作品Free Graded Reading
死神の名づけ親（第一話）The Godfather of Death
Shinigami no Nazuke Oya
by グリム ヤーコプ・ルートヴィッヒ・カール · Gurimu Yākobu Rūtovihhi Kāru
JLPT N2Short StoryQuiz ready
A poor man chooses Death as his child's godfather in this eerie folk tale.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA poor man with twelve children makes Death the godfather of his 13th child. Death grants the boy the ability to see Death's position by a patient's bedside, making him a famous doctor. When the doctor deceives Death twice to save the king and princess, Death lures him to a cave of life candles and extinguishes his own candle.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 55/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 名づけ親 (なづけおや) | godparent |
|---|---|
| 死神 (しにがみ) | Death (personified) |
| 薬草 (やくそう) | medicinal herb |
| 燈火 (ともしび) | lamp flame (life symbol) |
| だます | to deceive |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ために N3Indicates purpose: 'in order to'.子どもたちにパンをたべさせるために、男は働きつづけた。
- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion or regrettable action.死神の手にはいってしまった。
- ～てみる N4To try doing something.死神をだませないものかしらと、お医者が考えてみた。
- ～おう（意向形） N4Volitional form indicating intention: 'let's' or 'try to'.おもいきって、やってみろ。
- ～たことがある N5Expresses past experience: 'have done something'.王さまが病気にかかったことがある。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Godfather DeathThis story is a Japanese adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale 'Godfather Death'. In both versions, Death serves as a godfather who gives a human the power to see Death's presence, leading to a conflict when the human tries to cheat Death. The concept of a personified Death who grants special abilities is common in European folklore and was adapted into Japanese culture through translated literature.
- 名づけ親 (Nazukeoya) TraditionIn Japan, the 'nazukeoya' (godparent) was traditionally chosen to name a child and guide their upbringing, similar to Christian baptismal sponsors. The practice is less common today but appears in folklore. Choosing a supernatural being as a godparent reflects the family's desperation.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did the poor man reject God as godfather?
- Because God is unfair to the poor.
- Because God asked for too much money.
- Because God was too busy.
- Because the man did not believe in God.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to character dialogue markers like 'と、～が言いました' and 'と、～がこたえました' to track speakers.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseびんぼうな男が、子どもを十二人もっていました。それで、その子どもたちにパンをたべさせるために、男は、いやおうなしに、昼となく夜となく働きつづけました。そこへ十三人めのが産声をあげたものですが、こまってばかりいてもどうにもならず、ままよ、いちばんはじめにばったりでくわした者を名づけ親にたのんでやれとおもって、大通りへとびだしました。男にでくわした初めてのもの、それは神さまでした。神さまには、男のくよくよ思ってることがちゃんとおわかりですから、「かわいそうに！ 気の毒な人だね。わしが、おまえの子どもに洗礼をさずけてあげよう、その子どものめんどうをみて、この世で幸福なものにしてあげよう」と、仰せになりました。「どなたですか、あなたは」と、男が言いました。「わしは、神さまだよ」
Read the full text with furigana + instant lookups in Yomimaru →
Topics
More N2 reads
