怪物屋敷The Monster Mansion

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

The narrator describes moving into a cheap, eerie house in 1902 Tokyo, detailing its dilapidated state and strange rooms, including a 'sealed room'. He recounts nighttime sounds and a student getting lost in the bamboo grove on a moonlit night, leading to the house's reputation as a 'monster house'.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regrettable action.
  ついついそこに住み続けていたのであった。
• ～げ N3Seems like; shows appearance.
  いかにも怪しげな長持
• ～かどうか N4Whether or not.
  犬か狐の類だろう...
• ～たところで N1Even if; no matter how much.
  いつまで経っても出られない。
• ～がち N3Tendency to be.
  よく弟や老婢が言うには、十二時を過ぎた頃になると、門から玄関へかけて、敷石の上をカラコロと下駄の音がして、まるで人が来たかのような音がするという。

Cultural notes

• 明治時代の家屋The house described reflects early 20th century Japanese architecture: a nagaya (row house), genkan entrance, tatami rooms, and a chashitsu (tea room). The mention of a butsudan (Buddhist altar) and shōji doors highlights traditional elements.
• 書生制度Shosei (書生) were male students who lived in a teacher's house, often performing chores in exchange for lodging and instruction. The narrator having three shosei indicates his status as a scholar or writer.
• 月見の習慣The moon viewing (tsukimi) is a traditional Japanese autumnal event. The narrator strolls home under a beautiful moon, reflecting the cultural appreciation of seasonal beauty.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storyghost storymysterysupernaturalsuspenseeeriesuspenseful〜かどうかka dou ka · whether or not〜てしまうte shimau · ended up (regret)〜がちgachi · tends to / prone to〜たところでta tokoro de · even if (futile)