鬼The Demon

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What you'll learn

The narrator reflects on Tsuji Jūkichi, a writer known for being stingy, but slowly reveals his chaotic financial management.

The narrator elaborates on Tsuji's extreme sloppiness: he neglects personal matters, let's money expire, and his lifestyle is chaotic.

Tsuji finally agrees to remarry, but his workaholic tendencies cause problems, and a currency reform complicates his finances.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～でならない N2Indicates that a feeling is so strong it cannot be helped; 'cannot help but feel'.
  不思議でならなかった。
• ～くらい～はない N3Used to indicate that something is the most extreme; 'there is nothing as ~ as'.
  顔も洗わずに結婚式を挙げるのは、君ぐらいのものだ。
• ～たことがある N5Indicates experience of doing something; 'have done something before'.
  第一字引というものを持っていない。引くのが面倒くさいので、買わぬらしい。
• ～てみる N4Indicates trying to do something; 'try doing'.
  仕事をへらしてみたところで同じことだよ。
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often with a nuance of regret or finality.
  窓口で原稿を訂正していた。

Cultural notes

• Post-War Currency ReformThe story references the 'Financial Emergency Measures' and 'old currency' (旧券) vs 'new currency' (新券). This refers to the 1946 currency reform in Japan, where old yen notes were frozen and new yen issued to combat inflation.
• Black Market (闇市)During and after WWII, black markets flourished. The text mentions buying cigarettes and sugar on the black market, and later selling '証紙' (stamps used to validate old currency).
• Literary World in Early ShowaThe story describes the competitive nature of the literary world, with writers taking on multiple jobs (scenarios, radio plays, etc.) to earn money. The protagonist's workaholic attitude reflects the pressures on writers.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storypovertyartistic integrityphilosophicalmelancholyaozora bunko〜たことがあるta koto ga aruてみるte miru〜てしまうte shimau