作品Free Graded Reading
狸と与太郎The Tanuki and Yotaro
Tanuki to Yotaro
by 夢野 久作 · Yumeno Kyūsaku
JLPT N2Short StoryQuiz ready
A boy meets a tanuki but only gets scared when it's just a tanuki!
What you'll learn
What you'll learnYotaro regularly visits a neighboring village and returns through a forest that his mother warns him about due to a tanuki that transforms. One day, he stays out until dark and encounters the tanuki, which changes into various monsters, but Yotaro remains unafraid until it finally becomes a tanuki, causing him to flee in terror.
Language difficultyBeginner · 25/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 与太郎 (よたろう) | Yotaro (protagonist's name) |
|---|---|
| 狸 (たぬき) | raccoon dog, tanuki |
| 化ける (ばける) | to transform, to take the form of |
| 一つ目入道 (ひとつめにゅうどう) | one-eyed monster |
| ロクロ首 (ろくろくび) | rokurokubi, a long-necked ghost |
| 一所懸命 (いっしょけんめい) | with all one's might |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ているうちに N4While doing something, (something else happens)一つ目入道は見ているうちにロクロ首になりました。
- ～てしまう N4To finish doing something; indicates completion or regrettable outcome狸になってしまいました。
- ～ながら N4While doing; indicates simultaneous actionsと言いながら一所懸命逃げて行きました。
- ～てくる N5To come (doing something); indicates action moving toward the speaker森を通って帰って来ました。
- ～てみる（御覧） N4Try doing something (御覧 is a respectful command form of てみる)もっといろんなものになって御覧
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Tanuki (Japanese Raccoon Dog)In Japanese folklore, tanuki are shape-shifting tricksters known for their playful and mischievous nature. They often transform into objects or people to fool humans.
- One-Eyed Monster (Hitotsume Nyuudo)Hitotsume Nyuudo is a yokai (supernatural monster) with a single large eye, often appearing as a bald-headed priest. It is a common figure in Japanese ghost stories.
- RokurokubiRokurokubi are yokai that appear as ordinary humans by day but can stretch their necks to great lengths at night. They are often female in folklore.
- Oni (Demon)Oni are ogre-like demons in Japanese mythology, often depicted with horns, wild hair, and a fierce expression. They are associated with festivals like Setsubun.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy does Yotaro's mother warn him to come home before dark?
- Because there is a one-eyed monster.
- Because there is a tanuki that can transform.
- Because the forest is dangerous at night.
- Because Yotaro might get lost.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the transformations: the tanuki changes form multiple times, and Yotaro's reaction changes only when it becomes a tanuki.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese与太郎は毎日隣村へ遊びに行って、まだ日の暮れないうちに森を通って帰って来ました。「あの森は狸がいていろいろのものに化けるから、日の暮れないうちに帰らないと恐ろしいぞ」とお母さんが言いきかせているからです。ある日、太郎はうっかり遊び過ごして真っ暗になって帰って来ました。森の中に入ると、忽ち一丈もある位の一つ目入道が出ました。「ヤア。大きな伯父さんが出て来た。眼玉が一つしかないんだね。面白いなあ。僕と一緒にうちへ遊びに来ないかい」と与太郎は言いました。一つ目入道は見ているうちにロクロ首になりました。「ヤア。綺麗な首の長い姉さんになった。変だなあ。どうしてそんなに長くなるの。もっともっと長くしてご覧」と言いました。ロクロ首は今度は鬼の姿になりました。「オヤ、鬼になった。お節句の人形によく似てる。可笑しいなあ。もっといろんなものになってご覧」
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