Let's read the story "Tanukibayashi of Shojoji Temple"! / Japanese Learning Support LLC
Let's read a story called Tanukibayashi of Shojoji Temple.
This story is a tanuki legend from a temple called Shojoji in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture.
There is also a children's song called "Tanuki Bayashi of Shojoji Temple."
If you're interested, please give it a listen.
Today, let's practice reading while enjoying stories in Japanese.
This is a long story, so I will divide it into part 1 and part 2.
"Tanukibayashi of Shojoji Temple" part 1
Once upon a time, there was a temple called Shojoji deep in the mountains.
The place was dark and creepy even during the day, so no one went near it.
There were many tanuki in the mountains, and they were always disguised as something and causing trouble at Shojo Temple, or making loud noises late at night, so there was no priest at Shojo Temple.
And before long, everyone came to call Shojo Temple the "Ghost Temple."
One day, a high-ranking village monk heard this story and said he would come to Shojoji Temple.
The priest immediately went to Shojo Temple and began chanting sutras.
When the tanuki heard this,
Tanuki: "Oh! It looks like a new priest has arrived! Let's go and scare him a bit!"
Saying this, he transformed into Hitotsume Kozou and Rokurokubi and entered the temple.
*Threaten...surprise
*Hitotsume Kozou: a child ghost with only one eye
* Rokurokubi: a ghost with a long, slithering neck like a snake
When the priest saw the tanuki that had turned into a ghost, he screamed, "Aaaaaah!" and ran away.
Tanuki: "Hahaha! He ran away!"
Seeing the monk's panicked state, the tanuki started laughing and beating their bellies.
※Beating your belly drum...beating your belly like a drum
A few days later, another priest came to Shojo Temple.
This priest was a strange man, and for some reason he took a liking to Shojoji Temple.
Priest: "I really like this quiet and dark atmosphere."
Seeing the new priest, the tanuki laughed again.
Tanuki: "Hahaha! Another new monk has arrived! Let's scare him !"
The tanuki again transformed into Hitotsume Kozo and Rokurokubi and appeared before the priest.
The priest was not surprised at all when he saw the ghostly tanuki.
Priest: "Oh my, what a cute boy! Would you like some mochi?"
said.
And then, look at Rokurokubi.
Priest: "Another beautiful young lady. Would you like some tea?"
said.
How was it.
It's a story about a mischievous raccoon and a monk.
So, what will happen to the new monk and the raccoon?
We will continue with part 2, so please take a look at that as well.
Now, let me introduce you to one grammar point that came up in the story.
This time it's "I'll do it."
You all learned the grammar "I will buy a toy for my grandchild" in beginner's level.
Here, it is used to mean a person of higher rank doing something for a person of lower rank.
In this case, "-te yaru" has the same form, but the meaning is slightly different.
In the story, the tanuki says, "I'll scare them!", which expresses the speaker's strong determination, will, anger, etc.
You are thinking of doing something bad to the other person.
In other words, I had a strong desire to absolutely scare (surprise) the priest!!
"-te yaru" can also be used in this way.
Sample1 This year, I'm going to pass the JLPT N1 exam!!
Sample2 My piano teacher told me I have no talent, but I'll practice more and definitely get better!
Sample3 Although this contract failed, I'm sure I'll succeed next time!
Sample 4 Ah! I'm so pissed! I'm getting a divorce!
Sample 5 At first, I thought about quitting this company, but as I continued working there, my feelings gradually changed.
It can be used in both positive and negative situations.
It expresses a strong feeling of "I must do this!" or anger.
It expresses a very strong feeling or will, so it is not used when talking about everyday plans.
〇 I'm planning to go on a trip to Hokkaido this weekend! / I want to go!
△ I'm going on a trip to Hokkaido this weekend!
It is generally used in casual situations and usually ends in the plain form "I'll do it!", but it can also be said in the masu form, "I'll do it!", as in Sample 3.
It's okay to speak this way if you're talking to a close colleague or senior colleague, but it may be better not to use the masu form in front of customers.
Well, today I talked about the story "Tanuki Bayashi of Shojoji Temple" and the sentence pattern "~te yaru."
I hope you enjoyed today's lesson.
Have you applied for the July JLPT?
For those who are determined to pass this year, there are only three months left until July, so study hard!
Well, that's all for today.
See you in the next blog!!
