作品Free Graded Reading
質屋の通帳The Pawnshop Passbook
Shichiya no Tsuuchō
by 薄田 泣菫 · Susukida Kyūkin
A struggling writer visits a stranger to borrow a pawnshop passbook, a hilarious premise.
About this story
About this storyA writer receives a peculiar request from a visitor asking for his pawnshop passbook during spring in Kyoto.
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): 「日本の名随筆 別巻18 質屋」作品社
1992（平成4）年8月25日第1刷発行
1997（平成9）年5月20日第3刷発行
Typed in by 門田裕志. Proofread by 大野 晋.
Yomimaru changed the spelling to modern kana and modern kanji, and replaced classical grammar with its modern form.
The furigana are Yomimaru's.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator recalls a visit from a young writer named K, who awkwardly asks to borrow a pawnshop passbook to pawn his haori. The narrator does not have one, leading to an embarrassing conversation. Later, the narrator's friend Dr. U comments on the cultural significance of pawnshop passbooks for artists.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 質屋 (しちや) | pawnshop |
|---|---|
| 通帳 (つうちょう) | passbook, bankbook |
| 羽織 (はおり) | haori (Japanese coat) |
| 拝借 (はいしゃく) | borrow (humble) |
| 悔恨 (かいこん) | remorse, regret |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てゐる (archaic form of ～ている) N3Progressive or state. In classical/literary style, てゐる is used instead of ている.京都に住んでゐた頃、たしか花時の事だつたと思ひます。
- ～やうだ (ようだ) - seem, appear N4Expresses conjecture or resemblance based on appearance.初めて伺つて、失礼な事を申すやうですが、
- ～ながら (while, although) N3Indicates simultaneous action or a contrasting state.高名な画家の住居にしては、見すぼらし過ぎる家だなと思ひ乍ら、
- ～てしまう (finish, regret) N4Indicates completion or an unfortunate result.断られてしまひました。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Pawnshop Passbooks in JapanPawnshop passbooks (質屋の通帳) were used to record transactions with pawnshops. They were common household items, especially among those who needed quick cash. Artists often used them as a practical tool for managing finances.
- 谷口靄山 and the Painter's House谷口靄山 (Taniguchi Aizan, 1807-1883) was a notable Japanese painter of the Nanga school. The house described in the text was his former residence, which had historical significance but had fallen into disrepair.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did K氏 visit the narrator?
- To borrow a pawnshop passbook
- To sell his haori
- To ask for a loan
- To borrow money
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to archaic kana usage like ゐ (wi) and ぢゃ (ja) – these are historical spellings that may be pronounced differently today.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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