作品Free Graded Reading
鬼The Demon
Oni
by 織田 作之助 · Oda Sakunosuke
JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready
A mysterious encounter with a demon that challenges human understanding
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe 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.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 65/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 貧乏 (びんぼう) | poverty, poor |
|---|---|
| 抜目無い (ぬけめない) | shrewd, sharp, not missing a trick |
| ちゃっかり | shrewdly, opportunistically |
| 高利貸 (こうりがし) | moneylender (charging high interest) |
| ズボラ | slovenly, careless, negligent |
Grammar points you'll meet
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
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.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy does the narrator initially think Tsuji is stingy?
- Because he is always borrowing money.
- Because he is known for being shrewd and never missing a chance with money.
- Because he refuses to pay for meals.
- Because he hides money in books.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the contrast between the narrator's perceptions and reality; the story uses this to build character.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese一はじめのうち私は辻十吉のような男がなぜそんなに貧乏しなければならぬのか、不思議でならなかった。人は皆彼のことを大阪人だと言っている。大阪生れだという意味ではない。金銭にかけると抜目がなくちゃっかりしていると、軽蔑しているのである。辻という姓だから、あの男は十に辶をかけたような男だと、極言するひとさえいる位だ。それはひどいと私はそんな噂を聴いた時思った。しかし、彼の仕事振りを見ていると、やはり金銭のために堕落しているのではないだろうかと、思われる節がないではなかった。彼が風変りな題材と粘り強い達者な話術を持って若くして文壇へ出た時、私は彼の逞しい才能にひそかに期待して、もし彼が自重してその才能を大事に使うならば、これまでこの国の文壇に見られなかったような特異な作家として大成するだろうと、その成長を見守っていたのだが、文壇へ出て二三年たたぬうちに、はや才能の濫費をはじめた。
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