虹猫の話The Story of the Rainbow Cat

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

The bored seven-colored rainbow cat travels to the Cloud Country, where it attends a wedding of the north wind and a princess. When the thunder god threatens, the cat tricks him with a fake magic test, receives lightning, and returns home.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てゐる N4Progressive/state of being (archaic spelling of ～ている)
  七色の虹猫は日向ぼつこをしてゐました。
• ～てしまう N4Complete an action with regret or finality
  お祝ひもめちやめちやに荒らされつちまふだらう。
• ～かもしれない N4Might; maybe
  冒険でもやらうか知ら。
• ～そうです (hearsay) N4I hear that; it is said that
  じつは、風の神さんのおうちで、大きなお祝ひがあるのですよ。
• ～てみる N4Try doing something
  どれ一つ、雲の人たちのところに、顔出ししてみようかな。

Cultural notes

• 雷様 (Raijin)Raijin is the Japanese god of thunder, lightning, and storms, often depicted as a mischievous or fearsome deity. In this story, the thunder god is portrayed as a large, easily angered but gullible figure, reflecting traditional folkloric elements.
• お伽の国 (Otogi no Kuni) - Fairy Tale LandThis refers to a magical land inspired by Japanese fairy tales (otogi banashi). The concept of a colorful cat from such a land adds a whimsical, folkloric touch, similar to stories from the early 20th century Japanese children's literature.
• 七色 (Nanairo) - Seven ColorsThe seven colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) are associated with rainbows and are considered auspicious in Japanese culture. The cat's rainbow-colored body symbolizes good fortune and wonder.

Try a comprehension question

Topics & grammar

Short Storychildrenfolkloreadventurecuriositywhimsicalnostalgicaozora bunko〜ているte iru〜かもしれないkamo shirenai〜そうだsou daてみるte miru〜てしまうte shimau