作品Free Graded Reading
名勝地帯Scenic Zone
Meishō Chitai
by 黒島 伝治 · Kuroshima Denji
JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready
A farmer builds a toilet in a scenic area and gets into trouble with authorities.
About this story
About this storyA farmer in a scenic zone faces conflict after building an unpermitted outhouse.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseそこは、南に富士山を背負い、北に湖水をひかえた名勝地帯だった。海抜、二千六百尺。湖の中に島があった。見物客が、ドライブしてやって来る。何とか男爵別荘、何々の宮家別邸、缶詰に石ころを入れた有名な奴の別荘などが湖畔に建っていた。小川米吉は、そこへ便所を建てた。便所は屋根が板屋根で新しかった。「駐在所の檀那が、おめえに、ちょっと、来いってよお。」女房が、笹を伐りに行っていた米吉に帰ると言った。「何用だい？」「届けずに、こいつを建てたのが、いけねえんだってよお。罰金を取るちゅうだぞ。」「何ぬかしヤがんだい！ 便所なしに、一体、野グソばっかし、たれられるかい！」米吉は、三反歩の小作と、笊あみの副業で食っている。――そこは森林が多かった。御料林だった。御料林でなければ、県有林だった。農民は、一本の樹も、一本の枝も伐ることが出来なかった。同時に、そこは禁猟区だった。
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What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe story introduces a scenic area near Mt. Fuji and a lake where farmer Yonekichi Kogura builds a toilet without permission. The police fine him, leading to conflict. Later, when pigeons eat his crops, he shoots them, but the police investigate.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 55/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 便所 (べんじょ) | toilet (outhouse) |
|---|---|
| 罰金 (ばっきん) | fine (monetary) |
| 伐る (きる) | to cut (trees) |
| 雲雀 (ひばり) | skylark |
| 散弾 (さんだん) | buckshot, shotgun pellets |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てやがる N1Vulgar, contemptuous form of ～ている, used to express disdain for someone's action.何ぬかしヤがんだい！
- ～というのに N3Even though, despite (indicating contrast or unexpected result).自分の住家の前に便所を建てていけないというに到っては、別荘も、別邸もあったもんじゃなかった。
- ～てくれ N4Request form: 'please do for me' (casual).一寸、警察まで来て呉れ。
- ～なければならない N3Must, have to (obligation).何故、あの林に這入って、勝手に、必要なものを伐ってはいけないのか！ それを考えると、不思議な気がした。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Imperial and Prefectural Forests (御料林・県有林)In pre-modern and early modern Japan, large forested areas were designated as imperial forests (御料林) or prefectural forests (県有林). These were strictly protected, and local farmers were prohibited from cutting trees or collecting wood, even for personal use. This often caused resentment among rural communities.
- Scenic Areas and National Parks (名勝地帯・国立公園)The text mentions the area being a 'scenic zone' and later expected to become a national park. Japan's national park system began in 1931 with the National Parks Law. Such designations brought prestige but also restrictions on land use, affecting local farmers.
- Police and Fines for Unauthorized ConstructionIn the Meiji and Showa periods, police had broad authority to issue fines for minor infractions like unauthorized building, which was seen as detrimental to 'scenic beauty.' This reflects the strict enforcement of regulations in scenic areas.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did the police fine Yonekichi?
- He cut down a tree in the imperial forest.
- He built a toilet without permission in a scenic area.
- He shot a pigeon on his farm.
- He stole birds' eggs from the fields.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to dialectal expressions like 'ちゅう' (from という), 'ぬかしヤがんだい' (contemptuous speech) to understand character emotions.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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