五色蟹The Five-Colored Crab

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

The narrator introduces a story sent by a reader named T. T and his friends arrive at a hot spring inn in Izu. They find a colorful crab, which later escapes to the neighboring room of female students, leading to a playful interaction.

Tamiya recounts seeing Kojima Kame's head in the bath at midnight. That night, the crab reappears on Tamiya's chest. Two female students go to the bath, and a woman finds two heads floating, which then vanish. One student, Kojima Kame, is found dead at the bottom of the bath.

An investigation begins. A police officer suspects foul play. Ensen learns from an old fisherman the legend of the 'abata crab' (pockmarked crab), which is cursed. The story ends with Ensen seeing the crab again and being warned not to harm it.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often regrettably or unintentionally.
  蟹は箱の中からどうしてか抜け出して、おそらく縁伝いに隣りへ這い込んだのであろう。
• ～かもしれない N4Expresses possibility; 'might' or 'may'.
  風呂へ行くんじゃあないかしら。
• ～たことがある N5Indicates having experienced something in the past.
  わたしはまだ一度もあなたにお目にかかったことがありません。

Cultural notes

• Hot Spring (Onsen) CultureIn Japan, hot spring inns (温泉旅館) often have large communal baths. It is common for guests to bathe late at night to avoid crowds. The story mentions midnight baths, reflecting this practice.
• Legend of the Pockmarked Crab (あばた蟹)A local legend about a woman with pockmarks who drowned herself and was reborn as a beautiful crab. Touching it is said to bring a curse. This story reflects traditional Japanese beliefs about spirits and curses.

Try a comprehension question

Topics & grammar

Short Storymysterytruthsuspensefuleerieaozora bunko〜たことがあるhave done before (experience)〜かもしれないmight / maybe〜てしまうended up (regret)