作品Free Graded Reading
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Hinto
by 織田 作之助 · Oda Sakunosuke
JLPT N3Short StoryQuiz ready
A man's comic attempt to start a theft-prevention business backfires hilariously.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA man spends his last 10 yen on coffee and immediately regrets it. He sees a boy with his siblings ordering everything on the menu, learns the boy gets 200 yen daily allowance because his father makes jeeps. Shocked, he later realizes the father makes toy jeeps. Inspired, he starts manufacturing anti-theft bells, but when he returns after taking orders, all the products have been stolen.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 45/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 釈然 (しゃくぜん) | clearly understood; enlightened |
|---|---|
| あり金 (ありがね) | all the money one has; one's entire savings |
| はたく | to spend all; to use up (money) |
| 盗難よけ (とうなんよけ) | anti-theft (device) |
| 引きとめる (ひきとめる) | to stop (someone); to detain |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～と N4When/Whenever A happens, B happens. Natural consequence.一杯十円の珈琲を飲むと、背を焼かれるような後悔に責められた。
- ～ている N5Indicates an ongoing action or state.隣のテーブルでは、十二三の少年が七つ位の弟と五つ位の妹を連れて、メニューにあるだけのものを全部注文していた。
- ～ようとする N3To try to do something; to be about to do something.二百円払って出ようとするのを、彼はあわてて引きとめて、きいた。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 10 Yen CoffeeIn post-war Japan, coffee shops (kissaten) were common and often served coffee for very low prices like 10 yen, reflecting the economic situation. The man's regret over spending 10 yen highlights his poverty.
- Children's Allowance and SpendingThe boy ordering everything on the menu with a 200 yen daily allowance shows extreme wealth and indulgence, contrasting sharply with the man's financial struggles. It reflects social class differences.
- Toy Jeeps as Status SymbolMetal toy jeeps were popular in post-war Japan, possibly representing the American occupation and economic recovery. The man's misunderstanding (thinking real jeeps) leads to his failed business idea.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did the man feel regret after drinking coffee?
- Because the coffee was bad.
- Because he spent his last 10 yen.
- Because the boy was noisy.
- Because he couldn't finish the coffee.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the contrast between the man's regret and the boy's carefree spending to understand the ironic twist.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese彼は十円持って喫茶店へ行き、一杯十円の珈琲を飲むと、背を焼かれるような後悔に責められた。隣のテーブルでは、十二三の少年が七つ位の弟と五つ位の妹を連れて、メニューにあるだけのものを全部注文していた。そして、二百円払って出ようとするのを、彼はあわてて引きとめて、きいた。「君はいくら小遣いをもらうの？」「一日二百円」「へえ……？ お父さんの商売は……？」「ジープを作ってる」彼はびっくりして口も利けなかった。が、喫茶店を出て町を歩いていると、玩具屋で金属製のジープの玩具を売っていた。これだなと、はじめて釈然とした途端、彼は新事業を思いついた。彼はあり金をはたいて、盗難よけのベルの製造をはじめた。製品が出来たので、彼は注文を取って廻った。そして帰って見ると、製品の盗難よけベルはいつの間にか一つ残らず盗まれていた。
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