppelgänger is a double or look-alike of a living person, often seen as an omen of bad luck or death. The narrator references several historical accounts, such as Catherine the Great and Goethe, to support the validity of such phenomena.
• Historical Examples in the LetterThe narrator cites Dr. Werner's accounts of a jeweler meeting his double and a professor seeing his own doppelgänger before death, as well as other cases from Stilling and others, to argue that his experiences are not unique.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storymysterysecretssanityfamilyconfessionsuspensefuldarkaozora bunko〜かもしれないmight / maybe〜なければならないmust / have to〜てしまうended up (regret)〜ものだshould / used to / general truth〜に違いないmust be / no doubt