Yomibunko

作品さくひんFree Graded Reading

口笛を吹く武士The Whistling Samurai

Kuchibue o Fuku Bushi

by 林 不忘 · Hayashi Fubo

JLPT N1Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready

A samurai who whistles — a tale of intrigue and swordsmanship in feudal Japan.

What you'll learn

Kobayashi Heihachiro and Shimizu Ikaku discuss rumors of an attack by the Ako ronin. Kobayashi shows Ikaku a record book identifying a merchant as a former Ako retainer. They agree to investigate further.

Ikaku tries to wake his drunken brother Kyoutarou and persuade him to help with surveillance. Kyoutarou resists but eventually agrees to go out as a spy.

Kyoutarou walks through the streets, pondering which direction to go. He decides to head towards the Tokaido road by following the wind.

Language difficultyAdvanced · 75/100

Key vocabulary

密談 (みつだん)secret talk
赤浪 (あかろう)Ako ronin
付家老 (つけがろう)attached chief retainer
目付役 (めつけやく)inspector
隠密 (おんみつ)secret agent

Grammar points you'll meet

  • ~ておる N4Polite form of ~ている, often used in historical or formal contexts.
    そうどこにも、ここにも、赤浪が潜んでおってたまるものですか。
  • ~かも知れない N4Means 'might be', expressing uncertainty.
    第一、そういうあなたこそ、赤穂浪士の錚々たるものかも知れませんな。
  • ~ごとき N1Means 'like' or 'such as', often used to express humility or contempt.
    何をいわれる。誰が兄貴を、男めかけにする女があります。」一角は、とうとう笑い出して、「犬、猫などと、見下げたようなことをおっしゃるが、兄貴は、それこそ犬、猫のごとくに――。

Cultural notes

  • The 47 Ronin (Ako Roshi)The 47 Ronin were former retainers of Asano Naganori who avenged his death by attacking the mansion of Kira Yoshinaka. This event is one of the most famous tales of samurai loyalty and honor in Japanese history.
  • Role of the Kira Household RetainersThe retainers of Kira, including those from the Uesugi clan, were tasked with protecting him from potential attacks by the Ako ronin. They conducted surveillance and gathered intelligence on the ronin's movements.
  • Tokugawa Shogunate Laws on VendettaDuring the Edo period, acts of revenge were regulated by the shogunate. The 47 Ronin's attack was technically illegal, but they were seen as upholding the samurai code of honor, leading to their legendary status.

Try a comprehension question

What is the main topic of discussion between Kobayashi and Ikaku?

  1. Their family matters
  2. An upcoming attack by the Ako ronin
  3. A business deal
  4. The weather
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Sensei's reading tip

Pay attention to historical context to understand character motivations and the significance of their actions.

Read a sample in Japanese

無双連子一「ちょっと密談――こっちへ寄ってくれ。」上野介護衛のために、この吉良の邸へ派遣されて来ている縁辺上杉家の付家老、小林平八郎だ。呼びにやった同じく上杉家付人、目付役、清水一角が、ぬっとはいってくるのを見上げて、書きものをしていた経机を、膝から抜くようにして、わきへ置いた。「相当冷えるのう、きょうは。」「は。何といっても、師走ですからな、もう。」小林が、手をかざしていた火桶を押しやると、一角は、それを奪うように、抱きこんですわった。「用というのは、どういう――。」上杉家から多勢来ている付け人のなかで、この二人は、よく気が合っていた。身分の高下を無視して、こんな、ともだちみたいな口をきいた。朱引きそとの、本所松阪町にある吉良邸の一室だった。小林は、しばらく黙っていたが、「念には、念を――。」
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