釘抜藤吉捕物覚書Kuginuki Tokichi's Detective Notes

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What you'll learn

The chapter opens with the manhunt for the burglar 'Manji no Tomegorō'. After a failed raid where a body is found but later vanishes, detectives Kuginuki Tōkichi and Kanbatsu Kenjibei investigate a suspicious report about a neighbor, Gosōji, who has locked himself in. They discover Gosōji is actually Tomegorō in disguise, having used a look-alike as a decoy and faked his death. A fight ensues, and Tomegorō is captured.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～たりとも N1Used to emphasize that even a small amount is not allowed. Means 'not even a single...'.
  指一本たりとも動かせなかった。
• ～たる N1A classical form of 'である', used to define the status or essence of something. Often translates to 'as a' or 'being'.
  卍の富五郎という荒事の稼人、相州鎌倉は扇が谷在の刀鍛冶不動坊祐貞方へ押し入って召捕られ、伝馬町へ差立てということになった。
• ～し N4Used to list reasons or actions. Means 'and' or 'and besides'.
  いそうで開けないのを不審と白眼めば臭くもある。
• ～そうだ N4Used to report hearsay or rumor. Means 'I heard that' or 'it is said that'.
  どうやらまたぞろお膝下へ舞い戻ったらしいとの噂とりどり。

Cultural notes

• Edo Period Detective SystemThe 'okappiki' (目明し) were civilian detectives or informants working for the magistrate's office. They were often former criminals and played a key role in investigations. 釘抜藤吉 is such a detective.
• 王子の槍祭A festival at Ōji Shrine in Tokyo, known for its spear display. It was a popular event in the Edo period, often drawing crowds and providing opportunities for vendors like 与惣次.
• 土蔵破り (Storehouse Burglary)A common type of burglary in Edo period, targeting storehouses (土蔵) where valuables were kept. It required considerable skill and was considered a serious crime.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storymysterycrimepursuitsuspensefuldark〜そうだsou da · I heard that (hearsay)〜たるtaru · in the capacity of (literary)