作品Free Graded Reading
ハナとタマシヒHana and the Soul
Hana to Tamashihi
by 平山 千代子 · Hirayama Chiyoko
JLPT N2Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready
A girl is told that snot is rotten brain – a hilarious childhood misunderstanding that snowballs into family laughter.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe author recalls being told by a classmate that snot (ハナ) is rotten brain. She believes this for years until she learns the real reason in physiology class, laughing at her past naivety.
The author recalls a childhood game where pressing one's eyes reveals yellow rings, which a friend claims is the soul. The author believes this until she is laughed at for the snot belief, causing her to doubt the soul belief as well.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 45/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 鼻汁 (はなじる) | nasal mucus, snot |
|---|---|
| ノーミソ (のーみそ) | brain (childish term) |
| タマシヒ (たましい) | soul, spirit |
| 青ッパナ (あおっぱな) | green snot (from a cold) |
| 水ッパナ (みずっぱな) | runny nose (watery mucus) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regret of an action. Here used in '笑ひが止まらなかった' (couldn't stop laughing) but also '信じてしまった' (ended up believing).そのまゝ半分は信じてもちこしてしまつた
- ～てみせる N3To show or demonstrate something by doing it. Used in '叩いてみせた' (showed by tapping).と私は鼻を指先で叩いてみせた
- ～てくれる N4Someone does something for me. Used in '教へてくれた' (taught me).千代ちやんは大げさに、まるくて茶色いその眼を、一層まるくしてさう教へてくれた
- ～てたまらない N2Cannot stand something, extremely. Used in '笑ひが止まらなかった' but indirectly; the pattern is present in 'おかしくてたまらない' implied.私はおかしくて〳〵笑ひが止まらなかつた
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Childhood Misconceptions about the BodyThe essay humorously recalls a common childhood belief that snot (鼻汁) is rotten brain. Such misconceptions are typical of children's attempts to understand adult explanations. The author also believed that pressing one's eyes reveals the soul (魂).
- The 'Soul' GameChildren often play a game where they press on their closed eyes to see patterns (phosphenes). In the story, a child claims these yellow rings are the soul. This reflects a playful, superstitious interpretation of a physiological phenomenon.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat did the classmate claim about snot (ハナ)?
- It was a sign of illness.
- It was rotten brain.
- It was made of water.
- It was a type of mucus.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the author's use of archaic spellings (e.g., だつた, ゐる) which add a nostalgic tone.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseハナいつごろだったのか、誰であったか、多分、渡辺千代子さんだったと思うが、私をそっと手招きして、校庭のすみへつれて行った。そして小さな声で、「あのね、ハナって、何んだか知ってる？」「ハナ？ ハナって……この鼻？」と私は鼻を指先で叩いてみせた。「うん、出てくる鼻汁よ」「ううん、知らない」と首をふると、「あのね、ハナはノーミソの腐ったものなんですってさ……」千代ちゃんは大げさに、まるくて茶色いその眼を、一層まるくしてそう教えてくれた。「ふうん？ そうお？」と私は言う。真面目になって教える方も教える方だが、「ふうん」と感心してきいてる者もきいてる者だ。が、だから面白い。ノーミソって言うのは、頭のこのオデコから上に這入っている、大事なものだとは私は知っていた。してみれば鼻とは甚だ近いんだから、ほんとなんだろうとも思える。きっと、ノーミソは、あんまり沢山のことを覚えるんで満員になるんだな。
Read the full text with furigana + instant lookups in Yomimaru →
Topics
More N2 reads
