昆虫図Insect Diagram

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

Aoki visits his neighbor Danroku's studio and witnesses a bizarre series of insect infestations—flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, and worms—that coincide with the absence of Danroku's wife. Aoki's own female companion reveals a folk belief about insects following burial, leading to the unsettling conclusion that something is rotting beneath the floor.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～くさい N2Suffix indicating 'seems like', 'smells like', often negative connotation.
  年増くさい女と二人で住んでいた。
• ～がち N3Tendency to do something; often negative.
  時代おくれな顔をした、日蔭の花のような陰気くさい女で、
• ～ておく N4To do something in advance; leave as is.
  あッさりと埋めといて、早く骨になるのを待つの。

Cultural notes

• お洗骨 (Bone Washing)A traditional Japanese funeral ritual where bones are washed after cremation, often involving gathering the bones with chopsticks. Here it is described as burying temporarily to let the flesh decay naturally, which is a variant practice.
• 吉原 (Yoshiwara)The famous red-light district in Edo (modern Tokyo). The mention suggests the wife's dubious past.

Try a comprehension question

Topics & grammar

Short Storyartmysterymelancholyeerieaozora bunko〜ておくdo in advance〜がちtends to / prone to