三味線の胴The Shamisen Body

About this text

A woman humorously compares her square face to a shamisen body, describing her features and long hair.

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Source

This 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): 「青帛の仙女」同朋舎出版
1996（平成8）年4月5日第1版第1刷発行

Typed in by 川山隆. Proofread by 鈴木厚司.

Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.

The furigana are Yomimaru's. In the app it is split into 2 parts.

What you'll learn

The author introduces her husband's comparison of her face to a shamisen due to her square hairline. She describes her facial features and emphasizes her exceptionally long hair, explaining why she prefers the kushimaki hairstyle. Finally, she praises the noble beauty of Kujo Takeko, who once modeled for a painting.

Key vocabulary

三味線しゃみせん	shamisen (three-stringed instrument)
生はえ際ぎわ	hairline
櫛巻くしまき	kushimaki (a hairstyle worn with a large comb)
九條武子くじょうたけこ	Kujo Takeko (a famous beauty and poet)
後家星ごけぼし	widow's peak (hairline shape)

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～と言う N4Quotation marker meaning 'says that'.

  うちの松まつ篁たかむらは、私わたしの顔かおを三味線しゃみせんだと言いう。

• ～かと言うと N2Used to introduce a reason or explanation: 'if you ask why...'.

  どういうわけかと言いうと、そのあとの毛けを根ねに巻まきつけるとか、何処どこかにぐるぐると入いれるのだが、私わたしのは毛けがながいために入いれるところがない。

• ～ために N3Means 'because of' or 'for the purpose of'.

  私わたしのは毛けがながいために入いれるところがない。

• ～たことがある N5Express past experience: 'have done something'.

  文展ぶんてんの〈月蝕げっしょくの宵よい〉を描えがいた時ときには、モデルになってもらって、横向よこむきやら、七なな三さんやらの姿すがたを写うつさせて貰もらった事ことがある。

• ～て貰う N4Receive the favor of someone doing an action; 'have someone do something'.

  そのころは母ははに結ゆって貰もらっていました。

Cultural notes

• ShamisenA three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument. The author's husband compares her square face to the rectangular body of a shamisen, a humorous and self-deprecating comment.
• Kushimaki HairstyleA traditional Japanese hairstyle where long hair is wound around a large comb (kushi). The author favored it because it was easy to manage with her exceptionally long hair and prevented hair loss.
• Kujo TakekoA renowned beauty and poet from an aristocratic family. The author admires her noble facial features, contrasting her own appearance.
• Bunten ExhibitionThe predecessor of the current Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition). The author mentions a painting 'Lunar Eclipse Night' for which Kujo Takeko served as a model.

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