作品Free Graded Reading
皿屋敷The Plate Mansion
Sarayashiki
by 田中 貢太郎 · Tanaka Kōtarō
A vengeful ghost counts plates forever - the tragic tale of Okiku.
About this story
About this storyA servant girl accidentally breaks a valuable plate, leading to a ghostly legend.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseSource
SourceThis text comes from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), the volunteer-run library of Japanese writing that is out of copyright. See this work on Aozora Bunko
Base edition (底本): 「怪奇・伝奇時代小説選集13 四谷怪談 他8編」志村有弘編、春陽文庫、春陽堂書店
2000（平成12）年10月20日第1刷発行
Typed in by Hiroshi_O. Proofread by 門田裕志.
Yomimaru changed the spelling to modern kana and modern kanji, and replaced classical grammar and some archaic words with modern ones.
The furigana are Yomimaru's.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnOkiku, a maid, accidentally breaks one of her master's prized plates while chasing a cat. Her cruel master cuts off her middle finger as punishment. She later disappears, and supernatural events begin: a baby is born missing a finger, ghostly voices are heard, and the household is doomed.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 婢 (ひ) | maid servant |
|---|---|
| 折檻 (せっかん) | punishment, discipline (often harsh) |
| 吝嗇 (りんしょく) | miserly, stingy |
| 小柄 (こづか) | short sword, dagger |
| 古井戸 (ふるいど) | old well |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ようにと N3Indicates a purpose or wish; 'so as not to...', 'in order to...'この壮い美しい婢は、粗相して冷酷な主人夫婦の折檻に逢わないようにとおずおず働いているのであった。
- ～かと思うと N2As soon as; no sooner... than; indicates one action immediately followed by another.そう云うかと思うと主膳は小柄を脱いて起ちあがり、いきなりお菊の右の手首を掴んで縁側に出て、その手を縁側に押しつけて中指を斬り落した。
- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion or regret; 'end up doing', 'accidentally do'.その機に手にしていた皿が落ちて破れてしまった。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- BanchōBanchō (番町) is a historical district in Edo (now Tokyo), often associated with samurai residences. The story's setting in Banchō adds authenticity to its feudal-era backdrop.
- Kaidan (Ghost Stories)This story is a classic kaidan, a traditional Japanese ghost story. Kaidan often involve wronged women returning as vengeful spirits (yūrei). Okiku is a famous figure in this genre, and her story appears in many variations, including the well-known 'Banchō Sarayashiki' (The Dish Mansion at Banchō).
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did Okiku break the plate?
- She dropped it accidentally while chasing a cat.
- She was angry and threw it.
- The master made her break it.
- A ghost pushed it off the table.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the archaic vocabulary (e.g., 婢, 折檻, 吝嗇) and try to infer meaning from context.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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