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.
About this story
About this storyA reporter and prosecutor discuss a shocking revelation about a seven-year fugitive hiding in plain sight.
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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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.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
同級More at N1
- Native-level Japanese newsYominews · free, furigana on every kanji
- Free N1 literary Japanese textsYomibunko · graded texts, free
- The full JLPT N1 grammar list72 points · free study cards
- Which kanji you need for N1Study guide · what to know
- JLPT reading comprehension strategiesStudy guide · reading strategy
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