Japanese Reader Collection

LEARN JAPANESE WITH STORIES

Volume 3:

The Inch-High Samurai

+ Audio Download

and Kaguya-hime (The Princess Kaguya)

Clay & Yumi Boutwell

Published by Kotoba Books

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Introduction

The key to learning vocabulary is, quite simply, reading. Not only are you more likely to gain words that interest you, but you also learn them in context. The Japanese Reader Collection is designed to help make this process fun while also introducing stories important to Japanese culture and popular imagination.

FOR BEGINNERS AND UP

This ebook was made for beginners and upper beginners of Japanese, but intermediate users may find it helpful. We recommend learning hiragana first, but we are also including rōmaji and furigana (small kana over kanji) in the PDF (and paperback) version so you can be sure you are reading with the correct pronunciation.

MP3s

Included, at no extra charge, are MP3s of both stories. If the MP3s were not included when you purchased this book, please see the last screen for a download link. If you have ANY trouble downloading, please email us at help@thejapanshop.com.

ABOUT THIS eBOOK

The first story is about a tiny, yet brave samurai who ends up saving a princess and seeing his wish come true. The second story is the famous moon-princess Kaguya, who was found in a bamboo stalk. Kaguya-him is one of the oldest Japanese tales and perhaps the world’s first science fiction story.

This ebook contains several versions of each story. First, we have the story with every vocabulary word defined and explained. Next, we go through major grammatical patterns found in the story. After that, read the story with no English and in natural Japanese (see the PDF in the download link for kanji with furigana here). Lastly, we are including a simple English translation, which should be avoided until you are sure you understand the story or if you find it too difficult to figure out on your own.

You may want to try to read the story in natural Japanese first. Or if you are a beginner, it may be better to go through the vocabulary first. Any way you do it, this book offers several ways to read, listen, and learn.

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Clay & Yumi Boutwell

help@thejapanshop.com

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P.S. Please see the last screen to find the download link for the MP3s of these stories free of charge.

Contents

The Inch-High Samurai with Running Gloss

The Inch-High Samurai Grammatical Notes

The Inch-High Samurai Story (Japanese Only)

The Inch-high Samurai English Summary

Kaguya Hime with Running Gloss

Kaguya Hime Grammatical Endnotes

Kaguya Hime in Japanese

Kaguya Hime in English

Download Sound Files

一寸法師いっすんぼうし

The Inch-High Samurai with Running Gloss

むかし、むかし、あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住すんでいました。

むかしむかし mukashi mukashi—a long time ago

あるところに aru tokoro ni—in some place

おじいさん ojīsan—an old man

と to—and

おばあさん obāsan—an old woman

住んでいました sunde imashita—lived

This is a very typical opening for Japanese fairy tales similar to “Once upon a time...”

[mukashi—long time ago] the repetition makes this a very long time ago

[aru tokoro ni—in a certain place]

おじいさんとおばあさんには、子供こどもがいなかったので、神様かみさまに「子供こどもをください。」とお祈いのりしました。

には ni wa—as for (the old man and woman) [This is the particle に ni pointing to the old man and woman plus the particle は wa, the topic marker]

子供 kodomo—children

が ga—[grammar: while が normally corresponds to the English concept of subject, it can actually be the object as in 猫が好きです。 neko ga suki desu. (I) like cats.]

いなかった inakatta—didn’t have (children)

ので node—therefore; because (they didn’t have children)

神様に kamisama ni—to God

「」 Quotation marks

子供をください kodomo wo kudasai—please give us children

と to—(ends quotation) ["to" is used after quotations followed by a verb like "inoru" or  "iu."]

お祈りしました oinori shimashita—prayed

Invariably there is an "ojīsan" and an "obāsan" in these stories. Remember use "iru" for people and living things. Use "aru" for inanimate objects.

すると、とても小ちいさな男おとこの子こが生うまれました。

すると suruto—thereupon; in doing so...

とても totemo—very

小さい chīsai—small (na adjective)

小さな男の子 chīsana otoko no ko—a small boy

生まれました umaremashita—was born

小指こゆびくらいの背丈せたけしかありませんでしたから、一寸法師いっすんぼうしと名なづけられました。

小指 koyubi—pinky; small finger

くらいkurai—about

背丈 setake—stature; height

しか shika —only [used with negative verbs —ありません]

～から ~kara—because (he was only the size of a finger)

一寸法師 issun bōshi—Issunbōshi (Name) [A sun was a unit of measurement. 1 sun (which is what issun means) is about three centimeters. Bōshi means a “Buddhist priest,” but here idiomatically means “son.”]

と to—(used when marking quotes or, as here, setting off names)

名づけられました nazukeraremashita—was named

小ちいさいけれど、おじいさんとおばあさんが大事だいじに育そだてたので、とても元気げんきな若者わかものに成長せいちょうしました。

小さいけれど chīsai keredo—even though small... [chīsai (small) + keredo (although)]

大事に daiji ni—took care of

育てた sodateta—raised (a child)

ので node—therefore

とても totemo—very

元気 genki—healthy; energetic (na adjective: add na before nouns.)

若者 wakamono—youth

成長 sei chō—growth

"keredo" Although...

A more formal form of "keredo" is "keredomo" and the more common and less formal form is "kedo."

ある日ひ、一寸法師いっすんぼうしはおじいさんとおばあさんに言いいました。

ある日 aru hi—one day

～に言いました ~ni īmashita—said to... [The ni shows to whom Issunbōshi was speaking.]

「私わたしは、都みやこに行いってえらくなりたいのです。どうか、都みやこへ行いかせてください。」

私 watashi—I

都 miyako—capital (city)

～に行って ~ni itte—go to ~

えらく eraku—great; famous

なりたい naritai—want to...

行ってえらくなりたい itte eraku naritai—go and want to become great

のです no desu—(This is an ender often used when explaining or giving reasons for something. He wants to go to the city because he wants to become great.)

どうか dōka—please (let me); I beg of you

行かせてください ikasete kudasai—please let me go

おじいさんとおばあさんは、おわんとはしと針はりを一寸法師いっすんぼうしに渡わたしました。「これで都みやこへ行いきなさい。」

おわん owan—bowl

と to—and

はし hashi—chopsticks

針 hari—needle (Issunbōshi’s sword)

渡しました watashimashita—gave; handed over

これで kore de—with this

都へ行きなさい miyako e ikinasai—go to the capital [Verbs with the "nasai" ending are imperative (Do...). This form is often used by parents or teachers to children.]

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、はりの刀かたなを腰こしにさし、おわんの船ふねにのって、はしをかいにして川かわをのぼっていきました。

はり hari—needle

針の刀 hari no katana—a needle for a sword

腰 koshi—lower back; waist

さし sashi—insert (sword into the scabbard)

おわんの船 owan no fune—a bowl as a boat

のって notte—get on; ride [乗る noru to ride]

はしをかいにして hashi wo kai ni shite—chopsticks for oars

川 kawa—river

川をのぼる kawa wo noboru—to go up a river

都みやこに着つくと、一寸法師いっすんぼうしは大臣だいじんの家いえにいきました。

着く tsuku—arrive

都に着くと miyako ni tsuku to—upon arriving to the city

大臣 dai jin—nobleman [Today "daijin" is a Cabinet Minister in the Japanese government. For this story set in long ago Japan, daijin meant a nobleman associated with the emperor.]

家 ie—house

~にいきました ~ni ikimashita—went to~

「私わたしを家来けらいにしてください。」

家来 kerai—retainer; servant ["kerai" - Retainer; it was common for masterless samurai to seek employment.]

私を家来にしてください watashi wo kerai ni shite kudasai—please make me a retainer

大臣だいじんは、一寸法師いっすんぼうしがたいそう小ちいさいので、びっくりしましたが、とても元気げんきがいいので、家来けらいにすることにしました。

大臣 dai jin—nobleman

たいそう taisou—very

小さい chīsai—small

ので node—therefore

びっくり bikkuri—surprise

が ga—but

とても totemo—very

元気がいい genki ga ii—energetic; enthusiastic

家来にすることにしました kerai ni suru koto ni shimashita—became a retainer

ある日ひ、大臣だいじんの娘むすめのお姫ひめ様さまがお寺てらにお参まいりに行いくことになりました。

ある日 aru hi—one day

大臣 dai jin—nobleman

娘 musume—daughter

大臣の娘 dai jin no musume—the nobleman’s daughter

お姫様 o himesama—princess; daughter of a nobleman

大臣の娘のお姫さま daijin no musume no ohime sama—the nobleman’s daughter, the princess [The の no particle can seem to be both straightforward (as in indicating the possessive like our apostrophe ‘s) and confusing as in this double construction. However, think of の as being like glue. It takes two smaller noun phrases and turns it into a large one. So, we are talking about the nobleman’s daughter who is a princess.]

お寺に otera ni—to a temple

お参りに omairi ni—in order to make a visit to a shrine

行くこと iku koto—going [The こと turns the verb into a noun phrase.]

になりましたni narimashita—became; it turned out this way

「お参まいりの帰かえり道みちに鬼おににあったら、どうしましょう。」

お参り omairi—to make a visit to a shrine

帰り道 kaeri michi—return trip; way back home [The の no tells us it is a return trip from a shrine visit.]

鬼 oni—ogre; demon

あったら attara—if came across (an ogre)

どうしましょう dōshimashō—what should we do?

お姫ひめ様さまが心配しんぱいそうに言いいました。

お姫様 o hime sama—princess

が ga—[grammar: subject marker; sets princess as the subject of the sentence.]

心配 shinpai—worry

心配そう shinpai sō—in a worried way [The "~sō" means “looks like” or “in such a way”; other common words: かわいそう kawaisō—poor; pitiful; いたそう itasō—it looks painful]

言いました īmashita—said

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、「大丈夫だいじょうぶです。私わたしがあなたをお守まもりします。」

大丈夫 daijōbu—all right; OK

私 watashi—I

が ga—subject marker [Telling us who will do the protecting.]

あなた anata—you

お守りします omamorishimasu—protect

あなたをお守りします anata wo omamorishimasu—(I) will protect you.

そこで、一寸法師いっすんぼうしを連つれて、お姫ひめ様さまはお参まいりに出でかけることにしました。

そこで soko de—so...; then...

連れて tsurete—leading (the princess)

お参り omairi—to make a visit to a shrine

出かけること dekakeru koto—leaving

にしましたni shimashita—decided upon; did; it was decided that (Issunbōshi should go)

お参まいりの帰かえり道みち、大おおきな鬼おにが突然とつぜん現あらわれて、

お参りの o mairi no—shrine’s visit

帰り道 kaeri michi—return trip; way back home

大きい ōkii—big [na adjective; drop the –i and add a –na before nouns.]

大きな鬼 ōkina oni—a big ogre

突然 totsuzen—suddenly

現れて arawarete—appeared

「うまそうな娘むすめだ。食たべてやろう。」と、言いいました。

うまそう umasō—looks delicious

娘 musume—daughter; girl

だ da—the plain form of the copula desu.

食べてやろう tabete yarō—(I’ll) eat you

と to—used to mark off quotes and is followed by speech words like īmasu (to speak).

言いました īmashita—said

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、「お姫ひめ様さま、大丈夫だいじょうぶです。私わたしがこの鬼おにをやっつけてしまいましょう。」と、言いいました。

一寸法師は issunbōshi wa—as for Issunbōshi... [Sets Issunbōshi as the topic.]

大丈夫です daijōbu desu—It’s OK.

私が watashi ga—I [The ga sets watashi as the subject of the sentence: I will defeat the oni.]

この鬼 kono oni—this ogre

やっつけて yattsukete—beat; defeat

やっつけてしまいましょう yattsukete shimaimashō—I’ll take care of (the ogre) [The しまいましょう shows completion (completely get rid of the oni) and confidence.]

と to—used to mark off quotes and is followed by words like īmasu (to speak).

言いました īmashita—said

鬼おには、大笑おおわらいして、「小ちいさな小僧こぞう、お前まえから食たべてやろう。」と言いって、

鬼 oni—ogre; demon

は wa—[topic marker; hiragana ha, but pronounced wa]

大笑い ōwarai—huge laughter; burst of laughter [Sticking an "ō" in front of words multiplies the effect.  Sometimes it is pronounced "dai" as in "dai kirai" - Strongly dislike or "dai suki" - Strongly like.]

小さい chīsai—small [na adjective]

小僧 kozou—young boy

お前 omae—you

お前から omae kara—from you; you first

食べてやろう tabete yarō—I’ll eat

と言って to itte—saying that...

あっという間まに一寸法師いっすんぼうしをつまみ上あげ、一口ひとくちで飲のみ込こんでしまいました。

あっという間に a tto iu ma ni—in the blink of an eye [lit. In the time it takes to say “ah.”]

つまみ上げ tsumami age—grab and raise (to eat)

一口 hitokuchi—in one gulp; bite

で de—with (one gulp)

飲み込んで nomi konde—gulped down [Compound verb: 飲む nomu (to drink) + 込む komu (to come together; crowd in)]

一口で飲み込んでしまいました  hitokuchi de nomikonde shimaimashita—unfortunately swallowed (him) in one gulp [The shimaimashita shows completion often with regret.]

ところが、一寸法師いっすんぼうしは鬼おにのおなかの中なかを、針はりの刀かたなでちくちくと刺さしたものだから、鬼おにはたいへんです。

ところが tokoro ga—however

鬼の oni no—the ogre’s

おなか onaka—stomach

おなかの中 onaka no naka—inside the stomach

針の刀 hari no katana—the needle sword; the sword that was a needle

で de—(using the needle)

ちくちくと chiku chiku to—the effect of pricking

刺した sashita—pierced; stabbed

だから dakara—therefore

たいへんです taihen desu—is troubled

「いてててて。こりゃ、おなかが痛いたくてかなわん。」

いてててて itetetete—augh [sound of being in pain]

こりゃ korya—Hey!

おなか onaka—stomach

痛くてかなわん itakute kanawan—so painful it is hard to stand

鬼おには、一寸法師いっすんぼうしを吐はき出だすと、大急おおいそぎで逃にげていきました。

鬼は oni wa—As for the ogre [Sets oni as the topic.]

一寸法師を issunbōshi wo—Issunbōshi [Sets Issunbōshi as the direct object (the person thrown up)]

吐き出す haki dasu—throw up; spit out

大急ぎで ōisogi de—in a great hurry

逃げていきました nigete ikimashita—ran away

お姫ひめ様さまは大喜おおよろこびです。

お姫様 ohime sama—princess; daughter of a nobleman

大喜び ōyorokobi—great joy

「ありがとう、一寸法師いっすんぼうし。あなたは小ちいさいけれど、とても勇気ゆうきと知恵ちえがあるのね。」

ありがとう arigatō—thank you

あなた anata—you

小さい chīsai—small

けれど keredo—but

とても totemo—very

勇気 yūki—bravery

と to—and

知恵 chie—wisdom

勇気と知恵があるのね yūki to chie ga aru no ne—(You) are brave and wise, aren’t you!

そして、ふとあたりをみると、なんでも願ねがいがかなうという打うち出でのこづちが落おちていました。

そして soshite—and then...

ふとあたり futo atari—by chance (looking) around [ふと futo (suddenly; accidentally) + あたり atari (the vicinity; nearby)]

みると miru to—looking... and...

なんでも nandemo—whatever

願い negai—a wish

かなう kanau—come true

なんでも願いがかなう nandemo negai ga kanau—make any wish come true

という to iu—such a...

打ち出のこづち  uchi de no kozuchi—oni’s small mallet ["uchi de no kozuchi" is the name of the ogre’s magic hammer.  This is similar to Aladdin’s lamp in that it grants wishes.]

落ちていました ochite imashita—was fallen

「あら、こんなところに打うち出でのこづちがおちているわ。あの鬼おにが落おとして行いったのね。」

あら ara—ah!

こんなところに konna tokoro ni—at such a spot as this

打ち出のこづち uchi de no kozuchi—a small mallet  (ogre’s magic hammer)

おちている ochite iru—dropped

わ wa—[feminine ending]

あの ano—that

鬼 oni—ogre; demon

落として行った otoshite itta—dropped and left... [Compound verb: 落とす otosu (to drop) + 行く iku (to go)]

お姫ひめ様さまはそのこづちを拾ひろい上あげました。そして、一寸法師いっすんぼうしに言いいました。

お姫様 ohime sama—princess

その sono—that

拾い上げました hiroi agemashita—picked up...

そして soshite—and then...

言いました īmashita—said (to Issunbōshi)

To simply say, “she picked up” "hiroimashita" would have been sufficient, but adding the "ageru" (lift up) makes the action more complete: Picked and lifted up...

「このこづちをふると、なんでも願ねがいがかなうと言いいます。あなたの願ねがいをかなえてあげましょう。」

この kono—this

こづち kozuchi—a mallet; gavel

ふると furu to—upon swinging; if you shake it

なんでも nandemo—anything

願い negai—wish

かなう kanau—come true

といいます to īmasu—it is said (that the mallet will make your wish come true)

あなたの願い anata no negai—your wish

かなえてあげましょう kanaete agemashou—let’s make your wish come true

そこで、一寸法師いっすんぼうしはお姫ひめ様さまにお願ねがいしました。

そこで soko de—so, then; thereupon

お姫様に ohimesama ni—(asked a favor) to the princess

お願いしました onegai shimashita—asked a favor

「お姫ひめ様さま、私わたしの背せを高たかくしてください。」

お姫様 ohime sama—princess

私の watashi no—my

背 se—height; stature [The を wo sets his height as the direct object (that what is acted upon)]

高くして takaku shite—make taller

ください kudasai—please (make me taller)

お姫ひめ様さまがこづちをふると、一寸法師いっすんぼうしはあっという間まに背せの高たかいりっぱな若者わかものになりました。

こづちをふると kozuchi wo furu to—upon swinging the  mallet...

あっという間に a tto iu ma ni—in the blink of an eye [lit. In the time it takes to say “ah.” We used this same construction when the ogre swallowed Issunbōshi.]

背の高い se no takai—tall (man)

りっぱ rippa—great; splendid

若者 wakamono—youth; young person

～になりました ~ni narimashita—became...

大臣だいじんは、この話はなしを聞きくと、大喜おおよろこびして一寸法師いっすんぼうしに言いいました。

大臣daijin—nobleman

この話 kono hanashi—this story

聞くと kiku to—upon hearing it...

大喜び ō yorokobi—great joy

大喜びして一寸法師に言いました ō yorokobi shite issunbōshi ni īmashita—with great joy he said to Issunbōshi...

「どうか、この姫ひめと結婚けっこんしておくれ。」

どうか dōka—please; I beg you

この姫 kono hime—our princess [lit. This princess]

と to—with

結婚しておくれ kekkon shite okure—please marry...

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、おじいさんとおばあさんを都みやこに呼よび、お姫ひめ様さまと結婚けっこんして、幸しあわせに暮くらしました。

おじいさんとおばあさん ojīsan to obāsan—the old man and woman

都 miyako—capital; city

呼び yobi—call

都に呼び miyako ni yobi—call to the city [The に ni shows what direction they were called (to the capital)]

お姫様と結婚して o himesama to kekkon shite—marrying the princess and...

幸せに shiawase ni—in happiness

暮らしました kurashimashita—lived

幸せに暮らしました shiawase ni kurashimashita—lived in happiness; happily ever after

おしまい

おしまい oshimai—the end

The Inch-High Samurai Grammatical Notes

一寸法師 issunbōshi

A sun was a unit of measurement. 1 sun (which is what issun means) is about three centimeters. Bōshi means a “Buddhist priest,” but here idiomatically means “son.”

1) むかし、むかし、あるところに

This is a very typical opening for Japanese fairy tales similar to “Once upon a time...”

むかし [mukashi—long time ago] the repetition makes this a very long time ago

あるところに [aru tokoro ni—in a certain place]

2) おじいさんとおばあさんが住すんでいました

An おじいさん andおばあさん is a common motif in these stories. Remember use いる with living things and ある with non-animate objects.

3) おじいさんとおばあさんには

には ni wa—As for (the old man and woman...)

These are the particles に ni  and は wa.

4) 子供こどもがいなかったので、

ので node—therefore; used before an explanatory sentence or phrase.

5) 「子供こどもをください。」とお祈いのりしました

と is used after quotations followed by a sound or speech verb like 祈る or  言う: 「」と言いました。

6) 小指こゆびくらいの背丈せたけしかありませんでした

しか shika—only; this is always followed by a negative verb as in ありません here.

7) 一寸法師いっすんぼうしと名なづけられました

Like the entry above (endnote #5), と to is used to mark off quotes or, as here, set off. And he was named, “Issunboushi.”

8) 小ちいさいけれど

けれど keredo—although...

A more formal form of けれど is けれども and the more common and less formal form is けど.

9) 都みやこに行いってえらくなりたいのです

のです no desu is often used in explanatory sentences. He wants to go to the city because he wants to become great.

10) 都みやこへ行いきなさい

Verbs with the なさい nasai ending are imperative (a command) and is often used by parents or teachers when speaking to children.

11) 大臣だいじんの家いえにいきました

Today, the word 大臣 daijin refers to a Cabinet Minister in the Japanese government. For this story set in long-ago Japan, it is a nobleman associated with the emperor.

12) 私わたしを家来けらいにしてください

家来 kerai—retainer; it was common for masterless samurai to seek employment.

13) 鬼おににあったら

～たら ~tara If...

14) どうしましょう

どうしましょう dōshimashou—what should we (I) do?

A very useful word often used.

15) 心配しんぱいそう

～そう ~sō—looks like; in such a way

Other common words: かわいそう kawaisō Poor, pitiful; いたそう itasō It looks painful

16) あなたをお守まもりします

を wo is the direct object marker and is usually pronounced wo but can also be pronounced o.

お o is the honorific prefix for 守る.

17) うまそうな娘むすめだ

See endnote #15; this girl looks tasty!

18) 鬼おには、大笑おおわらいして

大笑い ōwarai—big laughter

Sticking an 大 in front of words multiplies the effect. Sometimes, it is pronounced dai as in 大嫌い dai kirai (strongly dislike) or 大好き dai suki (strongly like) and sometimes it is like 大笑い and pronounced with the ō reading.

19) 鬼おにのおなかの中なかを

The を wo makes this phrase the object of the stabbing.

20) 大急おおいそぎで逃にげていきました

大急ぎ ō isogi Very fast (see endnote #18)

21) お姫ひめ様さまは大喜おおよろこびです

大喜び ō yorokobi Great joy (see endnote #18)

22) 打うち出でのこづち

This is the name of the ogre’s magic hammer that grants wishes.

23) そのこづちを拾ひろい上あげました

To simply say “she picked up,” 拾いました hiroimashita would have been sufficient, but adding the 上げる ageru (lift up) makes the action more complete: Picked and lifted up...

24) 一寸法師いっすんぼうしに言いいました

She said to Issunbōshi. Use the particle に to show who receives the message.

25) この姫ひめと結婚けっこんしておくれ

おくれ okure—please do (take the princess as a wife).

The Inch-High Samurai Story (Japanese Only)

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むかし、むかし、あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住すんでいました。

おじいさんとおばあさんには、子供こどもがいなかったので、神様かみさまに「子供こどもをください。」とお祈いのりしました。すると、とても小ちいさな男おとこの子こが生うまれました。小指こゆびくらいの背丈せたけしかありませんでしたから、 一寸法師いっすんぼうしと名なづけられました。小ちいさいけれど、おじいさんとおばあさんが大事だいじに育そだてたので、とても元気げんきな若者わかものに成長せいちょうしました。

ある日ひ、一寸法師いっすんぼうしはおじいさんとおばあさんに言いいました。

「私わたしは、都みやこに行いってえらくなりたいのです。どうか、都みやこへ行いかせてください。」

おじいさんとおばあさんは、おわんとはしと針はりを一寸法師いっすんぼうしに渡わたしました。「これで都みやこへ行いきなさい。」

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、はりの刀かたなを腰こしにさし、おわんの船ふねにのって、はしをかいにして川かわをのぼっていきました。

都みやこに着つくと、一寸法師いっすんぼうしは大臣だいじんの家いえにいきました。

「私わたしを家来けらいにしてください。」

大臣だいじんは、一寸法師いっすんぼうしがたいそう小ちいさいので、びっくりしましたが、とても元気げんきがいいので、家来けらいにすることにしました。

ある日ひ、大臣だいじんの娘むすめのお姫ひめ様さまがお寺てらにお参まいりに行いくことになりました。

「お参まいりの帰かえり道みちに鬼おににあったら、どうしましょう。」

お姫ひめ様さまが心配しんぱいそうに言いいました。一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、「大丈夫だいじょうぶです。私わたしがあなたをお守まもりします。」

そこで、一寸法師いっすんぼうしを連つれて、お姫ひめ様さまはお参まいりに出でかけることにしました。

お参まいりの帰かえり道みち、大おおきな鬼おにが突然とつぜん現あらわれて、「うまそうな娘むすめだ。食たべてやろう。」と、言いいました。

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、「お姫ひめ様さま、大丈夫だいじょうぶです。私わたしがこの鬼おにをやっつけてしまいましょう。」と、言いいました。

鬼おには、大笑おおわらいして、「小ちいさな小僧こぞう、お前まえから食たべてやろう。」と言いって、あっという間まに一寸法師いっすんぼうしをつまみ上あげ、一口ひとくちで飲のみ込こんでしまいました。

ところが、一寸法師いっすんぼうしは鬼おにのおなかの中なかを、針はりの刀かたなでちくちくと刺さしたものだから、鬼おにはたいへんです。

「いてててて。こりゃ、おなかが痛いたくてかなわん。」

鬼おには、一寸法師いっすんぼうしを吐はき出だすと、大急おおいそぎで逃にげていきました。

お姫ひめ様さまは大喜おおよろこびです。「ありがとう、一寸法師いっすんぼうし。あなたは小ちいさいけれど、とても勇気ゆうきと知恵ちえがあるのね。」

そして、ふとあたりをみると、なんでも願ねがいがかなうという打うち出でのこづちが落ちていました。

「あら、こんなところに打うち出でのこづちがおちているわ。あの鬼おにが落おとして行いったのね。」

お姫ひめ様さまはそのこづちを拾ひろい上あげました。そして、一寸法師いっすんぼうしに言いいました。

「このこづちをふると、なんでも願ねがいがかなうといいます。あなたの願ねがいをかなえてあげましょう。」

そこで、一寸法師いっすんぼうしはお姫ひめ様さまにお願ねがいしました。

「お姫ひめ様さま、私わたしの背せを高たかくしてください。」

お姫ひめ様さまがこづちをふると、一寸法師いっすんぼうしはあっという間まに背せの高たかいりっぱな若者わかものになりました。

大臣だいじんは、この話はなしを聞きくと、大喜おおよろこびして一寸法師いっすんぼうしに言いいました。

「どうか、この姫ひめと結婚けっこんしておくれ。」

一寸法師いっすんぼうしは、おじいさんとおばあさんを都みやこに呼よび、お姫ひめ様さまと結婚けっこんして、幸しあわせに暮くらしました。

おしまい

The Inch-high Samurai English Summary

Please try to tackle the Japanese first and use this only as needed.

Once a long time ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman.

The old man and woman didn't have children, so they prayed to God, "Please give us children." Upon doing so, they had a tiny baby boy. He was nothing more than the size of one's pinky and so they named him Issunbōshi.

Even though he was small, the old man and woman raised him carefully and he became a lively youth.

One day, Issunbōshi said this to the old man and woman, "I will go to the capital and become someone great."

The old man and woman gave him a bowl, chopsticks, and a needle.

"With this, go to the capital."

Issunbōshi tied the needle sword to his side, and he used the bowl as a boat with chopsticks as oars and went down the river.

Upon reaching the capital, Issunbōshi went to the lord's house.

"Please make me a retainer to serve you!"

The lord saw that Issunbōshi was a tiny man and was surprised. But Issunbōshi was eager and he made Issunbōshi into a retainer.

One day, the lord's daughter, the princess wanted to go to the temple.

"What should do if I should meet an oni on the return trip?" the princess said worriedly.

Issunbōshi said, "It will be all right. I will protect you."

And then, taking Issunbōshi with her, the princess set out for the temple visit.

On the return trip, a large oni suddenly appeared.

"A delicious looking young girl. I think I'll eat her," it said.

Issunbōshi said, "Princess, It is all right. I will take care of this oni."

The oni burst out with laughter. "Such a small brat! I'll eat you first."

Within a split second, the oni had swallowed Issunbōshi whole.

Meanwhile inside the oni's stomach, Issunbōshi began pricking the oni with his needle sword. The oni was in extreme discomfort.

"Ouuuuch! My stomach hurts."

The oni threw up Issunbōshi and hurriedly ran away.

The princess was overjoyed. "Thank you, Issunbōshi! You are small, but very brave and smart."

And then looking around, they saw the Uchide Mallet that granted even one's grandest wish.

"Oh, here's an Uchide mallet. That oni must have left it."

The princess lifted it up and said to Issunbōshi, "If I shake this mallet, it is said any wish will come true. Let's make your wish come true."

Then, Issunbōshi asked the princess, "Princess, please make me tall."

The princess shook the mallet and in a split second, Issunbōshi became tall and a normal youth.

The lord, upon hearing the tale, was overjoyed and said unto Issunbōshi, "Please marry my daughter."

Issunbōshi called the old man and woman to the capital, married the princess, and lived happily ever after.

The end.

A hand-illustrated painting from an Edo period (1615-1868) book on Kaguya-hime, Princess Kaguya.

Kaguya Hime with Running Gloss

かぐや姫

むかし、むかし、あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住すんでいました。

むかしむかし mukashi mukashi—a long time ago

あるところに aru tokoro ni—in a certain place [ある aru shows uncertainty as in ある人 aru hito (a certain person) and ある時 aru toki (a certain time).]

おじいさん ojīsan—an old man

と to—and

おばあさん obāsan—an old woman [Japanese traditional stories often feature an old man and old woman.]

が ga—[grammar: subject marker]

住んでいました sunde imashita—lived

ある日ひ、おじいさんが竹たけを取とりに竹たけ藪やぶに行いくと、きらきらと光ひかっている竹たけが一本いっぽんありました。

ある日 aru hi—one day

竹 take—bamboo

竹を取り take wo tori—gathering bamboo

竹藪 take yabu—a bamboo grove

に ni—particle showing direction (to a bamboo grove)

行くと iku to—upon going (to a bamboo grove)

きらきらと kira kira to—glittering; sparkling

光っている hikatte iru—shining

竹 take—bamboo

一本 ippon—one stalk (of bamboo)

ありました arimashita—exists [used with inanimate objects like bamboo]

不思議ふしぎに思おもったおじいさんがその竹たけを切きってみると、

不思議 fushigi—wondrous; strange; mystery

に思った ni omotta—thought in that way (curiously)

おじいさん ojīsan—an old man

が ga—[grammar: subject marker]

その sono—that [something close to the listener (but away from speaker); in this case, the narrator is the “speaker” and the bamboo may be considered the “listener.”]

竹 take—bamboo [その竹 sono take—that bamboo]

を wo—[grammar: direct object marker]

切ってみると kitte miru to—upon cutting [~miru when added to an action verb adds the meaning of “to try something and see what happens”; So this is, “upon cutting to see what will happen.”]

中なかからなんとも愛あいらしい女おんなの子こが出でて来きました。

中から naka kara—from within

なんとも nantomo—quite; really; extremely

愛らしい airashī—charming; lovely; adorable

女の子 onna no ko—a girl

が ga—[grammar: subject marker]

出て来ました dete kimashita—came out

子供こどもがいなかったおじいさんとおばあさんは、

子供 kodomo—children

いなかった inakatta—didn’t exist

子供がいなかったおじいさん kodomo ga inakatta ojīsan—the old man (and old woman) who didn’t have children [see grammar end note #9 for more explanation.]

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この女おんなの子こを自分じぶんの子供こどもと思おもって育そだてることにしました。

この kono—this (used before nouns: “this girl”)

を wo—[grammar: direct object marker]

自分の jibun no—their own

と思って to omotte—thinking; consider ~ as ~

自分の子供と思って jibun no kodomo to omotte—considering (the girl) as their own child

育てること sodateru koto—raising a child [see grammar end note #11]

にしました ni shimashita—decided upon (taking her as their child)

この女おんなの子こは「かぐや姫ひめ」と名付なづけられて大切たいせつに育そだてられました。

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この女の子 kono onna no ko—this girl

は wa—[grammar: topic particle]

かぐや姫 kaguya hime—Princess Kaguya [her name is probably from 輝く kagayaku which means to shine or glitter]

と to—[used to mark quotations and names]

名付けられて nazukerarete—(she) was named

大切に taisetsu ni—carefully (raised the girl)

育てられました sodateraremashita—(she) was raised

さて、かぐや姫ひめはすくすくと成長せいちょうしてたいへん美うつくしい娘むすめになりました。

さて sate—well, then...

すくすくと sukusuku to—quickly; rapidly [often used with children and plants growing quickly]

成長して seichō shite—grew up

たいへん taihen—very

美しい utsukushī—beautiful

娘 musume—daughter

になりました ni narimashita—became (a beautiful daughter)

あまりに美うつくしいので、その姿すがたを見みようとする若者わかものがあとをたちません。

あまりに amari ni—too much; excessively so; too (beautiful)

ので node—therefore; because of that

姿 sugata—figure; appearance (Princess Kaguya’s)

を wo—[grammar: direct object]

見ようとする miyou to suru—to want to see

若者 wakamono—young (men) [the men who wanted to see her; note that wakamono can refer to young girls too, but with mukashi banashi and in this context, her suitors were young men.]

あとをたちません ato wo tachimasen—didn’t stop; never ceasing [あとを絶つ ato wo tatsu means “to cease” so, this is the negative of that. The young men just kept coming to see the appearance of Kaguya.]

おじいさんとおばあさんは、かぐや姫ひめを誰だれかと結婚けっこんさせようとしましたが、

おじいさんとおばあさん ojīsan to obāsan—old man and old woman

誰かと dareka to—with someone

結婚させよう kekkon saseyou—to marry (Kaguya) off

としました to shimashita—to try to (marry her off)

が ga—but; however

かぐや姫ひめはだれとも結婚けっこんするつもりがないと断ことわりました。

だれとも dare to mo—nobody; not anyone

結婚するつもり kekkon suru tsumori—to intend to marry

～がない ~ga nai—didn’t exist [she didn’t intend to marry anyone]

と断りました to kotowarimashita—turn down; to decline [the to marks what was turned down]

そんななか、５人ごにんの若者わかものがやってきて、かぐや姫ひめにこう言いいました。

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そんななか sonna naka—among those (the suitors)

５人 gonin—five people (men) [This could also be written 五人.]

５人の若者 gonin no wakamono—five young men

やってきて yatte kite—to come around; to show up

かぐや姫に kaguya hime ni—to Princess Kaguya

こう言いました kō īmashita—said this; said like this

「どうか私わたしと結婚けっこんしてください。あなたがほしいものはなんでも手てに入いれて見みせましょう。」

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「」 Japanese quotation markers

どうか dōka—please [Used when pleading.]

私と watashi to—with me

結婚してください kekkon shite kudasai—please marry (me)

あなた anata—you [The following ga sets “you” as the subject.]

ほしいもの hosh mono—a thing (you) want

なんでも nandemo—anything

手に入れて te ni irete—to get [lit. to come into one’s hands]

見せましょう misemashou—let (me) show (you how I can get it)

「いや、私わたしと結婚けっこんしてください。」

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いや iya—no (not him, me)

私と watashi no—with me

結婚してください kekkon shite kudasai—please marry me

「いやいや、この私わたしと。」

いやいや iyaiya—no; by no means

この私と kono watashi to—with me [kono means “this” and is used to emphasize that the speaker wants himself to be chosen. A person such as I!]

「いーや、私わたしこそかぐや姫ひめにふさわしい。どうか私わたしと結婚けっこんしてください。」

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いーや i-ya—no [with emphasis]

私こそ watashi koso—(it is) even I (who is) [koso is used for emphasis—it is I, for sure, who would be best suited.]

かぐや姫に kaguya hime ni—for Princess Kaguya

ふさわしい fusawashī—appropriate; suitable

どうか dōka—please

私と結婚してください watashi to kekkon shite kudasai—please marry me

「なにをおっしゃる、私わたしが結婚けっこん相手あいてになるのだ。」

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なにをおっしゃる nani wo ossharu—what are  you saying?

私 watashi—I [The ga sets watashi as the subject ]

結婚相手 kekkon aite—a marriage partner

になる ni naru—become (I will become her husband.)

のだ no da—[the no is for emphasis and da is the plain form of desu, the copula.]

５人ごにんが大変たいへん熱心ねっしんに結婚けっこんを申もうし込こむので、かぐや姫ひめはこの５人ごにんにこう言いいました。

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５人 gonin—five people (men)

が ga—[grammar: subject marker]

大変 taihen—very

熱心に nesshin ni—energetically; feverously

結婚を申し込む kekkon wo mōshikomu—propose for marriage

ので node—therefore

この５人に kono gonin ni—to these five men

こう言いました kō īmashita—said thusly; said this

「それでは、私わたしのほしいものをもってきてください。次の５いつつのものです。」

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それでは sore dewa—well, then...

私の watashi no—my

ほしいもの hoshī mono—something wanted

を wo—[grammar: direct object marker]

もってきてください motte kite kudasai—please bring to me

次の tsugi no—the next; the following (items)

５つ itsutsu—five (things) [You can write it as 五つ  also.]

もの mono—things

です desu—the copula

「はい、なんでもお望のぞみのものを持もってまいりましょう。」

かぐや姫ひめは、こう言いいました。

はい hai—yes

なんでも nan demo—anything; whatever

お望み onozomi—wish; desire

お望みのもの onozomi no mono—the thing you wish for

持ってまいりましょう motte mairimashō—(I’ll) bring back [mairimasu is the humble form of きます kimasu (to come).]

こう言いました kō īmashita—said thusly; said the following

「まず、仏ほとけ様さまの尊とうとい石いしの鉢はちを持もってきてください。

まず mazu—first of all...

仏様 hotoke sama—Buddha (from India)

尊い tōtoi—precious; valuable; priceless

石 ishi—stone

鉢 hachi—bowl

仏様の尊い石の鉢 hotokesama no toutoi ishi no hachi—the stone begging bowl of the Buddha

を持ってきてください wo motte kite kudasai—bring (the bowl) back

次つぎに蓬莱ほうらいの玉たまの枝えだ、これは蓬莱ほうらいという山やまに生はえている木きで、

次 tsugi—next

蓬莱 hōrai—Horai, a mystical land found in Chinese mythology

玉 tama—jewel

枝 eda—branch

蓬莱の玉の枝 hōrai no tama no eda—Horai’s jeweled branch

これは kore wa—as for this...

という山 to iu yama—a mountain called (Horai)

に ni—on (the mountain) [grammar: particle showing direction and location]

生えている  haeteiru—sprouting; growing

木 ki—tree

で  de—and then; and regarding this [grammar: a conjunction connecting two related thoughts]

Her demands are a little difficult not only for her would-be suitors, but for twenty-first century folk as well! Try to understand the construction, but she is asking for 1) Buddha’s stone (begging) bowl; 2) A jeweled branch from a legendary mountain/island called Horai. The next paragraph describes the tree.

根ねは銀ぎん、茎くきは金きん、真珠しんじゅの実みがなるというものです。

根 ne—root (of a plant or tree)

は wa—[grammar: topic particle; notice how it is used in this series to define what each object is

銀 gin—silver

茎 kuki—stalk; stem (of a plant)

金 kin—gold

真珠 shinju—pearl

実 mi—fruit

真珠の実がなる shinju no mi ga naru—will bear pearls for fruit

というもの to iu mono—such a thing as

この枝えだを一枝ひとえだ持もってきてください。

この kono—this

枝 eda—branch; limb (of a tree)

一枝 hitoeda—one branch

持ってきてください motte kite kudasai—bring to me

それから、決けっして燃もえることのないといわれる唐とうの国くににある火ひ鼠ねずみの皮かわ衣ごろも、

それから sorekara—and then...

決して kesshite—never; by no means (used with a negative verb)

燃えることのない moeru koto no nai—cannot burn

といわれる to iwareru—it is said; legend has it

唐の国 tō no kuni—China [T’ang Dynasty 618-907]

にある ni aru—there exists (in China)

火鼠 hi nezumi—fire-rat

皮衣 kawa goromo—fur coat

竜りゅうの首くびの珠たま、燕つばめの持もっている子安こやす貝がいを持もってきてください。」

竜 ryū—dragon

首 kubi—neck

珠 tama—orb; sphere

竜の首の珠 ryū no kubi no tama—an orb from the neck of a dragon

燕 tsubame—swallow (bird)

持っている motteiru—has; has in (swallow’s) possession

子安貝 koyasugai—cowrie (snail shell)

燕の持っている子安貝 tsubame no motteiru koyasugai—a cowrie owned by a swallow

持ってきてください motte kite kudasai—bring to me

The third demand is the nonflammable robe of the fire-rat of China. The fourth demand is a colored jewel from a dragon’s neck. The last demand is a cowrie born from swallows.

どれもたいへん手てに入いれることが難むずかしいものばかりで、

どれも doremo—all of them (the demands)

たいへん taihen—very

手に入れる te ni ireru—to get

手に入れること te ni ireru koto—receiving; getting [The koto makes the verb “to get” into a noun phrase.]

難しいもの muzukashī mono—difficult thing

ばかりで bakari de—nothing but (difficult tasks)

だれもひとつも手てに入いれることができませんでした。

だれも dare mo—no one

ひとつも hitotsu mo—not even one

できませんでした dekimasen deshita—wasn’t able (to get)

しばらくして５人ごにんはかぐや姫ひめのところにこれらの品しなを持もってきましたが、全部ぜんぶにせものでした。

しばらくして shibaraku shite—after a while

５人 gonin—five people (young men) [This can also be written 五人.]

かぐや姫のところに kaguya hime no tokoro ni—to where Princess Kaguya was

これらの korera no—these

品 shina—objects; goods (her demands)

持ってきました motte kimashita—carried (to her)

が ga—but; however

全部 zenbu—all

にせもの nisemono—fake; forgery [The opposite is 本物 honmono—genuine article]

でした deshita—were (fakes) [past tense of desu.]

さて、秋あきが近ちかづいてくると、かぐや姫ひめは月つきを見上みあげて泣なくようになりました。

さて sate—well, then; after that

秋 aki—Fall; Autumn

近づいてくる chikazuite kuru—drew near

秋が近づいてくると aki ga chikazuite kuru to—when fall drew near...

月 tsuki—moon

見上げて mi agete—looked up

泣くようになりました naku you ni narimashita—began to cry

おじいさんとおばあさんは、心配しんぱいになってかぐや姫ひめに

おじいさんとおばあさん ojīsan to obāsan—old man and old woman

は wa—[grammar: topic marker]

心配 shinpai—worried

になって ni natte—became (worried)

かぐや姫に kaguya hime ni—(said) to Princess Kaguya

「どうしたのか？」と尋たずねると、かぐや姫ひめは泣なきながら答こたえました。

どうしたのか？ dōshita no ka?—what’s the matter?

と尋ねると to tazuneru to—upon asking [The first to closes the quote and the second one means “upon doing something, the following happened.”]

泣きながら naki nagarai—while crying

答えました kotaemashita—answered

「はい、実じつは私わたしはこの国くにのものではありません。

はい hai—yes; well then [hai is often used before answering a question or when getting the attention of the audience before speaking.]

実は jitsu wa—actually; in reality

私は watashi wa—as for me, I...

この国 kono kuni—this country

のもの no mono—someone from (this country)

ではありません dewa arimasen—am not [negative polite of desu]

月つきの都みやこから参まいったものです。

月の都  tsuki no miyako—the capital of the moon

から kara—from

参ったもの maitta mono—someone who came (from capital of moon)

十五夜じゅうごやの満月まんげつの夜よるには月つきの都みやこから迎むかえの使者ししゃがやってくるので、私わたしは月つきに帰かえらなければなりません。」

十五夜 jūgoya—the night of the fifteenth

満月 mangetsu—full moon

夜 yoru—night

十五夜の満月の夜に jūgoya no mangetsu no yoru ni—on the night of the full moon on the 15th

月の都から tsuki no miyako kara—from the capital of the moon

迎えの mukae no—receiving; accepting; greeting

使者 shisha—messenger; envoy

やってくる yatte kuru—will come; turn up

ので node—therefore; because of that

私は watashi wa—as for me, I...

月に tsuki ni—to the moon

帰らなければなりません kaeranakereba narimasen—must return

びっくりしたおじいさんとおばあさんは、帝みかどにお願ねがいをしてかぐや姫ひめを守まもってくれるように頼たのみました。

びっくり bikkuri—surprised

びっくりしたおじいさん bikkuri shita ojīsan—the surprised old man

帝 mikado—emperor (of Japan)

にお願いをして ni onegai wo shite—made a request to (the emperor)

～を守って ~wo mamotte—protect (the princess)

くれるように kureru yō ni—that (the emperor) would grant

頼みました tanomimashita—requested

十五夜じゅうごやの晩ばんがやってくると、かぐや姫ひめの家いえの周まわりはたくさんの侍さむらいで守まもられました。

十五夜 jūgoya—the night of the fifteenth

晩 ban—evening

やってくると yatte kuru to—came around and... [the to ties it in with what comes next.]

の家 no ie—the house of (Princess Kaguya)

の周り no mawari—around (the house)

たくさん takusan—many

侍で samurai de—with samurai

守られました mamoraremashita—protected

みんな手てに弓矢ゆみやや刀かたなをもっています。

みんな minna—everyone

手に te ni—in (their) hands

弓矢や  yumiya ya—bows and arrows and [the final や starts a series: this and that]

刀 katana—swords

もっています motte imasu—(the samurai) were holding; were carrying

「これならきっと大丈夫だいじょうぶだ。」とおじいさんが言いいましたが、

これなら kore nara—with this

きっと kitto—certainly; surely

大丈夫 daijōbu—okay; fine

だ da—[the past tense of desu]

言いましたが īmashita ga—said, but...

かぐや姫ひめは「どんなことをしても月つきの世界せかいのものにはかないません。

どんなことをしても donna koto wo shitemo—no matter what you do

月の世界 tsuki no sekai—the world of the moon

のもの no mono—people (or whatever) from (the moon)

には niwa—regarding; against

かないません kanaimasen—can’t rival

おじいさん、おばあさん、今いままでありがとうございました。」と言いいました。

今まで ima made—up until now

ありがとうございました arigatō gozaimashita—thank you [notice the past tense; use the past tense when thanking someone for something completed.]

と言いました to īmashita—(she) said

そうこうしているうちに、満月まんげつがのぼり、真夜中まよなかになると、家いえの周まわりがたいへん明あかるくなりました。

そうこうしている sō kō shiteiru—doing all this [The sō kō here means “(doing things) like this and that”: many things like this were going on.]

うちに uchi ni—while; during this time

満月 mangetsu—full moon

のぼり nobori—rose (the moon)

真夜中 mayonaka—the dead of the night; midnight

になると ni naru to—became (late in night) and

家の周り ie no mawari—around the house

たいへん taihen—very

明るくなりました akaruku narimashita—became bright

月つきからの使者ししゃがやってきたのです。

月から tsuki kara—from the moon

使者 shisha—messengers; envoy

やってきた yatte kita—came around

のです no desu—[no (used when explaining) + the copula]

家いえを取とり囲かこんでいた侍さむらいたちは、月つきの使者ししゃたちのまぶしさと美うつくしさに驚おどろいて、

家 ie—house

取り囲んでいた tori kakondeita—surrounded

侍たち samurai tachi—the samurai (plural)

取り囲んでいた侍たち tori kakondeita samurai tachi—the samurai who had surrounded (the house)

月の使者たち tsuki no shisha tachi—the envoy (plural) from the moon

まぶしさ mabushi sa—the level/amount of dazzling brightness [The sa is a nominalizing suffix that indicates degree or condition: the level of brightness]

と to—and

美しさ utsukushi sa—the level/amount of beauty

～に驚いて ~ni odoroite—were surprised by (the amount of beauty and brightness)

戦たたかう気持きもちをすっかりなくしてしまいました。

戦う気持ち tatakau kimochi—the desire/feeling to fight

すっかり sukkari—completely

なくしてしまいました nakushite shimaimashita—lost (all desire to fight) [The shimaimashita indicates completeness.]

だれも弓矢ゆみやを射いることができませんでした。

だれも dare mo—no one [used with a negative verb, in this case: できません]

弓矢 yumi ya—bow and arrow [弓 yumi means bow and 矢ya means arrow]

射る iru—to shoot (an arrow)

射ること  iru koto—shooting [the koto makes a verb into a noun phrase: “to shoot” becomes “shooting”.]

射ることができませんでした iru koto ga dekimasen deshita—couldn’t shoot

かぐや姫ひめは月つきからの使者ししゃとともに、しずかに月つきに帰かえっていきました。

月からの使者 tsuki kara no shisha—the envoy from the moon

とともに to tomo ni—with; together with

しずかに shizuka ni—quietly; peacefully

月に帰っていきました tsuki ni kaette ikimashita—returned to the moon

おしまい。

おしまい oshimai—the end

Kaguya Hime Grammatical Endnotes

かぐや姫ひめ

かぐや姫 kaguya-hime

Princess Kaguya. Her name is probably from 輝く kagayaku which means to shine or glitter.

むかし、むかし、あるところに

A long time ago, in a certain place. This is a very typical opening for Japanese fairy tales similar to “Once upon a time...”

むかし [mukashi—long time ago] the repetition makes this a very long time ago

あるところに [aru tokoro ni—in a certain place]

ある日ひ

One day. Just as with あるところ (a certain place), the aru in ある日 likewise shows generality: “one day.”

竹たけを取とりに

To go get bamboo. The を marks the direct object, the purpose of the getting (bamboo). The 取りに construction means, “for the purpose of getting (bamboo).”  To use this construction, get the –masu form of a verb (取ります torimasu), drop the –masu (取り tori), and add the に ni to show intent. Ex: 映画を見に行った。 eiga wo mi ni itta. (I) went (in order) to see a movie.

竹たけ藪やぶに行いくと

Upon going to a bamboo grove. This story features a few vocabulary words that aren’t very useful (this is especially true when the princess lists her demands). 竹藪 is one of them. You will see the 行くと ikuto construction a lot in this story. Adding a と to the plain form of a verb (like iku) creates the meaning of “upon going, XXX happens.”

きらきらと光ひかっている

(It) glittered brightly. Japanese makes good use of onomatopoeia (擬音語 giongo) and mimesis (擬態語ぎたいご gitaigo) sound-action words. きらきら is a gitaigo meaning to sparkle or glitter. These special sound-action words can sometimes be paired with a few verbs as in this case. Usually, when that happens you add the と between it and the verb. Think of the と as a connecter.

竹たけが一本いっぽん

One bamboo stalk. Japanese has many counters. In the case of bamboo, use 本 hon which is used for long slender objects like pencils, poles, and bamboo.

不思議ふしぎに思おもった

(The old man) thought mysteriously. 不思議 fushigi is a –na adjective and to change a –na adjective into an adverb, add a に ni. He thought in a mysterious way.

竹たけを切きってみると

Upon cutting the bamboo. As mentioned above, the と to indicates something is about to happen that is a direct result of this. Adding みる miru to verbs adds the feeling of “to XXX and see” or “to try”: 行ってみる itte miru—go and see; 食べてみる tabete miru—try a taste

子供こどもがいなかったおじいさん

The old man who had no children. This is literally, “children-didn’t exist-old man.” Notice the construction is opposite from English. In Japanese, you end with the person or thing you are describing.

自分じぶんの子供こどもと思おもって

Considering (her) as their own child. 自分 jibun means “oneself” and can be used to refer to other people’s self. 自分の車がありますか？ jibun no kuruma ga arimasu ka? Do you have your own car? The と思って to omotte is tacked on to express their thoughts or how they saw the girl.

育そだてること

The act of raising; raising (a child). To make a verb into a noun phrase, you can just add koto to the dictionary form of the verb. 食べること taberu koto—eating; 漢字を書くこと kanji wo kaku koto—writing kanji

育そだてることにしました

Decided to raise (the child). A useful construction is にします ni shimasu which means “to decide upon.” ピザにします。 piza ni shimasu—I’ll have a pizza.

と名付なづけられて

Was named... The と to acts like a quotation marker. 名付けられて nazukerarete is in the passive which means she was given a name (by the old couple). Note the sound change is づ and not the usual ず for zu. This is one reason why relying on rōmaji is not a good idea.

すくすくと成長せいちょうして

(She) quickly grew up. すくすく suku suku is used with both plants and children. It is similar to the English expression, “She is growing like weeds.” As mentioned previously (Grammar Note #5), the gitaigo such as すくすく  can be connected to select verbs (in this case, 成長 sēchō works with すくすく suku suku and you add a と to to connect them.)

誰だれかと結婚けっこんさせよう

Wanted to marry (her off) to someone. 誰か dare ka—someone. Adding か ka to question words adds uncertainty much like adding ある aru to time and place words like ある日 (aru hi—one day). A few examples are: いつか itsuka—sometime; どこか dokoka—somewhere; なぜか nazeka—for some reason.

こう言いいました

Said thusly... The こう kou means “like this.” こうやって kou yatte—do in this way; こう歩いて kou aruite—walk in this way

ほしいもの

Something wanted...もの mono means “thing” or “object” and makes it into a noun phrase.

なんでも

Anything; whatever. Adding でも demo to a question word adds “ever”: いつでも itsu demo—whenever; どこでも doko demo—wherever; だれでも dare demo—whoever

手てに入いれてみせましょう

Let me show you how I can get (anything you want). 手に入れる te ni ireru is a common idiom meaning “to get.” It literally means, “to put in one’s hand.”

結婚けっこんを申もうし込こむ

To make a marriage proposal. Some nouns work with only specific verbs. 結婚 kekkon (marriage) can work with する suru, but you can be more poetic and use 申し込む mōshikomu which is most often used when applying for something or filling out an application.

次つぎの５ついつのものです

The next five things. 次 tsugi means “next.” Addingの no specifies what is next: 次の tsugi no—the next...

~を持もってまいりましょう。

(I) will bring back (something). まいります mairimasu is the humble form of 行きます ikimasu.

蓬莱ほうらいという山やまに生はえている木きで

At a tree that grows in a mountain called Hōrai. Literally, “Hōrai—such a—mountain—in—growing—tree—at.” Many times, it is helpful to parse sentences from the end first. Japanese often leaves out the main topic until it is fully described.

決けっして燃もえることのない

Absolutely cannot burn. 決して keshite is a strong way to say something won’t happen. It is followed by a negative verb (ない nai in this case).

どれもたいへん手てに入いれることが難むずかしいものばかりで

They were all extremely difficult (items) to get. Literally, “All—very—to get—thing—(subject marker)—difficult—thing—nothing but.” Both どれも doremo (all; every) and ばかりで  bakari de (nothing but) emphasize that all of her requests were nigh near impossible.

おじいさんとおばあさんは、心配しんぱいになって

The old man and the old woman are worried and... Literally, “old man – and – old woman – worried—became.” The て form of なる makes it a conjunction. They were worried and (said to Kaguya-hime...)  なる naru (to become) is a very powerful verb which shows a change of state. 心配になる shinpai ni naru—to become worried; 友達になる tomodachi ni naru—to become friends; and with –i adjectives, make the -ku form as: 悪くなる waruku naru—to become bad.

泣なきながら答こたえました。

While crying, (she) answered. ~nagara means “while” and as you can see, it is easy to use it to make longer and more elegant sentences. Add it to the –masu form of a verb (but drop the –masu). 食べながら話す。 tabenagara hanasu. (talk while eating); for suru verbs, add the –masu form of suru (し shi): 勉強しながら、音楽を聴く。 benkyou shi nagara, ongaku wo kiku.

私わたしはこの国くにのものではありません。

I am not of this country (world). The もの here doesn’t mean “thing” but “person.” When written in kanji, the character differs when referring to a thing or a person:

月つきに帰かえらなければなりません

(I) must return to the moon. なければなりません nakereba narimasen (have to; must) is a mouthful, but very useful.

Construction:

Verbs—use the stem of the negative form [話さない hanasanai (won’t speak) -> 話さなければならない hanasa nakereba naranai (must speak)]

-i Adjectives—use the stem (drop the –i) and add a く ku [やすい yasui (cheap) -> やすくなければならない yasu ku nakereba naranai (must be inexpensive)]

-na Adjectives—use the stem (don’t need the –na) [しずか shizuka (quiet) -> しずかなければならない shizuka nakereba naranai (must be quiet)]

帝みかどにお願ねがいをして

Made a request to the emperor. ~ni onegai means “to make a request to ~.” Mikado refers to the emperor, but today, the term is 天皇 tennō.

かぐや姫ひめの家いえの周まわりはたくさんの侍さむらいで守まもられました。

Around Princess Kaguya’s house there were many samurai guarding. When parsing sentences, try to understand the main topic first. Find the は (topic particle): かぐや姫の家の周りは  kaguyahime no ie no mawari wa—around Princess Kaguya’s house [literally, “Kaguya—princess— ‘s—house—‘s—around”]. Then, discover what is happening to the topic. たくさんの侍で守られました takusan no samurai de mamoraremashita. There were many samurai guarding.

戦たたかう気持きもち

A desire to fight. There are two common words for “feeling” or “mood.” One is 気持ち kimochi and the other is 気分 kibun. In some ways, they are interchangeable, but it may be good to think of kimochi as fleeting and kibun as a stronger, more lasting feeling. So, when you are sick, you can say, 気分が悪い kibun ga warui. But if you are in a bad mood or just saw something disgusting (but didn’t make you really sick), you say 気持ちが悪い kimochi ga warui. The samurai suddenly lost their desire to fight which is why 気持ち is a better choice here.

Kaguya Hime in Japanese

かぐや姫ひめ

––––––––

むかし、むかし、あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住すんでいました。

ある日ひ、おじいさんが竹たけを取とりに竹たけ藪やぶに行いくと、きらきらと光ひかっている竹たけが一本いっぽんありました。

不思議ふしぎに思おもったおじいさんがその竹たけを切きってみると、中なかからなんとも愛あいらしい女おんなの子こが出でて来きました。

子供こどもがいなかったおじいさんとおばあさんは、この女おんなの子こを自分じぶんの子供こどもと思おもって育そだてることにしました。

この女おんなの子こは「かぐや姫ひめ」と名付なづけられて大切たいせつに育そだてられました。

さて、かぐや姫ひめはすくすくと成長せいちょうしてたいへん美うつくしい娘むすめになりました。あまりに美うつくしいので、その姿すがたを見みようとする若者わかものがあとをたちません。

おじいさんとおばあさんは、かぐや姫ひめを誰だれかと結婚けっこんさせようとしましたが、かぐや姫ひめはだれとも結婚けっこんするつもりがないと断ことわりました。

そんななか、５人ごにんの若者わかものがやってきて、かぐや姫ひめにこう言いいました。

「どうか私わたしと結婚けっこんしてください。あなたがほしいものはなんでも手てに入いれて見みせましょう。」

「いや、私わたしと結婚けっこんしてください。」

「いやいや、この私わたしと。」

「いーや、私わたしこそかぐや姫ひめにふさわしい。どうか私わたしと結婚けっこんしてください。」

「なにをおっしゃる、私わたしが結婚けっこん相手あいてになるのだ。」

５人ごにんが大変たいへん熱心ねっしんに結婚けっこんを申もうし込こむので、かぐや姫ひめはこの５人ごにんにこう言いいました。

「それでは、私わたしのほしいものをもってきてください。次つぎの５いつつのものです。」

「はい、なんでもお望のぞみのものを持もってまいりましょう。」

かぐや姫ひめは、こう言いいました。

「まず、仏ほとけ様さまの尊とうとい石いしの鉢はちを持もってきてください。次つぎに蓬莱ほうらいの玉たまの枝えだ、これは蓬莱ほうらいという山やまに生はえている木きで、根ねは銀ぎん、茎くきは金きん、真珠しんじゅの実みがなるというものです。この枝えだを一枝ひとえだ持もってきてください。

それから、決けっして燃もえることのないといわれる唐とうの国くににある火ひ鼠ねずみの皮かわ衣ごろも、竜りゅうの首くびの珠たま、燕つばめの持もっている子安こやす貝がいを持もってきてください。」

どれもたいへん手てに入いれることが難むずかしいものばかりで、だれもひとつも手てに入いれることができませんでした。

しばらくして５人ごにんはかぐや姫ひめのところにこれらの品しなを持もってきましたが、全部ぜんぶにせものでした。

さて、秋あきが近ちかづいてくると、かぐや姫ひめは月つきを見み上あげて泣なくようになりました。

おじいさんとおばあさんは、心配しんぱいになってかぐや姫ひめに「どうしたのか？」と尋たずねると、かぐや姫ひめは泣なきながら答こたえました。

「はい、実じつは私わたしはこの国くにのものではありません。月つきの都みやこから参まいったものです。十五夜じゅうごやの満月まんげつの夜よるには月つきの都みやこから迎むかえの使者ししゃがやってくるので、私わたしは月つきに帰かえらなければなりません。」

びっくりしたおじいさんとおばあさんは、帝みかどにお願ねがいをしてかぐや姫ひめを守まもってくれるように頼たのみました。

十五夜じゅうごやの晩ばんがやってくると、かぐや姫ひめの家いえの周まわりはたくさんの侍さむらいで守まもられました。みんな手てに弓矢ゆみやや刀かたなをもっています。

「これならきっと大丈夫だいじょうぶだ。」とおじいさんが言いいましたが、かぐや姫ひめは「どんなことをしても月つきの世界せかいのものにはかないません。おじいさん、おばあさん、今いままでありがとうございました。」と言いいました。

そうこうしているうちに、満月まんげつがのぼり、真夜中まよなかになると、家いえの周まわりがたいへん明あかるくなりました。

月つきからの使者ししゃがやってきたのです。

家いえを取とり囲かこんでいた侍さむらいたちは、月つきの使者ししゃたちのまぶしさと美うつくしさに驚おどろいて、戦たたかう気持きもちをすっかりなくしてしまいました。だれも弓矢ゆみやを射いることができませんでした。

かぐや姫ひめは月つきからの使者ししゃとともに、しずかに月つきに帰かえっていきました。

おしまい。

Kaguya Hime in English

かぐや姫

––––––––

A long time ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and old woman.

One day, the old man was out collecting bamboo in a bamboo grove when he noticed one stalk sparkling. Thinking it strange, the old man cut the bamboo and, upon doing so, a cute little girl came out from it.

Not having children of their own, the old couple took her in as their own child and raised her. They named her Kaguya-hime and raised her with care.

Kuguya-hime grew quickly and became a beautiful young woman. She was so beautiful, a line of young men kept coming. The old man and woman decided they should marry her off. But Kaguya-hime didn’t want to marry and refused each offer.

During that time, five suitors came and one said, “Please marry me. Whatever you want, I will get it for you.”

“No, please marry me!”

“No, no. I’m the one!”

“No way. It is I who is most suitable for Kaguya-hime. Please marry me.”

“What are you saying?! I will be her husband.”

The five suitors earnestly asked for her hand, so she said this to the five men, “Well, then. Bring me the following five things that I want.”

“Yes! Whatever you wish for, I will bring it to you.”

Kaguya-hime said, “First, I would like the Buddha’s precious stone bowl brought to me. Next, I would like Hōrai’s jeweled branch. This is from a tree that grows on a mountain called Hōrai. The root is silver; the stalk is gold; the fruit is said to be of pearls. Please bring back one branch. And then, I want the impervious-to-fire fur coat from the fire-rat of China, an orb from the neck of a dragon, and a cowrie owned by a swallow—all of these things I want you to bring back to me.”

All of these requests were incredibly difficult. No one was able to get even one of them.

After a while, the five men brought to Princess Kaguya the items, but they were all fakes.

Then, as fall drew near, Princess Kaguya began to look up to the moon and cry. The old man and woman became very worried. “What is wrong?” they asked.

Princess Kaguya answered through her tears, “Well, to tell the truth, I am not of this country. I have come from the capital of the moon. At the full moon on the fifteenth of the month, an envoy from the capital of the moon will arrive. I must, therefore, return to the moon then.”

The old man and women were quite surprised and asked the emperor to protect Princess Kaguya.

When the night of the fifteenth finally came, Princess Kaguya’s house was surrounded by many samurai set to protect her. They all held bows and arrows and swords.

“With all this, I’m sure everything will be fine,” the old man said, but Princess Kaguya said, “No matter what you do, it won’t stand against what the moon civilization can do. Old man and old woman, thank you for all you’ve done for me up until now.”

While all this was going on, an incredibly bright light shone around the house. The envoy from the moon had come. The samurai that had surrounded the house were surprised by the brightness and the beauty of the messengers from the moon. They lost all desire to fight. No one could shoot an arrow.

Princess Kaguya went with the envoy and quietly returned to the moon.

The end.

VOCABULARY

「」 quotation marks

A

あっという間に a tto iu ma ni—in the blink of an eye [lit. In the time it takes to say “ah.”]

愛らしい airashī—charming; lovely; adorable

明るくなりました akaruku narimashita—became bright

秋 aki—Fall; Autumn

あまりに amari ni—too much; excessively so; too (beautiful)

あなたの願い anata no negai—your wish

あなたをお守りします anata wo omamorishimasu—(I) will protect you.

あなた anata—you

あの ano—that

あら ara—ah!

現れて arawarete—appears

ありがとう arigatō—thank you

ありました arimashita—exists [used with inanimate objects like bamboo]

あるところに aru tokoro ni—in some place

ある日 aru hi—one day

あとをたちません ato wo tachimasen—didn’t stop; never ceasing

あったら attara—if came across (an ogre)

B

ばかりで bakari de—nothing but (difficult tasks)

晩 ban—evening

びっくり bikkuri—surprise

C

知恵 chie—wisdom

近づいてくる chikazuite kuru—drew near

ちくちくと chiku chiku to—the effect of pricking

小さい chīsai—small

小さな男の子 chīsana otoko no ko—a small boy

D

だ da—[the past tense of desu]

大臣 dai jin—nobleman

大臣の娘 dai jin no musume—the nobleman’s daughter

大事に daiji ni—took care of

大丈夫です daijōbu desu—It’s OK.

大丈夫 daijōbu—all right; OK

だれとも dare to mo—nobody; not anyone

だれも dare mo—no one

誰かと dareka to—with someone

で de—and then [grammar: a conjunction connecting two related thoughts]

出かける dekakeru—to go out; leave

できませんでした dekimasen deshita—wasn’t able (to get)

でした deshita—were (fakes) [past tense of desu.]

です desu—the copula

出て来ました dete kimashita—came out

ではありません dewa arimasen—am not [negative polite of desu]

で de—with (particle)

どうか dōka—please; I beg you

どんなことをしても donna koto wo shitemo—no matter what you do

どれも doremo—all of them (the demands)

どうしましょう dōshimashō—what should we do?

どうしたのか？ dōshita no ka?—what’s the matter?

E

枝 eda—branch; limb (of a tree)

えらい erai—great; famous

F

ふると furu to—upon swinging; if you shake it

ふさわしい fusawashī—appropriate; suitable

不思議 fushigi—wondrous; strange; mystery

ふとあたり futo atari—by chance (looking) around

G

が ga—[grammar: while が normally corresponds to the English concept of subject, it can actually be the object as in 猫が好きです。 neko ga suki desu. (I) like cats.]

が ga—but; however

～がない ~ga nai—didn’t exist [she didn’t intend to marry anyone]

元気がいい genki ga ii—energetic; enthusiastic

元気 genki—healthy; energetic (na Adjective: add na before nouns.)

銀 gin—silver

５人の若者 gonin no wakamono—five young men

５人 gonin—five people (young men) [This can also be written 五人]

H

鉢 hachi—bowl

生えている haeteiru—sprouting; growing

はい hai—yes

吐き出す haki dasu—throw up; spit out

針の刀 hari no katana—a needle for a sword

はり hari—needle

針 hari—needle (Issunbōshi’s sword)

はしをかいにして hashi wo kai ni shite—chopsticks for oars

はし hashi—chopsticks

火鼠 hi nezumi—fire-rat

光っている hikatte iru—shining

拾い上げました hiroi agemashita—picked up...

一枝 hitoeda—one branch

一口 hitokuchi—in one gulp; bite

ひとつも hitotsu mo—not even one

蓬莱の玉の枝 hōrai no tama no eda—Horai’s jeweled branch

蓬莱 hōrai—Horai, a mystical land found in Chinese mythology

ほしいもの hoshī mono—something wanted

仏様 hotoke sama—Buddha (from India)

I

家の周り ie no mawari—around the house

家 ie—house

行かせてください ikasete kudasai—please let me go

行くと iku to—upon going (to a bamboo grove)

今まで ima made—up until now

言いました īmashita—said

いなかった inakatta—didn’t exist

一本 ippon—one stalk (of bamboo)

射ること iru koto—shooting [the koto makes a verb into a noun phrase: “to shoot” becomes “shooting”.]

射る iru—to shoot (an arrow)

石 ishi—stone

一寸法師 issun bōshi—Issunbōshi (Name) [A sun was a unit of measurement. 1 sun (which is what issun means) is about three centimeters. Bōshi means a “Buddhist priest,” but here idiomatically means “son.”]

痛くてかなわん itakute kanawan—so painful it is hard to stand

いてててて itetetete—augh [sound of being in pain]

５つ itsutsu—five (things) [You can write it as 五つ also.]

いやいや iyaiya—no; by no means

いや iya—no (not him, me)

いーや i-ya—no [with emphasis]

J

自分の jibun no—their own

実は jitsu wa—actually; in reality

十五夜 jūgoya—the fifteenth day

K

帰らなければなりません kaeranakereba narimasen—must return

帰り道 kaeri michi—return trip; way back home

かぐや姫 kaguya hime—Princess Kaguya [her name is probably from 輝く kagayaku which means to shine or glitter]

神様に kamisama ni—to God

かなえてあげましょう kanaete agemashou—let’s make your wish come TRUE

かないません kanaimasen—can’t rival

かなう kanau—come true

から kara—from

刀 katana—swords

皮衣 kawa goromo—fur coat

川 kawa—river

結婚させよう kekkon saseyō—to marry (Kaguya) off

結婚しておくれ kekkon shite okure—please marry...

結婚してください kekkon shite kudasai—please marry me

結婚するつもり kekkon suru tsumori—to intend to marry

結婚を申し込む kekkon wo mōshikomu—propose for marriage

結婚相手 kekkon aite—a marriage partner

家来 kerai—retainer; servant ["kerai" - Retainer; it was common for masterless samurai to seek employment.]

けれど keredo—but

決して kesshite—never; by no means (used with a negative verb)

聞くと kiku to—upon hearing it...

金 kin—gold

きらきらと kira kira to—glittering; sparkling

木 ki—tree

切ってみると kitte miru to—upon cutting [~miru when added to an action verb adds the meaning of “to try something and see what happens”; So this is, “upon cutting to see what will happen.”]

きっと kitto—certainly; surely

こう言いました kō īmashita—said this; said like this

子供 kodomo—children

こんなところに konna tokoro ni—at such a spot as this

この国 kono kuni—this country

この女の子 kono onna no ko—this girl

この姫 kono hime—our princess [lit. This princess]

この私と kono watashi to—with me [kono means “this” and is used to emphasize that the speaker wants himself to be chosen.]

この話 kono hanashi—this story

この鬼 kono oni—this ogre

この kono—this

これで kore de—with this

これなら kore nara—with this

これは kore wa—as for this...

これらの korera no—these

こりゃ korya—hey!

腰 koshi—lower back; waist

答えました kotaemashita—answered

ことにしました koto ni shimashita—decided upon; did; it was decided that Issunbōshi should (go)

子安貝 koyasugai—cowrie (snail shell)

小指 koyubi—pinky; small finger

小僧 kozou—young boy

こづち kozuchi—a mallet; gavel

首 kubi—neck

ください kudasai—please (make me taller)

茎 kuki—stalk; stem (of a plant)

暮らす kurasu—live

M

まぶしさ mabushi sa—the level/amount of dazzling brightness [The sa is a nominalizing suffix that indicates degree or condition: the level of brightness]

参ったもの maitta mono—someone who came (from capital of moon)

守られました mamoraremashita—protected

満月 mangetsu—full moon

真夜中 mayonaka—the dead of the night; midnight

まず mazu—first of all...

見上げて mi agete—looked up

実 mi—fruit

帝 mikado—emperor (of Japan)

みんな minna—everyone

みると miru to—looking... And...

みせましょう misemashou—let (me) show (you how I can get it)

都に着くと miyako ni tsuku to—upon arriving to the city

都へ行きなさい miyako e ikinasai—go to the capital [Verbs with the nasai ending are imperative (Do...). This form is often used by parents or teachers to children.]

都 miyako—capital (city)

見ようとする miyou to suru—to want to see

燃えることのない moeru koto no nai—cannot burn

もの mono—things

持っています motte imasu—holding; were carrying

持ってきてください motte kite kudasai—please bring to me

持っている motteiru—has; has in (swallow’s) possession

迎えの mukae no—receiving; accepting; greeting

むかしむかし mukashi mukashi—a long time ago

娘 musume—daughter; girl

難しいもの muzukashī mono—difficult thing

N

中から naka kara—from within

泣きながら naki nagarai—while crying

泣くようになりました naku you ni narimashita—began to cry

なくしてしまいました nakushite shimaimashita—lost (all desire to fight) [The shimaimashita indicates completeness.]

なんでも nandemo—anything; whatever

なにをおっしゃる nani wo ossharu—what are you saying?

なんとも nantomo—quite; really; extremely

なりたい naritai—want to...

名づけられました nazukeraremashita—was named

願い negai—a wish

根 ne—root (of a plant or tree)

熱心に nesshin ni—energetically; feverously

にある ni aru—there exists (in China)

にお願いをして ni onegai wo shite—made a request to (the emperor)

にしました ni shimashita—decided upon (taking her as their child)

になって ni natte—became (worried)

になりました ni narimashita—became (a beautiful daughter)

になる ni naru—become

に思った ni omotta—thought in that way (curiously)

逃げていきました nigete ikimashita—ran away

に ni—particle showing direction

にせもの nisemono—fake; forgery [The opposite is 本物 honmono—genuine article]

には niwa—regarding; as for

のだ no da—[the no is for emphasis and da is the plain form of desu, the copula.]

のです no desu—[no (used when explaining) + the copula]

の周り no mawari—around (the house)

の家 no ie—the house of (Princess Kaguya)

のぼり nobori—rose (the moon)

ので node—therefore; because of that

飲み込む nomi komu—to gulp down

のって notte—get on; ride [乗る noru to ride]

O

お姫様 o himesama—princess; daughter of a nobleman

おばあさん obāsan—an old woman

落ちていました ochite imashita—was fallen

お祈りしました oinori shimashita—prayed

大急ぎで ōisogi de—in a great hurry

おじいさんとおばあさん ojīsan to obāsan—the old man and woman

おじいさん ojīsan—an old man

大きい ōkii—big [na adjective; drop the –i and add a –na before nouns.]

大きな鬼 ōkina oni—a big ogre

お前から omae kara—from you; You first

お前 omae—you

お参り omairi—to make a visit to a shrine

お守りします omamorishimasu—protect

おなかの中 onaka no naka—inside the stomach

おなか onaka—stomach

お願いしました onegai shimashita—asked a favor

鬼 oni—ogre; demon

女の子 onna no ko—a girl

お望み onozomi—wish; desire

おしまい oshimai—the end

お寺 otera—a temple

おわんの船 owan no fune—a bowl as a boat

おわん owan—bowl

大笑い ōwarai—huge laughter; burst of laughter

大喜び ōyorokobi—great joy

R

りっぱ rippa—great; splendid

竜 ryū—dragon

S

侍 samurai—samurai

侍たち samurai tachi—the samurai (plural)

さし sashi—insert (sword into the scabbard)

刺した sashita—pierced; stabbed

さて sate—well, then; after that

背の高い se no takai—tall (man)

背 se—height; stature

成長 sei chō—growth

背丈 setake—stature; height

幸せ shiawase—happiness

しばらくして shibaraku shite—after a while

しか shika —only [used with negative verbs —ありません]

品 shina—objects; goods (her demands)

真珠 shinju—pearl

心配そう shinpai sō—in a worried way [" ~sō" looks like; in such a way; other common words: かわいそう kawaisō—poor; pitiful; いたそう itasō—it looks painful]

心配 shinpai—worry

使者 shisha—messenger; envoy

しずかに shizuka ni—quietly; peacefully

そうこうしている sō kō shiteiru—doing all this [The sō kō here means “(doing things) like this and that”: many things like this were going on.]

育てられました sodateraremashita—(she) was raised

育てること sodateru koto—raising a child

育てた sodateta—raised (a child)

そこで soko de—so, then; thereupon

そんななか sonna naka—among those (the suitors)

その sono—that

それでは sore dewa—well, then...

それから sorekara—and then...

そして soshite—and then...

姿 sugata—figure; appearance (Princess Kaguya’s)

すっかり sukkari—completely

すくすくと sukusuku to—quickly; rapidly [often used with children and plants growing quickly]

住んでいました sunde imashita—lived

すると suruto—thereupon; in doing so...

T

食べてやろう tabete yarō—(I’ll) eat you

大変 taihen—very

たいへん taihen—very

大切に taisetsu ni—carefully (raised the girl)

たいそう taisou—very

高くして takaku shite—make taller

竹を取り take wo tori—gathering bamboo

竹藪 take yabu—a bamboo grove

竹 take—bamboo

たくさん takusan—many

玉 tama—jewel

珠 tama—orb; sphere

頼みました tanomimashita—requested

戦う気持ち tatakau kimochi—the desire/feeling to fight

手に te ni—in (their) hands

手に入れて te ni irete—to get [lit. to come into one’s hands]

といいます to īmasu—it is said (that the mallet will make your wish come true)

という to iu—such a...

というもの to iu mono—such a thing as

という山 to iu yama—a mountain called (Horai)

といわれる to iwareru—it is said; legend has it

とともに to tomo ni—with; together with

と尋ねると to tazuneru to—upon asking [The first to closes the quote and the second one means “upon doing something, the following happened.”]

と思って to omotte—thinking; consider ~ as ~

と断りました to kotowarimashita—turn down; to decline [the to marks what was turned down]

と言いました to īmashita—(she) said

と言って to itte—saying that...

唐の国 tō no kuni—China [T’ang Dynasty 618-907]

と to—[used to mark quotations]

と to—and

ところが tokoro ga—however

取り囲んでいた tori kakondeita—surrounded

としました toshimashita—to try to (marry her off)

とても totemo—very

尊い tōtoi—precious; valuable; priceless

突然 totsuzen—suddenly

燕の持っている子安貝 tsubame no motteiru koyasugai—a cowrie owned by a swallow

燕 tsubame—swallow (bird)

次の tsugi no—the next; the following (items)

次 tsugi—next

月に帰っていきました tsuki ni kaette ikimashita—returned to the moon

月の世界 tsuki no sekai—the world of the moon

月の使者たち tsuki no shisha tachi—the envoy (plural) from the moon

月の都 tsuki no miyako—the capital of the moon

月 tsuki—moon

着く tsuku—arrive

つまみ上げ tsumami age—grab and raise (to eat)

連れる tsureru—lead; take someone

U

うちに uchi ni—while; during this time

打ち出のこづち uchi de no kozuchi—oni’s small mallet ["uchi de no kozuchi" is the name of the ogre’s magic hammer. This is similar to Aladdin’s lamp in that it grants wishes.]

生まれました umaremashita—was born

うまそう umasō—looks delicious

美しさ utsukushi sa—the level/amount of beauty

美しい utsukushī—beautiful

W

わ wa—[feminine ending]

は wa—[grammar: topic marker]

若者 wakamono—youth

若者 wakamono—youth; young person

私こそ watashi koso—(it is) even I (who is) [koso is used for emphasis—it is I, for sure, who would be best suited]

私と watashi no—with me

私の watashi no—my

私 watashi—I

渡しました watashimashita—gave; handed over

を wo—[grammar: direct object marker]

Y

やってきた yatte kita—came around

やってきて yatte kite—to come around; to show up

やってくる yatte kuru—will come; turn up

やっつける yattsukeru—beat; defeat

呼び yobi—call

夜 yoru—night

勇気 yūki—bravery

弓矢 yumi ya—bow and arrow [弓 yumi means bow and 矢ya means arrow]

Z

全部 zenbu—all

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