作品Free Graded Reading
盗難The Theft
Tōnan
by 江戸川 乱歩 · Edogawa Ranpo
A clever thief turns a simple theft into a baffling mystery.
About this story
About this storyA former religious follower recounts an incredible true experience that could inspire a detective story.
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): 「江戸川乱歩全集 第1巻 屋根裏の散歩者」光文社文庫、光文社
2004（平成16）年7月20日初版1刷発行
2012（平成24）年8月15日7刷発行
Typed in by 門田裕志. Proofread by 江村秀之.
Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.
The furigana are Yomimaru's.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator introduces himself and his background working at a religious church, describes the donation theft by a fake policeman, and later spots the thief at a festival, leading to a confrontation.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 実験談 | true story/account |
|---|---|
| 寄附金 | donation money |
| 泥坊 | thief |
| 金庫 | safe (strongbox) |
| 遊行 | stroll/walk around |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality.
いつもなら、夜の説教でもない限り、もう九時頃になると寝て了うのですが、
- ～たことがある N5Indicates past experience.
あなたは御経験がありますか。
- ～かもしれない N4Expresses possibility, 'might' or 'maybe'.
ひょっとしたら、あれは顔形をかえる為のつけ髭だったのかも知れません。
- ～てあげる N4Do something for someone else (in a giving sense).
せめて警察へ丈けは届けておこうと、漸く主任を納得させて、私が行くことになりました。
- ～てくれる N4Do something for me/us (in a receiving sense).
本部にいってやった所で、多少の補助はして呉れるでしょうが、
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 天理教と金光教These are Japanese new religious movements founded in the 19th century. They are often considered 'folk Shinto' or 'sect Shinto' and have a strong emphasis on faith healing and charitable works.
- 浄土宗の寺院と祭りJōdo-shū is a major Buddhist sect in Japan. Their temples often hold annual festivals with lively markets, performances, and food stalls, as described in the text.
- 香具師Street vendors or medicine sellers at festivals, known for their persuasive sales techniques and sometimes dubious products.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat was the narrator's main reason for staying at the church for five years?
- He was a devout believer.
- He had nowhere else to go and the pay was good.
- He wanted to learn about the religion.
- He was in love with the director's wife.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the sentence-final particles like よ, ね, な to understand the speaker's attitude.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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