むしまつり峠

Mushimatsuri Pass

Mushimatsuri Pass
昔、山の近くに「ありがたやのじじ」と呼ばれる優しいおじいさんがいました

Once upon a time, there was a kind old man called "Arigataya no Jiji" near the mountain.

Once upon a time, there was a kind old man called "Arigataya no Jiji" near the mountain.
おじいさんは虫を殺しませんでした

Grandpa didn't kill insects

Grandpa didn't kill insects
人間は死ぬのがいちばん怖いので、虫も同じだと思っていたからです

Humans are most afraid of dying, so I thought insects were the same way.

Humans are most afraid of dying, so I thought insects were the same way.
ある日、おじいさんは、隣の町に荷物を届けに行きました

One day, the old man went to the next town to deliver a package.

One day, the old man went to the next town to deliver a package.
山賊が出るといううわさがあったので、おじいさんは山の神様に「命と荷物を取られないようにして下さい」と祈りました

There were rumors that bandits would appear, so the old man prayed to the mountain god, ``Please keep my life and belongings from being stolen.''

There were rumors that bandits would appear, so the old man prayed to the mountain god, ``Please keep my life and belongings from being stolen.''
しかし、山賊が出てきて「命が惜しかったら荷物を置いていけ」と言いました

But a bandit came out and said, ``If you risk your life, leave your luggage behind.''

But a bandit came out and said, ``If you risk your life, leave your luggage behind.''
おじいさんは山の神様に祈りました

The grandfather prayed to the mountain god.

The grandfather prayed to the mountain god.
「荷物と私の命を守ってください

“Please protect my luggage and my life.

“Please protect my luggage and my life.
命を助けてくれたら、神様をおまつりする建物を必ず建てます」
すると、神様の声が聞こえました

If you spare my life, I will definitely build a building to honor God.'' Then I heard God's voice.

If you spare my life, I will definitely build a building to honor God.'' Then I heard God's voice.
「わらじを脱いで、頭にのせなさい

“Take off your waraji and put it on your head.

“Take off your waraji and put it on your head.
命を助けてやる」
おじいさんがわらじを頭にのせると、わらじ虫になりました

I'll save your life.'' The old man put a waraji on his head and it turned into a waraji bug.

I'll save your life.'' The old man put a waraji on his head and it turned into a waraji bug.
そして、荷物は空を飛んで行きました

And the luggage flew into the sky

And the luggage flew into the sky
山賊は神様が怒ったと思って、逃げて行きました

The bandits thought God was angry and ran away.

The bandits thought God was angry and ran away.
おじいさんは小さな虫になってしまいましたが、神様に感謝しました

Grandfather turned into a small insect, but he thanked God.

Grandfather turned into a small insect, but he thanked God.
そして、約束どおり、神様をおまつりする建物を建てました

And, as promised, we built a building to worship God.

And, as promised, we built a building to worship God.
虫が建てたので、とても小さな建物になりました

The insect built it, so it became a very small building.

The insect built it, so it became a very small building.
それから、この山の道を「むしまつり峠」と呼ぶようになりました

Then, this mountain road came to be called "Mushimatsuri Pass"

Then, this mountain road came to be called "Mushimatsuri Pass"