手紙　四The Fourth Letter

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

The narrator prints and distributes a letter asking for information about Pose, a little girl. The letter recounts how her brother Chunse bullied her, then she fell ill and died. After her death, Chunse regrets his actions and searches for her, but a mysterious voice tells him he must seek the true happiness of all beings through the Lotus Sutra.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てばかりいる N4Expresses that someone is always doing something (often negative nuance).
  チュンセがさっぱりごはんもたべないで毎日考えてばかりいるのです
• ～ておく N4Indicates an action is done in advance or leaves something in a state.
  ポーセの靴に甲虫を飼って、二月もそれをかくしておいたり
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often with regret or finality.
  学校も六年でさがってしまいました

Cultural notes

• Lotus Sutra (ナムサダルマプフンダリカサスートラ)This is a Buddhist mantra from the Lotus Sutra, a key Mahayana Buddhist text. It emphasizes the possibility of enlightenment for all beings. Its mention here suggests the story has a Buddhist moral about universal compassion and interconnectedness.
• Japanese Sibling DynamicsThe story depicts a classic sibling relationship with teasing and bullying (ijiiwaru). In Japanese culture, the older sibling (ani/onee-san) is expected to be protective, but here Chunse is mean to Pose. This contrast highlights his later regret and transformation.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storychildrenguiltfamilymelancholyheartwarmingaozora bunko〜ておくte oku · do in advance〜てしまうte shimau · ended up (regret)