作品Free Graded Reading
集団見合Group Blind Date
Shūdan Miai
by 坂口 安吾 · Sakaguchi Ango
A chaotic group blind date descends into absurdity with a zany cast of characters.
About this story
About this storyA journalist's embarrassing pre-date encounter with a loud woman leads to comic commentary on matchmaking.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseWhat you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator recounts the lead-up to a group blind date event at Tama River, involving a young reporter named Takagi and other eccentric characters. He describes the chaotic scene with fake participants, photographers, and the genuine awkwardness of the real marriage-seekers.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| サシエ (さしえ) | illustration |
|---|---|
| 見合い (みあい) | arranged marriage meeting |
| ニセモノ (にせもの) | fake, counterfeit |
| 脳味噌が定量とかけはなれている (のうみそがていりょうとかけはなれている) | brains are far from normal (idiom) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～にすぎない N3It means 'merely' or 'nothing but'.ニセモノ同志がハチ合せをしているにすぎないのである。
- ～ばかり N3Indicates that something is the only thing happening (just, only).要するに見合いに立ち騒いでいる大部分はニセモノばかりで、二千余人のホンモノはボンヤリ立ってニセモノの大活躍を見ているばかり
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 集団見合 (Group Blind Date)After WWII, group blind dates became a popular way to find marriage partners in Japan. This event at Tama River is a satirical portrayal, highlighting the media circus and the genuine participants' awkwardness.
- サロン (Literary Salon)The narrator refers to a 'salon'—a gathering of artists, writers, and intellectuals. In post-war Japan, these salons were hubs of creativity and gossip, often involving magazine editors and reporters.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat is the main reason the narrator attends the group blind date?
- He wanted to participate as a groom.
- He was curious as a spectator and it was near his home.
- He was assigned by the magazine to cover the event.
- He wanted to help Takagi find a bride.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the narrator's ironic tone—much of the humor comes from his dry observations.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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