青年と死Youth and Death

What you'll learn

Two eunuchs discuss the strange phenomenon of concubines becoming pregnant despite the harem being isolated from men. They consider that an invisible man may be visiting them and decide to spread sand to catch his footprints.

Maids spread sand across the area, completing the task and moving to the corridor.

Two young men, A and B, engage in a philosophical debate about life, death, and the search for truth. A argues that awareness of death gives life meaning, while B wants to avoid such thoughts. They decide to put on invisible cloaks and go out.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～のですか N5Used to seek explanation or confirmation, often in a questioning tone.
  相手がわからないのですか。
• ～ではないか N3Rhetorical question meaning 'Isn't it that ~' or expressing surprise/emphasis.
  無意味なものはないじゃあないか。
• ～て見る N5Try doing ~ to see the result.
  物は試しですからまあやって見るのですね。
• ～ず N3Classical/literary negative form equivalent to ～ないで or ～ずに.
  すべて背景を用いない。
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regrettable outcome.
  さあすっかりまいてしまいました。

Cultural notes

• ウパニシャッド哲学Reference to the Upanishads, ancient Indian philosophical texts central to Hinduism. The characters mention 'Atman' and 'Upanishad philosophy', reflecting the intellectual interests of early 20th century Japanese writers like Akutagawa.
• 龍樹菩薩Nagarjuna, an influential Buddhist philosopher. The play ends with a note referencing a legend about him, linking the themes of emptiness and illusion to the narrative.
• 後宮

Try a comprehension question

Read a sample in Japanese

Topics

Short Storyhistoricalmysterylifedeathsupernaturaleeriesuspensefulphilosophicalaozora bunko