作品Free Graded Reading
女仙The Female Immortal
Josen
by 芥川 竜之介 · Akutagawa Ryunosuke
A beautiful young woman reveals she is 3600 years old and a mother.
About this story
About this storyIn ancient China, a young scholar lives next to a mysterious beautiful woman who lives alone. One spring evening, he witnesses her cruelly beating an old woodcutter, and he steps in to stop her, questioning her actions.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseWhat you'll learn
What you'll learnA student living in rural China suspects his beautiful neighbor of being unusual. He witnesses her beating an old woodcutter, who she claims is her son. She reveals she is 3600 years old, and the student realizes she is a celestial immortal.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 書生 (しょせい) | student (archaic, often studying away from home) |
|---|---|
| 支那 (しな) | China (archaic, now considered offensive) |
| 木樵り (きこり) | woodcutter |
| 擲る (なぐる) | to hit, to strike |
| 仙人 (せんにん) | immortal hermit (Taoist) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ではありませんか N4Rhetorical question expressing surprise or disagreement: 'Isn't it...?'何もこういう年よりを、擲らないでも善いじゃありませんか！
- ～という N4Noun modifier meaning 'called' or 'that is'.書生はこういう言葉と一しょに、この美しい隣の女が仙人だったことに気づきました。
- ～たまま N3Indicates a state remains unchanged: 'as it is', 'with ... still'.うらうらと春の日の照り渡った中に木樵りの爺さんを残したまま。
- ～はず N3Indicates expectation or logical conclusion: 'should be', 'supposed to'.第一年上のものを擲るということは、修身の道にもはずれている訣です。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 仙人 (Immortal Hermits)In Chinese and Japanese folklore, 仙人 are beings who have attained immortality through Taoist practices. They often possess supernatural powers and appear in human form, sometimes testing or teaching mortals. This story draws on that tradition.
- 支那 (Archaic Name for China)The word 支那 was historically used in Japan to refer to China, but it fell out of favor after WWII due to its negative connotations. In modern contexts, 中国 is standard. Its use here sets the story in a vague, exoticized 'Old China'.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy does the student intervene when he sees the woman beating the woodcutter?
- He thinks it is wrong to hit an elder.
- He wants to join the beating.
- He is afraid of the woman.
- He is curious about her.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the rhetorical use of ～ではありませんか, which conveys the student's shock.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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