作品Free Graded Reading
掏摸と泥棒たちThe Pickpockets and the Thieves
Suri to Dorobōtachi
by 片山 広子 · Katayama Hiroko
JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready
Hilarious pickpocketing mishaps that feel surprisingly modern.
About this story
About this storyAfter Mr. Y gets pickpocketed on the train, he and his wife debate whether to still see a play.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseＹ氏が山手線電車の中で集団掏摸のためにポケットの中をみんな奪われて帰って来た。その日Ｙ氏夫妻は帝劇の「モルガンお雪」を観ることになっていて、Ｙ氏の切符はポケットの中のほかの物と一緒に掏摸の手に渡り、奥さんの切符は無事に家に残っていた。一人でも行って観て来たらとＹ氏は言ったが、奥さんは掏摸と並んで芝居を見ることになるかもしれないから止めると言った。掏摸はそんな切符は帝劇の入口あたりで誰かに売ってしまうだろうから、奥さんの隣りに腰かける人は掏摸とは何も関係のないよその人だろうよとＹ氏が言った。けれど切符を見た拍子に掏摸の一人が急に「モルガンお雪」を見る気になるかもしれないし、だいいち自分の隣りの人が掏摸だか唯のしろうとだか、どっちとも分からないあやふやの気持ちで芝居を見るのはたまらないと言って彼女はゆくのを止めた。
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What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator recounts Y's experience of being pickpocketed on the Yamanote Line, and other anecdotes about organized pickpocketing and solitary thieves, ending with a philosophical reflection on crime from Father Brown.
Language difficultyAdvanced · 85/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 掏摸 (すり) | pickpocket |
|---|---|
| 奪られる (うばわれる) | to be robbed (passive of 奪う) |
| 災難 (さいなん) | disaster, misfortune |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ために (purpose) N3Indicates purpose: 'for the sake of', 'in order to'.Ｙ氏が山手線電車の中で集団掏摸のためにポケツトの中をみんな奪られて帰つて来た。
- ～かもしれない N4Expresses possibility: 'might', 'maybe'.一人でも行つて観て来たらとＹ氏は言つたが、奥さんは掏摸と並んで芝居を見ることになるかもしれないから止めると言つた。
- ～たことがある N5Indicates past experience: 'have done something'.前に一度この配達人を或る夜ふけに大井の庚塚あたりで見かけたことのある刑事が、
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Father BrownA fictional detective and Catholic priest created by G.K. Chesterton. In the text, the narrator references Father Brown's wisdom about crime.
- Kogoro AkechiA famous fictional detective in Japanese literature, created by Edogawa Ranpo. The text mentions '銭形平次' and 'あご十郎' as similar Japanese detectives.
- Ooka Echizen-no-kamiA historical magistrate in Edo-period Japan, known for his wise judgments in criminal cases. He is mentioned as a real-life great detective.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat happened to Y氏 on the Yamanote Line?
- He lost his wallet.
- He was pickpocketed by a group.
- He met an old friend.
- He bought a ticket to the theater.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the historical kana usage (e.g., ゐ for い, を for お in particles) to understand older texts.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammarShort Storycomedycrimeeveryday lifehumorousphilosophicalaozora bunko〜たことがあるhave done before (experience)〜かもしれないmight / maybe〜ためにin order to / because of
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