作品Free Graded Reading
黒襟飾組の魔手The Black Scarf Gang's Evil Hand
Kuro Eri Kazari Gumi no Mashu
by 山本 周五郎 · Yamamoto Shūgorō
A detective battles a mysterious gang with ties to baseball.
About this story
About this storyA boy detective receives a black envelope challenge while practicing baseball, thrusting him into a mystery.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseSource
SourceThis text comes from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), the volunteer-run library of Japanese writing that is out of copyright. See this work on Aozora Bunko
Base edition (底本): 「山本周五郎探偵小説全集 第一巻 少年探偵・春田龍介」作品社
2007（平成19）年10月15日第1刷発行
Typed in by 特定非営利活動法人はるかぜ. Proofread by 良本典代.
Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.
The furigana are Yomimaru's.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnRyusuke receives a challenge letter from the Black Necklace Gang during baseball practice. Later, at his uncle's mansion, he learns of a similar threat and decides to accept the duel. A private detective arrives, but Ryusuke suspects him.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 挑戦状 (ちょうせんじょう) | challenge letter |
|---|---|
| 脅迫状 (きょうはくじょう) | threat letter |
| 金剛石 (こんごうせき) | diamond |
| 頸飾 (くびかざり) | necklace |
| 一騎討 (いっきうち) | one-on-one duel |
| 混血児 (こんけつじ) | mixed-race child |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality.とっとと書斎をとび出してしまった。
- ～かもしれない N4Indicates possibility; 'might' or 'may'.ことによると、左手で書いたかも知れぬ。
- ～そうだ (hearsay) N4Used to convey hearsay or rumor; 'I heard that...'.父さんの化学実験の手伝をするんだそうだからね……
- ～たとたん N3Just as; at the moment when.そういったとたん、ふと気がつくと庭に面した窓の外で
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Boy Detective Genre (少年探偵)This story is part of the 'shonen tantei' genre, popular in early 20th century Japan, featuring young sleuths solving mysteries. The protagonist, Ryusuke, embodies the clever and courageous boy detective archetype, similar to Edogawa Rampo's 'Boy Detectives Club' series.
- Black Envelope SymbolismThe black envelope used by the gang is a classic mystery trope symbolizing ominousness and secrecy. In Japanese culture, black is often associated with formal warnings or death threats.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWho delivered the first challenge letter to Ryusuke?
- A mixed-race boy
- The private detective
- A baseball teammate
- The viscount
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to character names and titles; they often give clues to relationships and roles.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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