作品Free Graded Reading
田原藤太Tawara Tōta
Tawara Tōta
by 楠山 正雄 · Kusuyama Masao
A brave samurai takes on a giant centipede to save a dragon king.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnTōta Fujiwara encounters a giant snake on Seta Bridge, which turns out to be the Dragon King of Lake Biwa. The dragon king asks Tōta to defeat a giant centipede that has been terrorizing his underwater kingdom. Tōta agrees and follows the dragon king to his palace.
As night falls, the centipede approaches with thousands of fireballs. Tōta shoots arrows at it, but the first two bounce off. Remembering that centipedes dislike human saliva, he wets the third arrow, which pierces the centipede fatally. The storm subsides, and the grateful dragon king gives Tōta magical gifts: a rice bale that never empties, cloth that never runs out, and a bell that rings across the province.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 大蛇 (だいじゃ) | large snake; serpent |
|---|---|
| とぐろをまく | to coil up (of a snake) |
| 龍王 (りゅうおう) | dragon king |
| むかで | centipede |
| 退治 (たいじ) | extermination; defeat (of monsters) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～て頂けますまいか N2Polite request: 'Could you possibly do for us?' (negative question form of ～ていただく)あのむかでを退治しては頂けますまいか。
- ～かね N4Particle used to ask for confirmation or explanation, often translated as 'I wonder' or 'perhaps'お前は何者か。
- ～てあげる N4Expresses doing something for someone (giving benefit)ではさっそく行って、そのむかでを退治してあげよう。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Dragon King (龍王)In Japanese folklore, the Dragon King is a deity who lives in the sea or lakes and controls rain and water. He is often depicted as a wise and powerful being who can take human form.
- Samurai (武士) and BraveryThe story highlights the ideal samurai virtue of bravery (勇) through Tōta's calmness when facing the giant snake and his willingness to help the dragon king despite the danger.
- Centipede (蜈蚣) in Japanese MythologyGiant centipedes are often depicted as malevolent creatures in Japanese folklore. The centipede here is said to coil around Mount Mikami seven and a half times, emphasizing its enormous size. Interestingly, centipedes are said to dislike human saliva, which Tōta uses to defeat it.
- Mount Mikami (三上山)Mount Mikami is a real mountain in Shiga Prefecture (near Lake Biwa). It is also known as 'Mikami-yama' and is associated with many legends, including this one about the centipede.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat does Tōta Fujiwara do when he sees the giant snake on the bridge?
- He screams and runs away.
- He calmly walks over the snake's back.
- He attacks the snake with his sword.
- He talks to the snake politely.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the honorific and humble language used in the dragon king's speech to understand social hierarchy.
Read a sample in Japanese
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