作品Free Graded Reading
鉱毒飛沫Poisonous Spray from the Mine
Kōdoku Shibuki
by 木下 尚江 · Kinoshita Naoe
An early 20th-century account of mining pollution disaster.
About this text
About this textA report on a clash between mining pollution victims and police, sparking a controversial legal case.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseWhat you'll learn
What you'll learnThe chapter introduces the conflict on February 13th at the Tone River between pollution victims and police, leading to arrests and a major legal case.
The author refrains from commenting on the case but notes the need to record police behavior during and after the dispersal.
The author details police misconduct after the dispersal, including beatings, harassment at shops, and a loud 'Banzai' celebration.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 兇徒嘯聚 (きょうとしょうしゅ) | gathering of criminals |
|---|---|
| 疑獄 (ぎごく) | suspicious case; scandal |
| 鉱毒 (こうどく) | mine pollution |
| 拘引 (こういん) | arrest; summons |
| 憤怒 (ふんど) | indignation; anger |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～を以て N1Means 'with; by means of' (formal). Often used in written Japanese.余は之を以て今回の活劇に於ける大問題とは思はざるなり。
- ～に非ず N1Classical/literary negative of である; 'is not'.余が此の旅行の主たる目的には非ざりしなり。
- ～べからず N1Classical prohibition; 'must not; should not'.余は之を以て今回の活劇に於ける大問題とは思はざるなり。否な思はざるに非ず。去れど被害民の発程事情、利根河畔の衝突の事情に就て暫く沈黙を守らんと欲する余は勢ひ之を詳記せざるべきなり。
- ～たり…～たりする N4Lists actions or states; 'doing such things as...'彼等警官は些の事情もあらざるに、或は被害民を罵詈し、或は之を突きやり、甚しきは帯剣もて之を乱打せりと。
- ～が如し N1Classical simile; 'like; as if' (～のようだ).彼等吏員の多くは被害民の哀訴歎願を以て、一個虚偽の行為と解釈するが如し。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Ashio Copper Mine IncidentThe Ashio Copper Mine pollution incident (足尾鉱毒事件) was a major environmental disaster in Meiji-era Japan, where pollution from the mine devastated farmlands and rivers. Victims organized petitions and protests, leading to clashes with police. This report by a journalist (possibly Tanaka Shōzō) criticizes government and police handling.
- Tanaka ShōzōTanaka Shōzō (田中正造) was a politician and activist who championed the cause of the Ashio pollution victims. He directly appealed to the emperor and is remembered for his moral stance. The text mentions his name as a key figure.
- Meiji Police and Government AuthorityThe Meiji government used police to suppress dissent, often viewing protestors as criminals. This text highlights the tension between citizens' rights and state authority, a recurring theme in modern Japanese history.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat happened on February 13th?
- The victims successfully petitioned the government.
- A clash occurred between victims and police at the Tone River.
- The village heads were released.
- The police searched homes for evidence.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tip1. Read slowly and identify classical grammar patterns (e.g., ～に非ず, ～べからず) using a reference guide.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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