善悪両面鼠小僧The Two-Faced Rat Thief

What you'll learn

The thief Nezumi Kozo hides in a pine tree, having sneaked into the Hosokawa mansion. He becomes infatuated with Princess Noshin after seeing her sleeping. He is discovered and escapes, but later returns to confront the princess.

The Hosokawa retainers chase Nezumi Kozo but are stopped by police officer Gunjiro, who pretends the fleeing man is a fishmonger named Jirokichi. Gunjiro hints at gambling in the mansion and sends them back.

Princess Noshin goes to Ueno for cherry blossom viewing with attendants. She leaves her group and is attacked by ruffians, but is saved by a handsome samurai in a deep straw hat. Later, the ruffians are paid by the same samurai, who is actually ugly.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• 〜ておいでなさる N2Honorific form of 〜ている (to be doing), used to show respect to the subject. Often seen in historical or formal contexts.
  ブルブル顫えておいでなさる。
• 〜でござる N1Archaic polite form of 〜です/である. Used by samurai and in historical speech.
  「曲者！」という女性の声でござる。

Cultural notes

• 鼠小僧 (Nezumi Kozo)A famous Japanese folk thief from the Edo period, known for stealing from daimyo and sharing with the poor. The name means 'Rat Boy' and he is often depicted as a Robin Hood-like figure.
• 細川侯 (Hosokawa Clan)The Hosokawa clan was a powerful samurai family ruling Kumamoto domain (540,000 koku). The story mentions Hosokawa Etchu no Kami, the daimyo, and his residence in Shiba.
• 吉利支丹 (Kirishitan)Term for Christians in Japan during the Edo period, when Christianity was banned. The drug Jirokichi uses is said to come from foreigners, hinting at foreign influence.

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Topics

Short Storyhistoricalcomedythieveryinfatuationsuspensefulhumorousaozora bunko