作品Free Graded Reading
殺人迷路Murder Maze
Satsujin Meiro
by 佐左木 俊郎 · Sasaki Toshirou
JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready
A journalist outsmarts police in a cat-and-mouse murder case.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnMurui reveals to Futatsugi that the mystery writer Star Murata is actually the wanted criminal Yamakawa, infuriating Futatsugi. Later, Tsumura discovers that the Western-dressed woman is an actress named Kisaragi Mayumi, linking to the murdered actress Miyabe Kyoko.
Language difficultyAdvanced · 70/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 洋装の女 (ようそうのおんな) | Western-dressed woman |
|---|---|
| 検事 (けんじ) | public prosecutor |
| 面皮を剥ぐ (めんぴをはぐ) | to expose someone's true nature |
| 特種 (とくしゅ) | special information/exclusive scoop |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てならない N2Expresses that a feeling is so strong that one cannot help feeling it. Means 'can't help but feel...' or 'extremely...'.二木検事自身が、揶揄されているような気がしてならないのだった。
- ～のだった N3Used to emphasize a past event or state, often adding nuance of explanation or realization. Equivalent to 'it was that...' or 'that's why...'.彼はみじめな気持を味わわずにはいられないのだった。
- ～ずにはいられない N2Indicates that one cannot help doing something. The verb in negative stem + ずにはいられない (or ないではいられない).彼はみじめな気持を味わわずにはいられないのだった。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 赤門出Refers to being a graduate of the University of Tokyo (literally 'Red Gate'). The red gate (赤門) is a famous landmark of the university, symbolizing prestige.
- 円タクShort for 円タクシー (en taxi). In prewar Japan, taxis charged a flat rate of 1 yen per ride within a certain area. Later became a common term for taxis.
- 検事局Prosecutor's office. In the Japanese legal system, the prosecutor (検事) works at the prosecutor's office (検事局), part of the Ministry of Justice, responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat is the main revelation that Murui brings to Futatsugi?
- Star Murata is actually the wanted criminal Yamakawa Makitaro.
- The Western-dressed woman is the sister of Urabe Toshiko.
- Futatsugi's wife is involved in the case.
- Tsumura solved the case before Murui.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the inner thoughts of characters (marked by ～のだった, ～てならない) to understand their emotions and motivations.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese洋装の女どこで何をしていたのか、新聞記者の村井は、星田代二が検事の第一回訊問を受けた日、彼が警視庁へかえされたのと入れちがいに、検事局の構内に姿を現わした。しかも、彼は、今日がはじめての訪問ではないらしく、わき眼もふらず、真直ぐに、二木検事の調室に歩いて行って、特長のあるドアの叩き方をした。書記がドアを開いた。「どうだった、君？」勝ち誇ったように、村井は微笑した。「うむ」と、村井を握手で迎えながら、二木検事の理智的な額を、憂鬱の影が掠めた。「全く驚いたよ。山川牧太郎が星田代二だとは。七年来お尋ね者の、五万円籠抜詐欺犯人が、大きな面をして、この帝都の真中にのさばっていようとは、誰だって考え及ばないからね」「そこが彼奴のつけ目だよ。隠すには曝せ、というのは、探偵小説の第一課だからね。新聞社や雑誌社に、やたらに写真を撮らせるところなんか、大胆と云おうか、天才と云おうか、驚嘆に値するね」
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