作品Free Graded Reading
釘抜藤吉捕物覚書Kuginuki Tokichi's Detective Notes
Kuginuki Tōkichi Torimono Oboegaki
by 林 不忘 · Hayashi Fubō
JLPT N1Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready
Another classic detective story from Japan's golden age of crime.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe 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.
Language difficultyExpert · 95/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 土蔵破り (どぞうやぶり) | burglary (breaking into a storehouse) |
|---|---|
| 軍鶏籠抜け (しゃもかごぬけ) | prison break (from a cage used to transport prisoners) |
| 目明し (めあかし) | detective (civilian police informant) |
| 首実検 (くびじっけん) | formal identification of a severed head (criminal identification) |
| 槍祭 (やりまつり) | spear festival (a festival featuring spears) |
| 獄門 (ごくもん) | public execution (by hanging) and display of the body |
| 入牢 (にゅうろう) | imprisonment |
Grammar points you'll meet
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
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.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat is the profession of the main character Kuginuki Tōkichi?
- A swordsmith
- A detective
- A merchant
- A farmer
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipFocus on dialogues and actions to understand the plot; don't get bogged down by archaic descriptions.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese一土蔵破りで江戸中を騒がし長い草鞋を穿いていた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のが、それが鶴見の夜泊りで獄口を蹴って軍鶏籠抜けという早業を見せ、宿役人の三人も殺めた後、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。その風評がいよいよ事実となって現れ、八百八町に散らばる御用の者が縁に潜り屋根を剥がさんばかりの探索を始めてからまる一月、天を翔けるか地に這うか、たしかに江戸の水を使っているとの目安以外、富五郎の所在はそれこそ天狗の巣のように皆目当が立たなかった。
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