雨と子供
Watching a garden in the rain, the author thinks about a child.
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Sample: three-line reading
Each word has its meaning in this sentence underneath, and each sentence has a full translation. Read the original and glance down only when you need to.
About the book
The passage describes a garden just before a sudden rain—wind swaying poplars and rustling bamboo as the light changes—and moves from this scene into memories of how rain felt in childhood. The writing is closely observed and visual, carrying a mix of exhilaration and faint unease before nature's stirrings.
Cultural notes (selection)
Background a translation can’t carry: social roles, history and allusions. While reading, tap “Note” at the end of a sentence to see them all.
This is 縁側 (engawa), a wooden-floored veranda under the eaves of a traditional Japanese house, a transitional space connecting the interior rooms with the garden. There is no exact English equivalent. The author stands here watching the wind and rain through the glass, which fits the way of living associated with this space.
A large rectangular brazier with a wooden frame and drawers, a common piece of furniture in ordinary Japanese households of the modern era, used for heating, boiling water, and storage. Because it was heavy and placed against a wall, the text says "壁によせて長火鉢が置いてある", and three children could still sit side by side around it.
A 羽織 is a short coat worn over a kimono. The child drapes an adult's 羽織 over their head and crawls on all fours pretending to be a tiger—an improvised costume game making use of clothing found around the house.
About the author
Miyamoto Yuriko (née Chūjō; 13 February 1899 – 21 January 1951) was a Japanese novelist, short-story writer, social activist, and literary critic active during the Taishō and early Shōwa eras. She is best known for her autobiographical fiction, including Nobuko, Banshū heiya, and Fūchisō, and for her involvement in proletarian and women's liberation movements.
How the glosses are made
Word glosses and sentence translations are generated in context by AI models (DeepSeek and Zhipu GLM), and every word is checked to have a gloss. AI can make mistakes; you can report problems from the book page.
FAQ
Is this the original text?
Yes. The library holds the opening section of the public-domain original, taken from 青空文库.
Do I need to pay or sign up?
Library books are free to read without an account. Other gloss languages and importing your own texts need an account and credits.
What level is it?
This one is marked “Intermediate”. Every word is glossed, so you can keep reading even with a small vocabulary.
Can I use another gloss language?
English and Chinese glosses are prepared in advance; signed-in readers can generate other languages.