Learn Japanese by reading Shojoji Temple's Tanuki Bayashi! / Japanese Learning Support LLC
Let's read a story called Tanuki Bayashi of Shojoji Temple.
Last time, we introduced part 1, and today we will introduce part 2.
Summary of the previous episode ↓
Once upon a time, there was a temple called Shojoji. A tanuki would appear disguised as a ghost here, so people were afraid to go near it.
However, one unusual monk came to Shojo Temple.
The tanukis turn into ghosts and leave to scare the priest, but...
So, what will happen next?
If you want to read the whole of "Shojoji Temple's Tanuki Bayashi" part 1, click here ↓
https://nihongojikan.jp/blog/20240414-4265/
"Tanukibayashi of Shojoji Temple" part 2
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.
The tanuki were surprised, but after eating the rice cakes and drinking the tea that the priest had given them, they quickly went home.
When the tanuki boss heard this, he became angry.
Tanuki Boss: "You're not surprised when I appear in disguise? What's up with that monk? I'll play some more pranks on you then!"
That night, while the priest was sleeping soundly, he heard a loud noise in the garden.
When the priest looked into the garden, he saw a large group of tanuki gathered there, beating their belly drums and singing loudly.
♪ Pon poko pon ♪
This is so noisy I can't seem to get any sleep .
Priest: "Haha! Sounds fun! Let me in too!"
The priest ran into the garden, came to the tanuki and began to beat his belly.
♪ Pon poko pon ♪
Hearing the monk drumming, the tanukis also drummed their bellies loudly, so as not to be outdone.
Tanuki: "Don't lose to the monk! Hit him some more!"
The priest doesn't seem to mind the tanuki and continues to sing and dance happily.
How much time has passed?
One of the raccoons suddenly cried out.
Tanuki: "Ouch!!"
When everyone looked, they saw that the raccoon had hit his stomach so hard that it was bright red.
Priest: "Oh my, this is terrible. Let me carry it into the temple."
The priest took the tanuki into his room and applied medicine to its stomach.
After that, the tanuki boss fell in love with the monk, and the other tanuki also became friends with him.
Nowadays, it seems that everyone enjoys belly-drumming together in the Shojoji Temple garden every evening.
How was it.
It's a very cute story.
Now, I'd like to pick out one grammar point that came up in the story and introduce it to you.
The grammar this time is "unlikely."
When the priest is unable to sleep, the sentence appears, "It's so noisy, I don't think I'll be able to sleep at all."
What does "unlikely" mean?
"It's unlikely" "It's unlikely"
It expresses that something is probably not possible or there is a low chance of it being possible.
Sample1 Oh no! It doesn't look like the rain is going to stop.
Sample2 I have so much work that I don't think I'll be able to finish it today.
Sample3 Tanaka-san is always sleeping in class. At this rate, he's unlikely to pass the exam.
Sample4 I'm feeling a little unwell and don't think I'll be able to go on the hike tomorrow, so come and have fun with me everyone!
Remove the "masu" form of the verb and add "not likely" or "not likely."
It is used to describe the speaker's judgment based on their observation of the situation.
For example, in Sample 1, "It doesn't look like the rain is going to stop," means that the speaker sees that the rain is pouring down and judges that, under these circumstances, it is unlikely that the rain will stop anytime soon.
So be careful when talking about things you've heard from others or about someone's skills.
If you have heard from others that the chances of doing something are low,
"It doesn't look like the rain will stop today."
"Mr. X isn't feeling well so he probably won't be able to go hiking tomorrow."
In this way, you can convey that you heard it from someone else by adding something like "seems," "because," or "he said" at the end of the sentence.
Also, when you want to say that someone has no skills or potential,
"Tanaka-san is so thin, I don't think he could do sumo."
It would be better to use "nasou" (not likely).
If you want to use "unlikely"
"Tanaka-san hasn't participated in practice at all, so it looks like we won't win the next game either."
In this way, it can be used when the speaker looks at the current situation (Tanaka hasn't practiced) and wants to say that they don't think ~ can be done.
Well, today we talked about part 2 of Shojoji Temple's Tanuki Bayashi and the grammar of "it doesn't seem like..."
By the way, the "bayashi" in "Tanukibayashi" is written in kanji as "hayashi" (music accompaniment) and not "bayashi" (forest).
"Hayashi" is a genre of traditional Japanese music that is often performed at festivals. It is lively music that uses drums and flutes.
The name "Tanuki Bayashi" comes from the fact that the tanuki was beating its belly like a drum.
Well, that's all for today.
See you in the next blog!
