作品Free Graded Reading
狸と与太郎The Tanuki and Yotaro
Tanuki to Yotaro
by 夢野 久作 · Yumeno Kyūsaku
A boy meets a tanuki but only gets scared when it's just a tanuki!
About this story
About this storyA boy warned about a shape-shifting tanuki encounters monsters but only fears the tanuki itself.
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): 「夢野久作全集7」三一書房
1970（昭和45）年1月31日第1版第1刷発行
1992（平成4）年2月29日第1版第12刷発行
Typed in by 川山隆. Proofread by 土屋隆.
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 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.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 与太郎 | Yotaro (protagonist's name) |
|---|---|
| 狸 | raccoon dog, tanuki |
| 化ける | to transform, to take the form of |
| 一つ目入道 | one-eyed monster |
| ロクロ首 | rokurokubi, a long-necked ghost |
| 一所懸命 | 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.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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