作品Free Graded Reading
無題（十）Untitled (Ten)
Mudai (Juu)
by 宮本 百合子 · Miyamoto Yuriko
JLPT N2Article
A brief, poetic snapshot of a rainy day and childhood memory
What you'll learn
What you'll learnAfter three or four days of rain like the rainy season and a severe earthquake, the sky clears. The narrator describes the late afternoon scene: sparrows chirping, vivid green leaves, a distant uguisu call, mist around treetops, dripping water, a spinning exhaust pipe, flies around a rolled-up bamboo blind, and persimmon flowers on the ground, which evoke childhood memories of the rainy season.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 55/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 梅雨 (つゆ) | rainy season (in early summer) |
|---|---|
| 囀り (さえずり) | chirping, singing (of birds) |
| 眼に沁みる (めにしみる) | to be vividly striking to the eyes |
| ホーホケキョ | the call of the Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～のように N4Indicates similarity to something; 'like' or 'as if'.三四日梅雨のように降りつづいた雨
- ～がする N4Indicates perception of a sound, smell, or feeling.どこでホーホケキョと鶯の声がする。
- ～を思い出す N4To recall or remember something.梅雨の頃の子供のときを思い出す。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 梅雨 (Tsuyu) – The Rainy SeasonJapan experiences a distinct rainy season from early June to mid-July, characterized by persistent rain and high humidity. This period is known as 梅雨, which literally means 'plum rain' because it coincides with the ripening of plums. The rain often brings a lush green landscape and is a common motif in Japanese literature and poetry.
- ホーホケキョ – The Call of the UguisuThe Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) is famous for its distinctive call 'ho-ho-kekyo,' often heard in spring and early summer. It is a beloved bird in Japanese culture, frequently appearing in haiku and songs. Its call is considered a harbinger of spring, though it can be heard through the rainy season.
- 柿の花 (Persimmon Flowers)Persimmon trees bloom in late spring to early summer, producing small, pale yellow flowers. The flowers are often associated with the rainy season. Persimmons themselves (the fruit) are a common symbol of autumn, but the flowers evoke nostalgia for childhood summers in Japan.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat triggered the clearing of the rain?
- A strong wind
- A severe earthquake
- The arrival of evening
- The chirping of sparrows
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipVisualize the scene: The text is rich with sensory details (sight, sound, touch). Try to imagine each element as you read.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese三四日梅雨のように降りつづいた雨がひどい地震のあと晴れあがった。五時すぎて夕方が迫っているのに 雀がチク チ チチと楽しそうに囀り、まだ濡れて軟かく重い青葉は眼に沁みる程 蒼々として見える。どこでホーホケキョと鶯の声がする。遠くの欅の梢や松の梢のあたり 薄すり青っぽい靄がこめている。まだポトリ ポトリ 雨のしずくがトタン屋根にしたたっているが、前の瓦屋根越に見えるよその排気筒はしずかにゆるやかにまわって、蠅が 巻き上げた簾のところで かたまってとびまわっている。柿の花が目にとまった。見るととなりの庭の土の上に いくらかその花が落ちている、梅雨の頃の子供のときを思い出す。水たまり、柿の花が浮んでいる、ところ。
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