般若の面The Hannya Mask

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

A blacksmith works in his shop as autumn turns to storm. A young traveler arrives seeking shelter, and after sharing his troubles, the blacksmith buys his watch as a form of help.

Years later, the traveler returns as a successful man to reclaim the watch. He learns the blacksmith has died, but his son offers the watch as a gift. The traveler declines, realizing the watch holds memories for both families.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～でありました N2Literary past form of である, used in narratives to describe states in the past.
  昔を思い出して、だれにいうとなくいいました。
• ～のであります N2Literary form of のです/んです, used to provide explanation or emphasis in a narrative.
  枯れかかった葉が思い出したように、ほろほろと、こずえから落ちて、空に舞ったのであります。
• ～かもしれない N4Means 'might', 'maybe', expressing possibility.
  この地方では、いつあらしとなり、あられが降ってくるかしれません。
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality.
  この時計などは、あのカムチャツカの雪の中にうもれてしまったものと思っていればよかったのである。
• ～たものだ N3Expresses a past habit or reminiscence, similar to 'used to do'.
  前を通る顔なじみの村人は、声をかけていったものです。

Cultural notes

• Hannya Mask (般若の面)A mask used in Noh and Kyogen theater representing a jealous female demon. It symbolizes intense emotion and is often used in stories as a keepsake or charm.
• Kamchatka (カムチャツカ) as a Distant LandIn Japanese literature, Kamchatka (in Russia) is sometimes used as a symbol of a faraway, harsh place where people go to seek fortune or escape. Here, the traveler worked there.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storyfolkloresupernaturalfatemelancholyeerieaozora bunko〜かもしれないkamo shirenai〜てしまうte shimau