
Title: 法螺男爵旅土産 (Horadanshaku tabimiyage)
Setsusei, a restless youth on the cusp of adulthood, finally receives his father's permission to accompany a sea voyage to Ceylon. The trip quickly turns dramatic when a fierce storm uproots a massive tree, sending it soaring like a feathered bird before it crashes back down, crushing a local chief and his followers. Amid the chaos, an odd couple clutches cucumbers, their presence adding a surreal touch to the already bewildering scene. The ship steadies, and the battered crew reaches the island, greeted with a formal yet curious reception.
Soon after docking, Setsusei is drawn to a tranquil lake where an unsettling rustle catches his attention. He spots a lion prowling the shore and, moments later, a massive crocodile lunges from the water, its jaws opening wide. Armed with a modest cannon loaded with white‑bird ammunition, he attempts a desperate defense, but the animal's roar only heightens the tension. The encounter leaves him teetering between awe and fear, hinting at further perilous adventures ahead.
Language
ja
Duration
~54 minutes (52K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Masaki Shibata
Release date
2010-10-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1883–1964
Known for bringing a warm, comic touch to modern Japanese fiction, this novelist and translator also helped introduce generations of readers to Mark Twain. His life in education and literature gave his work an easy wit and a strong feel for everyday people.
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