作品Free Graded Reading
梅のにおいThe Scent of Plum Blossoms
Ume no Nioi
by 夢野 久作 · Yumeno Kyūsaku
JLPT N3Short StoryClassical / archaicQuiz ready
A cat tries to trick a nightingale under the guise of appreciating plum blossoms.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA spotted cat, mimicking humans, climbs a plum tree and sniffs flowers but finds the scent unremarkable. It then encounters a warbler and attempts to lure it closer with flattery, but the warbler sees through the trick and flies away, causing the cat to fall.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 40/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 斑猫 (まだらねこ) | spotted cat (calico or tortoiseshell cat) |
|---|---|
| 鶯 (うぐいす) | Japanese bush warbler |
| 嗅ぐ (かぐ) | to sniff, to smell |
| 猫なで声 (ねこなでごえ) | a coaxing or wheedling voice (literally 'cat-stroking voice') |
| 蕾 (つぼみ) | flower bud |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てみる N4Indicates trying to do an action to see the result. Often translated as 'try doing'.嗅いでみました。
- ～たら N4Conditional form meaning 'if/when' something happens. It can also express surprise or discovery.嗅いでみたら、つまらないにおいじゃないか。
- ～おう (volitional) N4Volitional form expressing intention or invitation. 'Let's' or 'I will'.帰ろう帰ろう。
- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion of an action, often with a nuance of regret or that something was done unintendedly.ドタリと地べたへ落ちてしまいました。
- ～ようだ N4Indicates appearance or resemblance. 'Seems like', 'looks like', or 'as if'.いい心持ちになって、歌がうたいたくなるようです。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Cats and Warblers in Japanese LiteratureCats often appear as clever, sometimes deceitful characters in Japanese folk tales. The warbler (uguisu) is a beloved bird whose song heralds spring, often associated with plum blossoms (ume), creating a classic poetic pairing.
- Cat-Stroking Voice (猫なで声)The phrase 'neko nade goe' (cat-stroking voice) describes a sweet, coaxing tone used to persuade someone, similar to petting a cat. It reflects the cat's manipulative nature in this story.
- Plum Blossoms and WarblersPlum blossoms (ume) and the Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) are iconic symbols of early spring in Japanese poetry and art. Their combination evokes seasonal beauty and renewal.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy does the cat decide to go home after smelling the flowers?
- The flowers were too difficult to reach.
- The flowers smelled boring.
- The cat was afraid of the warbler.
- The cat wanted to eat the flowers.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipBreak down long sentences by identifying particles like は, が, を, に to find grammatical roles.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese一匹の斑猫が人間の真似をして梅の木にのぼって花を嗅いでみました。あの枝からこの枝、花から蕾といくつもいくつも嗅いでみましたが、「ナアーンダ、人間がいいにおいだ、いいにおいだと言うから本当にして嗅いでみたら、つまらないにおいじゃないか。馬鹿馬鹿しい、帰ろう帰ろう」と樹から降りかかりました。「ホーホケキョ、ホーホケキョ」「オヤ、鶯がやって来たな。おれは一度あいつをたべてみたいと思っていたが、ちょうどいい。ここに隠れてまっていてやろう」「ホーホケキョ、ホーホケキョ、ケキョ、ケキョ、ケキョ、ケキョ、ケキョ」と言ううちに鶯は、斑のいる梅の木のすぐそばにある梅の花のたくさん開いたほそい枝の処へ、ヒョイととまりました。「鶯さん鶯さん」と猫なでごえで呼びかけました。「オヤ斑さん、今日はいいお天気ですね」「ニャーニャー、ホントにいいお天気ですね。それにこの梅の花のにおいのいいこと。
Read the full text with furigana + instant lookups in Yomimaru →
Topics
More N3 reads
