作品Free Graded Reading
火星の魔術師The Magician of Mars
Kasei no Majutsushi
by 蘭 郁二郎 · Ran Ikujiro
JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready
A mysterious magician on Mars leads a humorous adventure
What you'll learn
What you'll learnEiji and Ōmura arrive at a highland to observe Mars. Ōmura is enthusiastic about Mars, but Eiji is less impressed. They go for a walk.
Ōmura and Eiji discuss the possibility of life on Mars. They suddenly find themselves in a bizarre landscape with giant fruits and vegetables.
The two men are shocked by the giant fruits and vegetables. They meet a man who calls them 'Mars fruits' and invites them to his house.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 60/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 染色体 (せんしょくたい) | chromosome |
|---|---|
| 火星 (かせい) | Mars |
| 進化 (しんか) | evolution |
| 魔術師 (まじゅつし) | magician |
| 覚める (さめる) | to wake up |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～かたがた N1Means 'while also doing; partly for the purpose of'. Used to indicate that an action serves multiple purposes.骨休みかたがたやって来たわけであった。
- ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regret. In this context, it expresses that something has happened completely or accidentally.立ち竦んでしまったのである。
- ～かもしれない N4Means 'maybe; perhaps'. Expresses uncertainty or possibility.地球のものとはまるで違っているかも知れないけど
- ～など N5Particle meaning 'such as; like; etc.' Used to list examples or indicate something trivial.栗の木や柿の木など、そういったものがあるとすれば
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Private Observatory CultureIn Japan, there is a tradition of amateur astronomers building private observatories, often in remote highlands for clear skies. This story reflects that culture.
- Mars Observation in the 1930sThis story was likely written in the 1930s when Mars was a popular topic due to its close approach. The idea of Martian canals and life was widely discussed.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did Ōmura bring Eiji to the highland?
- To observe Mars with a private telescope
- To escape from work
- To introduce him to a scientist
- To test a new invention
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the descriptive passages about food and nature; they are key to understanding the story's atmosphere.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese高原の秋「いい空気だなア――」英二はそういって、小鼻をびくびくさせ、両の手を野球の投手のように思い切り振廻した。「うん。まったく澄み切ってるからね、――どうだい矢ッ張り来てよかったろう、たまにこういうところに来るのも、なんともいえん気持じゃないか」大村昌作は、あまり気のすすまなかったらしい英二を、勧誘これつとめた挙句、やっとこの、いささか季節はずれの高原に引っ張って来た手前、どうやら彼が気に入った様子に、何よりも先ずホッとした。「そういわれると困るな」英二がすぐ振り向いて「何しろここまで来ると空気以外に褒めもんがないんですからね」「まあ、そういうなよ、今年は十五年ぶりで火星が近づいているんだ、この空気の澄んでいる高原は、火星観測には持って来いなんだよ」「そりゃそうかも知れんけど……、その辺を一寸歩いて見ませんか、星が出るまでにはまだ間がありますよ」「うん……」
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