作品Free Graded Reading
闇汁図解Illustration of the Dark Stew
Yamijiru Zukai
by 正岡 子規 · Masaoka Shiki
JLPT N2ArticleClassical / archaicQuiz ready
A hilarious account of friends making a bizarre stew.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe narrator describes the events of a 'Dark Soup Party' held in Meiji 32, from the initial gathering and preparation to the chaotic eating and eventual departure. The account is filled with humorous observations about the participants and their behaviour.
Language difficultyExpert · 85/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 闇汁 (やみじる) | dark soup; a party where ingredients are thrown into a pot in the dark |
|---|---|
| くすくす | giggling, snickering |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～を以て N1A classical/literary phrase meaning 'by means of' or 'using something as a tool'.一、準備出來る迄に一會催すべしとの議出づ。座上柿あり、柿を以て題とす。
- ～ぬ（古典打消し） N1Classical negative ending (modern Japanese ～ない). Often used in literary writing.物無く句無し。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 闇汁会 (Dark Soup Party)A Meiji-era social event where participants each bring ingredients and throw them into a large pot in the dark. The resulting stew is eaten together. It was inspired by a Chinese poem and became a popular pastime among literary circles.
- 鳴雪翁 (Meisetsu?)Nakamura Meisetsu (鳴雪) was a haiku poet and a student of Masaoka Shiki. He was known for his wit and humor. In this text, he provides comic relief with his remarks.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat event is described in this text?
- A formal tea ceremony
- A dark soup party (闇汁会)
- A poetry reading
- A cooking competition
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to classical verb endings like ～ぬ, ～たまふ, ～す (for する).
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese一、時は明治三十二年十月二十一日午後四時過、所は保等登藝須発行所、人は初め七人、後十人半、半はマー坊である。一、闇汁の催しに群議一決して、客も主も各物買いに出る。取り残された私一人、横に長くなって寂しげに人々の帰りを待つ。一、遅ればせに来られた鳴雪翁、持ち寄りと聞いて、慌ただしく出かけられた。出がけに「下駄の歯が出て来ても良いのですか」と冗談一つ。一、一人帰り二人帰り、直に台所に入って、自ら洗い自ら切る。時にクスクスと忍び笑う声、忽ちハハハハハとどよみ笑う声。一、準備が出来るまでに一会を催そうとの提案が出た。座には柿があり、柿を以て題とする。鳴雪翁曰く「十句の時はきっと句が失せます」と。果たしてその通りだった。一、飄亭、青々遅れて着いた。持参品もなく、句もなかった。
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