作品Free Graded Reading
一つ枕The One Pillow
Hitotsu Makura
by 柳川 春葉 · Yanagawa Shun'you
JLPT N2Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready
A ghostly woman vanishes into a cupboard—only an oil-stained pillow remains.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA man tells a story about his friend's experience at a Yoshiwara brothel. The friend, feeling unwell, goes to sleep and is visited by a mysterious woman who later vanishes into a cupboard, leaving only an oil-stained pillow.
Language difficultyAdvanced · 75/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 談 (だん) | tale, story |
|---|---|
| 吉原 (よしわら) | Yoshiwara (historic red-light district) |
| 敵娼 (てきしょう) | regular prostitute |
| 遊女 (ゆうじょ) | courtesan, prostitute |
| 戸袋 (とぶくろ) | cupboard for sliding doors |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～と N4When; as soon as (quoting/content)見ると自分の敵娼でもなく
- ～ながら N4While; despite男は寝ながら黙って
- ～てしまう N4To finish doing; regrettably doesスーと入ってしまった
- ～かというと N3If asked why...; the reason is如何いうわけか跳起る気力も出ないで
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Yoshiwara (吉原)Yoshiwara was the famous red-light district in Edo (modern Tokyo), established in the early 17th century. It was a licensed quarter for prostitution and a center of entertainment, often featured in Japanese literature and art.
- 青楼 (Brothel)青楼 literally means 'green tower' and was a euphemism for a high-class brothel in the Edo period. These establishments often had multiple floors and were lavishly decorated.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhere does the story take place?
- A teahouse in Kyoto
- A brothel in Yoshiwara
- A temple in Edo
- A rural inn
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to older vocabulary like 敵娼 and 戸袋; look them up if unfamiliar.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseこれは友人の談だ、ある年の春の末、もう青葉の頃だったが、その男は一夜友人に誘われて吉原のさる青楼へ上った、前夜は流連をして、その日も朝から酒を飲んでいたが、いかにも面白くない、友人に断って自分だけは帰ろうとしたが、友人が無理に引き止めるので、仕方なく、その宵はまだ早かったが、三階の一番隅の部屋で、一人寝ていると、外もそろそろ賑になって来たようだが、自分の部屋の近所ではヒッソリと静かで、時々下の方で重い草履の音が、パタリパタリと眠そうに聞こえ、窓越の裏の田んぼからは蛙の鳴く声が聞こえてくるばかりなので、つい、うとうととすると、ふと自分の部屋の障子がスーと開いて、廊下から遊女が一人入って来た、見ると自分の敵娼でもなく、またこの楼の者でも、ついぞ見た事のない女なのだ。
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