作品Free Graded Reading
怪談会の怪異The Strange Incident at the Ghost Story Session
Kaidankai no Kaii
by 田中 貢太郎 · Tanaka Kōtarō
At a ghost story session, a reporter collapses and dies - a true eerie tale.
About this story
About this storyDuring a ghost story session, a journalist reveals a dark family secret and suddenly collapses.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseWhat you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator recalls a ghost story gathering at Hakugado before an earthquake. After several tales, a journalist climbs the platform and begins to reveal that his grandfather killed Tanaka Kawachi no Kami, but collapses and dies of a stroke three days later.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 怪談会 (かいだんかい) | ghost story gathering |
|---|---|
| 強飯 (こわめし) | sticky rice (used in offerings) |
| 盆燈籠 (ぼんどうろう) | Bon lantern (used during Obon festival) |
| 高座 (こうざ) | raised platform (for storytelling) |
| 背広服 (せびろふく) | business suit |
| 脳溢血 (のういっけつ) | cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～たことがある N5Indicates past experience. Here used in past tense: ～たことがあった.白画堂の三階で怪談会をやったことがあった。
- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion or regrettable action. 'Get spoiled' here.怪談会はしらけてしまって、
- ～てしまう N4Another occurrence: ～てしまった (completed action).一人帰り二人帰りして、
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 怪談会 (Ghost Story Gathering)A traditional Japanese event where people gather to tell ghost stories. Often held during summer to evoke a chilling atmosphere.
- 盆燈籠 (Bon Lantern)Lanterns used during the Obon festival to guide the spirits of ancestors. Lighting them creates a supernatural ambiance.
- 高座 (Kōza - Raised Platform)A elevated stage used by storytellers, rakugo performers, or speakers to command attention.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat happens to the journalist after he starts telling his story?
- He finishes his story and everyone applauds.
- He stumbles, falls off the platform, and dies a few days later.
- He continues talking until dawn.
- He is interrupted by another storyteller.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the sequence of events: the gathering sets up a spooky atmosphere, then the journalist's story and sudden death create a twist.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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