作品Free Graded Reading
亀の子を握ったままWhile Holding the Turtle's Child
Kame no Ko o Nigitta Mama
by 田中 貢太郎 · Tanaka Kōtarō
JLPT N3Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready
A cursed turtle pool brings death to a whole family—do you dare read?
What you'll learn
What you'll learnDenbee, a teacher, goes fishing at the cursed Turtle Pond despite warnings. He catches many fish but the rock he stands on moves, causing him to fall. He develops a fever, mutters about a turtle, and dies days later. His young son dies of flu, and his wife goes mad and drowns in the same pond, clutching a baby turtle.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 65/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 亀ヶ淵 (かめがふち) | Turtle Pond (a place name) |
|---|---|
| 怪異 (かいい) | mysterious phenomenon; strange event |
| 伝兵衛 (でんべえ) | Denbee (male given name) |
| 魚籠 (びく) | fish basket |
| 逆上 (ぎゃくじょう) | becoming frantic, hysterical |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～て往く (te-iku) N2A pattern meaning 'to go doing [verb]' or 'to go and do', often expressing away movement. In classical style, '往く' is used instead of '行く'.伝兵衛は網を畳んで帰ろうとした。
- ～と云う (to iu) [quotation] N4Used to introduce quoted speech or a name. Here it's used to report what people say about the pond and to name characters.亀ヶ淵と云う淵があった。
- ～てしまう (te-shimau) N4Indicates completion of an action, often with a nuance of regret or finality.死んでしまった。
- ～ながら (nagara) N4Means 'while doing [verb]'. Here used to show simultaneous actions.伝兵衛は漁のない腹だたしさと、酒の酔いもいくらかてつだったので、
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Turtle in Japanese FolkloreTurtles (亀, kame) are often seen as symbols of longevity and good luck, but also appear in folk tales as ominous creatures or shape-shifters. Here, the giant turtle brings death, subverting the positive connotation.
- Kitakami River and IwateThe Kitakami River is a major river in the Tohoku region, and Iwate Prefecture is known for its rural landscapes and folklore. This story uses a real location to ground the supernatural elements.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did Denbee go to Turtle Pond at night?
- He wanted to test if the legend was true.
- He was angry about not catching fish and a bit drunk.
- He was looking for his lost child.
- He was invited by friends.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the classical verb '往く' (iku) instead of the modern '行く'.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese岩手県の北上川の流域に亀ヶ淵と言う淵があったが、そこには昔から大きな亀が住んでいて、いろいろの怪異を見せると言うので夜など行くものはなかった。その亀ヶ淵の近くに小学校の教員が住んでいた。それは、伝兵衛と言う中年の男であったが、それが初秋の比、夕飯の後で北上川の網打ちに行って、彼方此方と網を入れてみたが、不思議に何も獲れなかった。伝兵衛は漁のない腹だたしさと、酒の酔いもいくらかてつだったので、（そんことは迷信さ）と言いながら亀ヶ淵へ行った。空には夕月があった。淵の一方の水際に従来気のつかなかった大きな岩があった。伝兵衛はその岩の上へあがって行って網を投げたが、その網にはたくさんな魚が入っていた。（これはものすごいぞ）伝兵衛は大喜びでそれを腰の魚籠へ入れたが、魚籠は魚でいっぱいになった。魚が魚籠にいっぱいになれば、そのうえ網を打つ必要もなかった。伝兵衛は網を畳んで帰ろうとした。
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