作品Free Graded Reading
鴨猟Duck Hunting
Kamo Ryō
by 芥川 竜之介 · Akutagawa Ryunosuke
A failed duck hunt leads to humorous excuses and a makeshift solution.
About this story
About this storyThe narrator recalls a duck hunting trip in Tokyo Bay with a group of literary friends, including the famous writer Kido. Despite being accompanied by seasoned hunters, the day ends with not a single duck caught, much to the amusement of one companion. The story humorously depicts the failed expedition and the camaraderie among the men.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseWhat you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator recalls a duck hunting trip in 1924 with several friends. Despite being experienced hunters, they fail to shoot any ducks because the birds fly away upon seeing their boat. Keigetsu-sensei is amused and jokes about the ducks reading signs for prohibited areas. Later, Keigetsu-sensei realizes he promised his child two ducks, so they buy two ducks caught with birdlime from a nearby shop.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 錚々たる (そうそうたる) | distinguished, prominent |
|---|---|
| 禽獣殺戮業 (きんじゅうさつりくぎょう) | business of killing birds and animals |
| 禁猟区域 (きんりょうくいき) | hunting prohibited area |
| 頭巾 (ずきん) | hood |
| 黐 (もち) | birdlime (sticky substance used to catch birds) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～が早いか N1As soon as; the moment something happens, something else occurs immediately after.品川沖におりている鳥は僕等の船を見るが早いか、忽ち一斉に飛び立ってしまう。
- ～たる N1Used to indicate that someone is a certain type of person; often translated as 'as a ...' or 'being ...'.いる癖に、一羽もその日は鴨は獲れない。いや、鴨たると鵜たるを問わず
- ～しまう（しまつだ） N1Used to express a result that is regrettable or disappointing; often means 'end up' or 'in the end'.こういうような仕末で、その日はただ十時間ばかり海の風に吹かれただけで、鴨は一羽も獲れずしまった。
- ～と見えて N2It seems that; apparently. Used to infer a situation based on observable evidence.桂月先生はこの鴨の獲れないのが大いに嬉しいと見えて
- ～だらけ N3Covered in; full of (often used for negative connotations).その黐だらけの二羽の鴨を古新聞に包んで持って帰った。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Taisho Era Duck HuntingThe story is set in 1924 (Taisho 13), when duck hunting was a popular pastime among Japanese intellectuals and artists. The mention of a motorboat (発動機船) and hunting experts reflects the modernizing trends of the time.
- Hunting with Birdlime (黐)黐 (mochi) is a sticky substance traditionally used to catch birds by applying it to branches or traps. In the story, the ducks are caught with birdlime rather than guns, which was an alternative method.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did the ducks fly away according to Keigetsu-sensei?
- Because they were scared of the hunters' guns
- Because they could read and knew the area was a hunting prohibition zone
- Because the boat was too noisy
- Because they were migrating south
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the archaic vocabulary like かゝる (かかる), 錚々たる, and 禽獣殺戮業. Look for context clues to deduce meanings.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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