半七捕物帳Hanshichi the Detective

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What you'll learn

An old man named Hachi recounts the story of a famous helmet made of coins displayed at a temple festival. The helmet's gold and silver coins are ordered removed by authorities, but before they can be removed, five gold coins and five silver coins are stolen. A detective named Kanematsu is assigned to investigate.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～たところで N1Even if... (It won't make a difference); indicates that even if you do something, the result will be unsatisfactory.
  金銀を外してしまっては、兜も光りを失うわけですが、どうも致し方がありません。それはまあそれとして、差しあたり困るのはその修繕です。
• ～ものだ N3Used to express general truths, past habits, or something that is generally expected.
  昔は祭礼や開帳には造り物が出来たものです。
• ～からには N2Since...; now that...; expresses a strong resolve or logical conclusion based on a situation.
  この機を失っては再び手に入る時節がないと、教重はゆうべ思い切って悪事を断行したのであった。

Cultural notes

• 開帳 (Kaichō)A Buddhist ritual where a sacred image or object is publicly displayed for worship. Often associated with festivals and fairs, including food stalls and entertainment.
• 奉納 (Hōnō)The act of offering something to a shrine or temple, often as a votive offering. In this story, decorative objects (造り物) were offered to the temple and displayed.
• 夜叉神堂 (Yashajindō)A hall dedicated to a yaksha (a type of spirit), located within the temple grounds. It is believed to have healing powers for swellings, and visitors offer demon masks (鬼の面) as votive offerings.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storymysteryhistoricalcrimestorytellingnostalgicsuspensefulaozora bunko〜ものだmono da · should / used to / general truth〜たところでta tokoro de · even if (futile)