Hukumusume fairy tale collection > Story Top > Japanese classical stories

Shunoban Monster

(Japanese classical stories)

Translation　ちいさな翻訳屋さん

Japanese　←→　Japanese ＆ English　←→　English

　Once upon a time, there was a traveling samurai walking into a deserted grass field in the suburb of a villege.

　There was a tumor that a monster called Shunoban lived around this area.

“Oh, the sun is setting. I feel lonely. I hope I won’t run into a monster.”

　When the samurai hurried his steps,

“Could you wait up for me?”

　somebody called from behind.

　When the samurai carefully looked back, there was a samurai who was traveling like himself.

　It was hard to recognize his face because he was wearing a hat made of braided straw but he definitely looked like a samurai.

“If you don’t mind, could I go with you?”

“Sure. In fact, I wanted a company myself too.”

　Rumor has it that there is a monster called Shunoban around here. Haven’t you ever heard of it?”

　Then the other samurai said,

“Yes, I’ve heard of it.

　I heard it’s a monster like this.”

　Then he suddenly took off his hat.

　What appeared there was a red square face

　and the hair was wiry and the big mouth was slashed to its ears.

　And there was a horn growing from its forehead.

　This is the Shunoban monster for sure.

　The samurai said,

“Mmm…”

and then he passed out.

　Later on, the samurai came to senses and ran feverishly through the grass field

　and he found a house and rushed in there.

“Hello?”

　There was only a housewife in the house.

“Well, what’s the matter?”

“Could I have a glass of water?”

“Sure. I’ll get you right away.”

　The housewife took a ladle out of the water jar in the kitchen and handed it to the samurai.

　The samurai drank down the water and told the housewife what happened to him,

“I thought I got a company in the grass field but it turned out to be Shunoban monster.”

“Oh, dear. What a horrible monster you met.

　It is said that if you met Shunoban, your soul might be taken.

　By any chance, did Shunoban look like this?”

　The housewife suddenly raised her head.

　What appeared there was a red square face with the mouth slashed to the ears, wiry hair, and a horn from the forehead.

“Mmm…”

　The samurai passed out again and came to his senses the next day,

but unfortunately, he was said to be dead probably because his soul was taken by Shunoban.

The end

(Click here to return)