This is the first half of 雪女 (the Snow Woman), the first story in Learn Japanese with Stories, Volume 6. It is probably the best-known ghost story in Japan: two woodcutters, a father and his son, are caught on the mountain by a blizzard and take shelter in a small hut for the night.
The Japanese is written for upper beginners, around JLPT N5 to N4. Every kanji has furigana, and every line has Yumi's native audio.
昔、寒い国に茂作と美濃吉という、きこりの親子が住んでいました。
Words and notes
- 昔long agoN4Common opening for folktales, similar to 'once upon a time' in English.
- 寒いcold (weather)N5An い-adjective modifying 国 (country).
- 国countryN5The location where the story takes place.
- にinN5Marks the location of existence/residence with 住む.
- 茂作Mosaku (male given name)Name of one of the woodcutters (the father).
- とandN5Connects the two names 茂作 and 美濃吉.
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)Name of the other woodcutter (the son).
- というcalledN3Used to introduce names: '(people) called Mosaku and Minokichi'.
- きこりwoodcutterMeans woodcutter. It is often written 木こり or 樵, but this story writes it in hiragana.
- の(descriptive particle)N5Links きこり (woodcutter) to 親子 (parent and child): 'a woodcutter parent and child'.
- 親子parent and childN3Combines 親 (parent) and 子 (child).
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 親子 as the subject of 住んでいました.
- 住んでいましたlivedN4て-form + いました (past continuous/state). Indicates the ongoing state of living somewhere in the past: typical in story openings.
English
Long ago, in a cold country, there lived a father and son, woodcutters named Mosaku and Minokichi.
ある寒い雪の日、二人は山へ行って木を切っていましたが、いつのまにか、すっかり吹雪になってしまいました。
Words and notes
- あるone; a certainN5Used as a prenominal modifier meaning 'a certain': introduces an unspecified day.
- 寒いcold (weather)N5い-adjective modifying 雪の日: describes the day as cold.
- 雪snowN5Combined with の to form 雪の日 (snowy day).
- のofN5Links 雪 to 日: 'a day of snow' or 'snowy day'.
- 日dayN5Refers to the specific day on which the events occurred.
- 二人two personsN5The subject of the sentence: 'the two (of them)'.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 二人 as the topic of discussion.
- 山mountainN5Destination of movement, marked by へ.
- へto; towardN5Indicates direction of movement toward the mountain. Pronounced え.
- 行ってwent andN5て-form connecting to the next action: 'went (to the mountain) and…'
- 木treeN5Direct object of 切る: 'tree(s)'.
- を(object marker)N5Marks 木 as the object being cut.
- 切っていましたwere cuttingN5Past progressive (~ていました): describes ongoing action: 'were cutting (trees)'.
- がbutN4Used here as a conjunction connecting two clauses with a contrastive/sequential nuance.
- いつのまにかbefore one knowsN2Adverbial expression conveying that something happened without notice.
- すっかりcompletelyN3Adverb emphasizing the completeness of the change into a blizzard.
- 吹雪blizzardN2The state into which the weather changed.
- にintoN5Marks the result of the change: 'turned into a blizzard'.
- なってしまいましたended up becomingN4なる + てしまう (past polite): expresses an unintended/unfortunate complete change. Combined with すっかり, emphasizes that it fully turned into a blizzard.
English
One cold, snowy day, the two of them went to the mountain and were cutting trees, but before they knew it, it had completely turned into a blizzard.
仕方なく、二人は近くにあった小さな小屋に泊まって、吹雪がおさまるのを待っていましたが、いつまでたってもおさまりません。
Words and notes
- 仕方なくhaving no choiceN3Adverbial form of 仕方ない (cannot be helped). It sets the tone that the action that follows was done out of necessity.
- 二人two personsN5Subject of the sentence, referring to the two characters in the story.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 二人 as the topic of the sentence.
- 近くにnearN5近く (nearby) + に (location particle), meaning 'in the vicinity'.
- あったwas locatedN5Plain past form of ある, modifying 小屋. 'A small hut that was nearby'.
- 小さなsmallN4Pre-noun adjectival (連体詞) form of 小さい, used to directly modify 小屋.
- 小屋hutN3The place where the two stayed.
- にinN5Marks 小屋 as the location of staying.
- 泊まってstayed overnight andN4て-form of 泊まる, connecting to the next clause: 'they stayed and…'
- 吹雪blizzardN2Subject of the embedded clause 吹雪がおさまる.
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 吹雪 as the subject of おさまる within the embedded clause.
- おさまるto die downN2Plain form, used in the noun-clause 吹雪がおさまるの ('the storm subsiding').
- の(nominalizer)N5Nominalizes the preceding clause おさまる, making it the object of 待つ.
- を(object marker)N5Marks the nominalized clause as the object of 待っていました.
- 待っていましたwere waitingN4Past continuous polite form: て-form + いました. Indicates ongoing action in the past.
- がbutN4Clause-final が meaning 'but', contrasting the waiting with the storm not subsiding.
- いつまでたってもno matter how much time passedN2Set expression: いつまで (until when) + 経っても (even if [time] passes). Emphasizes that no matter how long they wait…
- おさまりませんdid not die downN2Polite negative form. The subject (吹雪) is omitted but understood from context.
English
Having no other choice, the two of them stayed in a small hut nearby and waited for the blizzard to die down, but no matter how long they waited, it just wouldn't let up.
とうとう、夜になってしまい、二人はすっかり眠り込んでしまいました。
Words and notes
- とうとうfinallyN2Adverb at the start emphasizing that something finally happened after a long wait or process.
- 夜nightN5Noun marked by に to indicate becoming/turning into night.
- にintoN5Marks the result/target of なる: 「夜になる」 means 'to become night'.
- なってしまいended up becomingN4て-form of なる + しまう in continuative (ます-stem) form. しまう adds a nuance of regret or completion ('unfortunately became'). The ます-stem ending 〜しまい connects to the next clause.
- 二人two personsN5Subject of the second clause, marked by は as the topic.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 二人 as the topic of the second clause.
- すっかりcompletelyN3Adverb modifying 眠り込む to emphasize the totality of falling asleep.
- 眠り込んでしまいましたended up falling fast asleepN2Compound verb 眠る (to sleep) + 込む (suffix indicating doing thoroughly/deeply) in て-form + しまいました (polite past of しまう), expressing complete/regrettable action.
English
At last, night fell, and the two of them ended up sound asleep.
どのくらい時間がたったでしょうか。
Words and notes
- どのくらいhow longN4An interrogative expression asking about quantity or degree. Here it asks 'how much time' has passed.
- 時間timeN5The subject of the verb 経つ. Refers to time passing.
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 時間 as the subject of the verb たった.
- たったhad passedN3Past plain form of 経つ (to pass, of time). Often written in hiragana as たつ. Combined with 時間が, it means 'time passed'.
- でしょうかI wonder; could it be?N5A softer, more reflective form of question than ですか. Expresses wondering or uncertainty: 'I wonder how much time has passed.'
English
How much time had passed?
むすこの美濃吉は、あまりの寒さに目を覚ましました。
Words and notes
- むすこsonN4Means son. Normally written as 息子, but here in hiragana.
- の(appositive marker)N5Links むすこ and 美濃吉 in apposition: “the son, Minokichi.”
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)A male given name. 美濃 is an old province name, and 吉 is a common name element meaning lucky or auspicious.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 美濃吉 as the topic of the sentence: the one who woke up.
- あまりのextreme; excessiveN2The pattern あまりの〜に means 'due to the excessive/extreme ~.' Here あまりの寒さに means 'because of the extreme cold.'
- 寒さcoldnessN4Noun form of the い-adjective 寒い (cold): formed by replacing い with さ to make 'coldness.'
- にdue toN5Used here to indicate cause/reason: 'due to the extreme coldness.' Common in the あまりの〜に pattern.
- 目を覚ましましたwoke upN4Set phrase literally meaning 'to bring eyes to consciousness.' 覚ましました is the past polite form of 覚ます (to awaken something). Indicates Minokichi woke up.
English
The son, Minokichi, woke up because of the bitter cold.
外は、まだ吹雪で、風がごーごーとなっています。
Words and notes
- 外outsideN5Refers to the area outside (of the house/building). Acts as the topic of the sentence.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 外 as the topic of the sentence.
- まだstillN5Indicates the snowstorm is still continuing.
- 吹雪blizzardN2Composed of 吹く (to blow) and 雪 (snow).
- でand; beingN5て-form of the copula だ, connecting the first clause to the next: 'is a snowstorm, and…'
- 風windN5Subject of the second clause.
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 風 as the subject of なっています.
- ごーごーとwith a roaring soundOnomatopoeia describing the roaring sound of the wind. The particle と marks it as a quoted/described sound modifying the verb.
- なっていますis roaringN4鳴る (to sound, to roar), written in hiragana, not なる 'to become.' て-form + います: the wind keeps roaring.
English
Outside, it was still a blizzard, and the wind was roaring.
小屋の戸が外れて外の雪が吹き込んでいます。
Words and notes
- 小屋hutN3The subject location, a small structure whose door has come off.
- の'sN5Links 小屋 and 戸, the door belonging to the hut.
- 戸doorN4The subject of 外れて, the door that has come off.
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 戸 as the subject of 外れて.
- 外れてhaving come offN2て-form of 外れる, connecting two clauses, because/and the door came off, snow blows in.
- 外outsideN5Note same kanji as 外れる but read そと here, modifying 雪 via の.
- 雪snowN5Subject of 吹き込んでいます.
- 吹き込んでいますwas blowing inN2Compound verb: 吹く (to blow) + 込む (to enter/go in). The ~ています form expresses an ongoing action, snow is blowing in.
English
The door of the hut had come off, and snow from outside was blowing in.
すると、そのとき、真っ白な着物を着た、色の白い美しい女がすーっと中に入ってきました。
Words and notes
- するとthen; thereuponN3Sentence-initial conjunction signaling that what follows happened immediately after the previous event.
- そのときat that timeN4Time expression pinpointing the moment of the action that follows.
- 真っ白なpure whiteな-adjective form modifying 着物. The prefix 真っ intensifies 白 to mean 'pure white.'
- 着物kimonoN5Object of 着た, marked by を.
- を(object marker)N5Marks 着物 as the direct object of 着た.
- 着たwearingN5Plain past form used as a relative clause modifying 女 ('a woman who was wearing…').
- 色colorN5Here means 'complexion' (skin color), part of the descriptive clause 色の白い ('fair-skinned').
- の(subject marker in a descriptive clause)N5Substitutes for が inside the relative clause 色の白い, marking 色 as the subject of 白い.
- 白いwhiteN5Predicate of 色の白い, 'whose complexion is white' (fair-skinned).
- 美しいbeautifulN4Directly modifies 女.
- 女womanN5Subject of the main verb 入ってきました; modified by multiple preceding clauses.
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 女 as the grammatical subject of the main clause.
- すーっとsmoothly; silentlyN2Onomatopoeic/mimetic adverb describing the smooth, silent manner of entering.
- 中insideN5Destination of motion, marked by に.
- にtoN5Indicates the destination of the entering motion.
- 入ってきましたcame inN4Polite past form of 入ってくる. The てくる auxiliary expresses motion toward the narrator's viewpoint.
English
Then, at that very moment, a beautiful, fair-skinned woman wearing a pure-white kimono came silently gliding inside.
女は、お父さんの茂作の上にかがむと、ふーっと白い息を吹きかけました。
Words and notes
- 女womanN5Refers to the mysterious woman (the Snow Woman in this folktale context). Subject of the sentence marked by は.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 女 as the topic of the sentence.
- お父さんfatherN5Refers to 美濃吉’s father, 茂作. The sentence is describing the father from Minokichi’s point of view.
- の(appositive marker)N5Links お父さん and 茂作 in apposition: “his father, Mosaku.”
- 茂作Mosaku (male given name)The name of the father in the story.
- 上aboveN5Indicates the location above Mosaku where the woman bent over.
- にoverN5Marks the location where the action of かがむ (bending over) is directed.
- かがむとwhen she bent overN2Dictionary form + と here functions as a sequential connector: 'when/upon bending over'. The と links the action to what follows.
- ふーっとwith a long breathOnomatopoeia/mimetic adverb describing the sound and manner of blowing breath.
- 白いwhiteN5Modifies 息 (breath), describing it as white (visible in cold air).
- 息breathN3Object of 吹きかける, the white breath she blew.
- を(object marker)N5Marks 息 as the direct object of 吹きかけました.
- 吹きかけましたblew ontoN2Polite past form of 吹きかける. A compound verb of 吹く (to blow) + かける (to apply onto), meaning to blow onto something.
English
The woman bent over his father, Mosaku, and blew a long white breath onto him.
すると、あっという間にお父さんの体は、白く凍りついて、眠ったまま死んでしまいました。
Words and notes
- すると(and) thenN3Sentence-initial conjunction connecting to the previous context, indicating that what follows happened as a result.
- あっという間にin an instantN3Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'in the time it takes to say ah.' Acts as an adverb modifying the rapid freezing.
- お父さんfatherN5Refers to 美濃吉’s father, 茂作, not the woman’s father.
- の'sN5Possessive particle linking お父さん to 体: “father’s body.”
- 体bodyN5The subject/topic of the latter half of the sentence: what becomes frozen and dies.
- は(topic marker)N5Topic marker: marks お父さんの体 as the topic about which the rest of the sentence comments.
- 白くwhite; turning whiteN5Adverbial form of 白い, modifying 凍りついて: 'froze whitely or froze white.'
- 凍りついてfroze solid andN2て-form connecting to the next clause. Compound verb: 凍る (to freeze) + つく (to attach/stick), giving the nuance of becoming completely frozen.
- 眠ったasleep; having sleptN4Plain past form modifying まま: the state of having fallen asleep.
- ままwhile stillN3Used after the past-tense verb 眠った to mean 'while still asleep or in the state of being asleep.' Common pattern: [past verb] + まま.
- 死んでdiedN5て-form of 死ぬ, connecting with しまいました to form the regretful/completed past expression.
- しまいましたended up; did completelyN4Polite past of しまう attached to 死んで, expressing finality and a sense of regret: 'ended up dying or unfortunately died.'
English
And then, in an instant, the father's body froze white, and he died in his sleep.
美濃吉は、心の中で「雪女だ!」と思いました。
Words and notes
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)The proper noun functioning as the topic of the sentence, marked by は.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 美濃吉 as the topic of the sentence.
- 心heartN3Part of the phrase 心の中で meaning 'in one's mind/heart'.
- の(descriptive particle)N5Links 心 and 中 in an associative relationship ('inside of the heart/mind').
- 中insideN5Combines with 心の to form 'inside the mind': i.e., thinking to oneself.
- でatN5Indicates the location where the action of thinking takes place ('in his mind').
- 雪女snow womanThe content of Minokichi's thought, made up of 雪 (snow) + 女 (woman).
- だisN5Plain-form copula used inside the quoted thought, giving the exclamation 'It's a Snow Woman!'
- と(quotation marker)N4Marks the preceding 「雪女だ!」 as the quoted content of the verb 思いました.
- 思いましたthoughtN4Polite past form of 思う. Combined with the と particle, it expresses '(he) thought, ―'.
English
In his mind, Minokichi thought, "It's the Snow Woman!"
雪の降る寒い夜に、人を凍え死にさせるという恐ろしい雪女です。
Words and notes
- 雪snowN5Subject of the relative clause 雪の降る (where snow falls), modifying 夜.
- の(descriptive particle)N5Here の replaces が to mark 雪 as the subject of 降る within a relative clause modifying 夜.
- 降るfallsN5Plain form verb in a relative clause modifying 夜.
- 寒いcoldN5い-adjective directly modifying 夜.
- 夜nightN5The noun being modified by the entire preceding clause 雪の降る寒い.
- にat; on (time)N5Marks 夜 as the time when the action takes place.
- 人person; peopleN5Direct object of the causative verb 凍え死にさせる.
- を(object marker)N5Marks 人 as the person being made to freeze to death.
- 凍え死にさせるmake (someone) freeze to deathN1The noun 凍え死に (freezing to death) + させる (causative of する): to make someone freeze to death.
- というcalled; thatN3Connects the preceding descriptive clause to 雪女, meaning 'a Snow Woman who [does the described action].' Here という means 'said to.'
- 恐ろしいterrifyingN3い-adjective modifying 雪女.
- 雪女snow womanThe main predicate noun. 雪 (snow) + 女 (woman) = a famous 妖怪, a supernatural being of Japanese folklore.
- ですis (polite)N5Polite copula concluding the sentence: '…is a Snow Woman.'
English
It was the dreaded Snow Woman, said to freeze people to death on cold, snowy nights.
美濃吉は、逃げようと思いましたが、体が動きません。
Words and notes
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)The name of the character, marked as the topic of the sentence with は.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 美濃吉 as the topic: the one whose state and actions are being described.
- 逃げようI'll run awayN4Volitional of 逃げる. Volitional + と思う: 'thought, I'll do it; meant to.' 'Tried to' is 〜ようとする.
- と(quotation marker)N4Marks the preceding volitional clause as the content of what was thought, linking to 思いました.
- 思いましたthoughtN4Polite past of 思う. Volitional + と思う: 'thought, I'll do it; meant to.' 'Tried to' is 〜ようとする.
- がbutN4Sentence-connecting が showing contrast: he meant to run, BUT his body wouldn't move.
- 体bodyN5The subject of the second clause, marked by が.
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 体 as the subject of 動きません.
- 動きませんwould not moveN5Polite negative non-past of 動く. Although the rest of the sentence is past tense, the present-tense negative here vividly conveys the ongoing 'frozen' state in the moment.
English
Minokichi wanted to run away, but his body wouldn't move.
雪女は、美濃吉に近づいて、その顔をじっとのぞきこんでいましたが、こう言いました。
Words and notes
- 雪女snow womanThe subject of the sentence, marked by は. 雪女 is a famous figure in Japanese folklore.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 雪女 as the topic of the sentence.
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)A proper name, here the target of the action 近づいて (approached).
- にtoN5Marks 美濃吉 as the target of approach.
- 近づいてapproached andN3て-form of 近づく, connecting to the next action.
- そのthat; theN5Refers to 美濃吉's face.
- 顔faceDirect object of のぞきこむ (to peer into).
- を(object marker)N5Marks 顔 as the object being peered into.
- じっとfixedlyN3Adverb modifying のぞきこむ, emphasizing the intensity of the stare.
- のぞきこんでpeering intoN2て-form of のぞきこむ, combined with いました to form past continuous.
- いましたwasN5Past polite form of いる, paired with the て-form to express past continuous: "was peering into."
- がand thenN4Here が functions as a soft connector between clauses, similar to "and then" rather than "but."
- こうlike thisN4Introduces what was about to be said, pointing forward to the upcoming quote.
- 言いましたsaidN5Past polite form of 言う, the main verb of the final clause.
English
The Snow Woman drew close to Minokichi and was intently peering into his face, and then she said this:
「お前は、美しい顔をしている。」
Words and notes
- お前you (informal)N2A blunt, familiar 'you' for someone below you. Here a spirit talks down to a human.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks お前 as the topic: the speaker is making a statement about 'you'.
- 美しいbeautifulN4An い-adjective in its dictionary (attributive) form, directly modifying the noun 顔 (face).
- 顔faceThe noun being modified by 美しい. It is the object that the subject 'has/possesses' via している.
- を(object marker)N5Marks 美しい顔 as the object of the verb する.
- しているhas; is havingN5て-form + いる of する. The pattern [Adjective]+[Body Part]+をしている is an idiom meaning 'to have/possess [a quality] [body part]': here, 'has a beautiful face.'
English
"You have a beautiful face."
「まだ若いし、助けてあげよう。」
Words and notes
- まだstillN5Adverb meaning 'still'. Here it indicates the subject is still in a young state.
- 若いyoungN5い-adjective in plain form describing the unstated subject (someone) as young.
- しand; becauseN4The particle し adds a reason: “since you are still young.” It often lists reasons or adds explanatory support.
- 助けてsave; helpN4て-form of 助ける, connecting to あげよう to form the giving-favor expression 助けてあげる (to help [for someone's benefit]).
- あげようI will do it for youN5Volitional form of あげる. In the pattern ~てあげよう, it means the speaker will do something for someone as a favor; here, she will spare/help Minokichi.
English
"You are still young, so I will spare you."
「ただし、今夜のことは、けっして誰にも話してはいけない。」
Words and notes
- ただしhowever; butN2Used at the start of the sentence to introduce a condition or restriction. Often follows a previous statement to add an important caveat.
- 今夜tonightN5Combines 今 (this/now) and 夜 (night). Linked by の to こと: 'what happened tonight.'
- の(descriptive particle)N5Connects 今夜 and こと, meaning "the matter of tonight" or "about tonight."
- ことmatter; thingN4Abstract noun meaning "matter" or "thing." Here it refers to what happened tonight: "the events of tonight."
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 今夜のこと as the topic: "as for the matter of tonight…"
- けっしてneverN3Emphatic adverb that pairs with a negative or prohibitive expression to mean "absolutely not." Here it strengthens the prohibition てはいけない.
- 誰anyoneN5Combined with にも to form 誰にも meaning "to anyone" (with negative: "to no one").
- にもto anyoneN3Combination of に (target/recipient) and も (even/also). With a negative, 誰にも means "to no one at all."
- 話してtellN5て-form of 話す, used here to connect with はいけない to form the prohibition pattern てはいけない ("must not ~").
- いけないmust notN4'Not allowed; no good.' In the pattern てはいけない, it conveys "must not do." Combined with 話して, it means "must not tell."
English
"However, you must never tell anyone about what happened tonight."
雪女は、静かに雪の中に消えていきました。
Words and notes
- 雪女snow womanCompound of 雪 (snow) and 女 (woman). The topic of the sentence, marked by は.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 雪女 as the topic of the sentence.
- 静かにquietlyN5The な-adjective 静か becomes an adverb when followed by に, modifying the verb 消えていきました.
- 雪snowN5The noun connected by の to 中, indicating where she disappeared into.
- の(descriptive particle)N5Links 雪 with 中 to form 'inside the snow'.
- 中insideN5Indicates the location 'inside the snow'.
- にtoN5Marks the destination/direction of the disappearance: into the snow.
- 消えていきましたdisappeared intoN5て-form of 消える + いく in past polite form. The 〜ていく pattern expresses an action moving away from the speaker or progressing into the distance: here, the gradual fading away of the Snow Woman.
English
The Snow Woman quietly faded away into the snow.
美濃吉は、そのまま気を失ってしまいました。
Words and notes
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)The subject of the sentence, marked by は as the topic. 美濃吉 is a male given name.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 美濃吉 as the topic of the sentence.
- そのままwithout changeN4Adverb meaning 'just like that' or 'without doing anything else'. Here it implies Minokichi lost consciousness right then and there, without any intervening actions.
- 気を失ってlost consciousnessN2A set expression meaning to lose consciousness or faint. Here it is in て-form before しまいました.
- しまいましたended upN4Auxiliary verb attached to the て-form of 失う. Expresses that the action was complete and often carries a nuance of regret or unintended outcome: here, that he unfortunately fainted.
English
Minokichi just lost consciousness right then and there.
朝、目が覚めると、お父さんは隣で死んでいました。
Words and notes
- 朝morningTime noun used adverbially at the start of the sentence to set when the event occurred.
- 目eyeN5Part of the set phrase 目が覚める (to wake up, literally 'eyes become awake').
- が(subject marker)N5Marks 目 as the grammatical subject of 覚める.
- 覚めるwoke upN4Dictionary form used before と to form a conditional/sequential clause meaning 'when (he) woke up'.
- とwhenN4Conditional/temporal と attached to dictionary form, indicating 'when X happened, Y was the case': often used for unexpected discoveries.
- お父さんfatherN5Polite term for father; the topic of the main clause.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks お父さん as the topic of the main clause.
- 隣next toN5Location noun indicating 'next to (him)'; works with で to mark where the state existed.
- でbeside; atN5Marks 隣 as the location where the state of being dead was found.
- 死んでいましたwas deadN5て-form + いました (past continuous/resultative state). With 死ぬ, the ている form expresses the resulting state 'is dead' rather than ongoing action; past tense yields 'was (already) dead.'
English
When he woke up in the morning, his father was dead beside him.
美濃吉は、ひとりで暮らすようになりましたが、雪女の話は、誰にもしませんでした。
Words and notes
- 美濃吉Minokichi (male given name)The subject of the sentence, marked by は. 美濃吉 is a male given name.
- は(topic marker)N5Marks 美濃吉 as the topic of the sentence.
- ひとりでalone; by himselfN5Adverbial phrase meaning 'alone' modifying 暮らす. The で here is the means/manner particle attached to ひとり (one person).
- 暮らすto liveN4Dictionary form used here as the modifier before ようになりました, indicating a change in living state.
- ようになりましたcame toN3Grammar pattern [verb dictionary form + ようになる] expressing a change of state or habit. Past polite form here means 'came to live alone': a transition from his previous life.
- がbutN4Sentence-connecting が, indicating a soft contrast between the two clauses: 'he came to live alone, but…'
- 雪女snow womanCompound of 雪 (snow) + 女 (woman). A famous supernatural being in Japanese folklore.
- の(descriptive particle)N5Links 雪女 with 話, meaning 'the story about the Snow Woman.'
- 話talkN4Object of the verb しませんでした (via the topic marker は). Here means 'the story (of the Snow Woman).'
- 誰にもto anyoneN4誰 (who) + に (to) + も (even/also). Combined with a negative verb, means 'to no one at all.'
- しませんでしたdid not tellN5Negative past of する. The object is 雪女の話, so the meaning is “did not tell/talk about.”
English
Minokichi came to live alone, but he never told anyone about the Snow Woman.
What has happened so far
Long ago, in a cold country, there lived a woodcutter and his son, Mosaku and Minokichi. One cold, snowy day the two went up the mountain and were cutting trees, but before they knew it, the snow had turned into a full blizzard. With no other choice, they stayed in a small hut nearby and waited for the storm to die down, but no matter how long they waited, it did not. At last night fell, and the two fell fast asleep.
How much time passed, no one can say. The son, Minokichi, woke up because of the terrible cold. Outside the blizzard was still roaring, the door of the hut had come loose, and snow was blowing in. Just then, a beautiful, pale woman in a pure white kimono glided silently inside. She bent over the father, Mosaku, and blew a long white breath on him. In an instant his body froze white, and he died in his sleep.
"It's the Snow Woman!" Minokichi thought: the dreadful spirit who freezes people to death on cold, snowy nights. He tried to run, but his body would not move. The Snow Woman came close and stared into his face, and then she said: "You have a beautiful face. You are still young, so I will spare you. But you must never tell anyone about tonight." Then she vanished quietly into the snow, and Minokichi fainted. When he woke in the morning, his father lay dead beside him. Minokichi came to live alone, and he never told anyone about the Snow Woman.
What happens next
A year later, on a winter day, a beautiful woman comes to Minokichi's door and asks to stay the night out of the snow. Her name is お雪. Look closely at that name.
What happens to Minokichi and お雪, and whether he keeps his promise, is in the book, along with a second legend in the same volume: 安珍と清姫.
Finish the story. Learn Japanese with Stories is our set of Japanese readers built from classic folktales and trickster tales: 20 eBooks and more than 40 stories, with furigana on every kanji, native audio at normal and slow speed, line-by-line vocabulary and grammar notes, a full English translation, and an Anki deck for every story. Every story also opens in the free Makoto Japanese Explorer app, where you can tap any word for its reading and meaning.
Story text from Learn Japanese with Stories, Volume 6: Yuki Onna by Clay and Yumi Boutwell. Audio read by Yumi Boutwell.

