The Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher

Long, long ago Japan was governed by Hohodemi, the fourth Mikoto (or Augustness) in descent from the illustrious Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. He was not only as handsome as his ancestress was beautiful, but he was also very strong and brave, and was famous for being the greatest hunter in the land. Because of his matchless skill as a hunter, he was called “Yama-sachi-hiko” or “The Happy Hunter of the Mountains.”

むかしむかし、日本は、名高い太陽の女神天照大神から四代目の尊(みこと)である火火出見(ほほでみ)に治められていた。この方は、先祖の女神が美しかったのに劣らず立派であったばかりか、たいそう力強く勇ましく、この国いちばんの狩人として名高かった。その並ぶもののない狩りの腕前ゆえに、「山幸彦」、すなわち「山の幸の男」と呼ばれた。

His elder brother was a very skillful fisher, and as he far surpassed all rivals in fishing, he was named “Umi-sachi-hiko” or the “Skillful Fisher of the Sea.” The brothers thus led happy lives, thoroughly enjoying their respective occupations, and the days passed quickly and pleasantly while each pursued his own way, the one hunting and the other fishing.

その兄はたいそう腕のよい漁師で、漁ではどんな相手をもはるかにしのいだので、「海幸彦」、すなわち「海の幸の男」と名づけられた。こうして兄弟は幸せに暮らし、それぞれの生業を心ゆくまで楽しみ、一人は狩り、一人は漁と、めいめいの道を行くうちに日々は足早に心地よく過ぎていった。

One day the Happy Hunter came to his brother, the Skillful Fisher, and said:

ある日、山幸彦は兄の海幸彦のところへ来て言った。

“Well, my brother, I see you go to the sea every day with your fishing rod in your hand, and when you return you come laden with fish. And as for me, it is my pleasure to take my bow and arrow and to hunt the wild animals up the mountains and down in the valleys. For a long time we have each followed our favorite occupation, so that now we must both be tired, you of your fishing and I of my hunting. Would it not be wise for us to make a change? Will you try hunting in the mountains and I will go and fish in the sea?”

「さて兄上、あなたは毎日釣り竿を手に海へ行き、帰るときには魚を担いで戻られます。わたしはといえば、弓矢を取って山を登り谷を下り、野の獣を狩るのが楽しみです。長いあいだ二人とも好きな生業に励んできましたから、今ではどちらも飽きているはずです。あなたは漁に、わたしは狩りに。取り替えてみるのは賢いことではないでしょうか。あなたが山で狩りをしてみて、わたしが海へ漁に行くというのは。」

The Skillful Fisher listened in silence to his brother, and for a moment was thoughtful, but at last he answered:

海幸彦は黙って弟の言うことを聞き、しばらく考え込んでいたが、とうとうこう答えた。

“O yes, why not? Your idea is not a bad one at all. Give me your bow and arrow and I will set out at once for the mountains and hunt for game.”

「ああ、よかろう。おまえの考えは少しも悪くない。おまえの弓矢をよこせ。わしはすぐに山へ出かけて獲物を狩ってこよう。」

So the matter was settled by this talk, and the two brothers each started out to try the other’s occupation, little dreaming of all that would happen. It was very unwise of them, for the Happy Hunter knew nothing of fishing, and the Skillful Fisher, who was bad tempered, knew as much about hunting.

こうしてこの話で事は決まり、二人の兄弟はそれぞれ相手の生業を試しに出かけていった。これから起こることなど夢にも思わずに。それはたいそう浅はかなことであった。山幸彦は漁のことを何も知らず、気性の荒い海幸彦もまた狩りのことを同じくらい知らなかったからである。

The Happy Hunter took his brother’s much-prized fishing hook and rod and went down to the seashore and sat down on the rocks. He baited his hook and then threw it into the sea clumsily. He sat and gazed at the little float bobbing up and down in the water, and longed for a good fish to come and be caught. Every time the buoy moved a little he pulled up his rod, but there was never a fish at the end of it, only the hook and the bait. If he had known how to fish properly, he would have been able to catch plenty of fish, but although he was the greatest hunter in the land he could not help being the most bungling fisher.

山幸彦は兄がたいそう大切にしている釣り針と竿を持って浜へ下り、岩の上に腰を下ろした。針に餌をつけ、それから不器用に海へ投げた。座って、水の上で上下に揺れる小さな浮きを見つめ、よい魚が来てかかってくれと願った。浮きが少し動くたびに竿を上げたが、その先に魚がいたことは一度もなく、あるのは針と餌ばかりであった。もし漁のやり方をきちんと知っていたなら、たくさん魚を釣れたであろう。けれども彼はこの国いちばんの狩人でありながら、このうえなく不器用な漁師にならざるをえなかった。

The whole day passed in this way, while he sat on the rocks holding the fishing rod and waiting in vain for his luck to turn. At last the day began to darken, and the evening came; still he had caught not a single fish. Drawing up his line for the last time before going home, he found that he had lost his hook without even knowing when he had dropped it.

こうして一日じゅうが過ぎ、彼は岩の上に座って釣り竿を握り、運が向くのをむなしく待っていた。とうとう日が暮れはじめ、夕方になった。それでも魚は一匹も釣れなかった。家へ帰る前に最後に糸を引き上げると、いつ落としたのかも知らぬうちに、針をなくしていたことに気づいた。

He now began to feel extremely anxious, for he knew that his brother would be angry at his having lost his hook, for, it being his only one, he valued it above all other things. The Happy Hunter now set to work to look among the rocks and on the sand for the lost hook, and while he was searching to and fro, his brother, the Skillful Fisher, arrived on the scene. He had failed to find any game while hunting that day, and was not only in a bad temper, but looked fearfully cross. When he saw the Happy Hunter searching about on the shore he knew that something must have gone wrong, so he said at once:

彼はこのうえなく不安になった。兄が針をなくしたことに怒るだろうと知っていたからである。兄にとってたった一本の針であり、ほかの何よりも大切にしていたものだった。山幸彦は、なくした針を岩のあいだや砂のなかに探しにかかった。そうしてあちこち探していると、兄の海幸彦がその場に着いた。その日は狩りをしても獲物がまるで見つからず、機嫌が悪いばかりか、恐ろしく不機嫌な顔をしていた。山幸彦が浜で探し回っているのを見て、何かまずいことが起きたにちがいないと知り、すぐにこう言った。

“What are you doing, my brother?”

「弟よ、何をしているのだ。」

The Happy Hunter went forward timidly, for he feared his brother’s anger, and said:

山幸彦は兄の怒りを恐れておずおずと進み出て言った。

“Oh, my brother, I have indeed done badly.”

「ああ兄上、わたしはまことにひどいことをしてしまいました。」

“What is the matter?—what have you done?” asked the elder brother impatiently.

「どうしたのだ——何をした」と兄はいらだたしげに尋ねた。

“I have lost your precious fishing hook—”

「あなたの大切な釣り針をなくしてしまったのです——」

While he was still speaking his brother stopped him, and cried out fiercely:

まだ言い終わらぬうちに兄は遮って、激しく叫んだ。

“Lost my hook! It is just what I expected. For this reason, when you first proposed your plan of changing over our occupations I was really against it, but you seemed to wish it so much that I gave in and allowed you to do as you wished. The mistake of our trying unfamiliar tasks is soon seen! And you have done badly. I will not return you your bow and arrow till you have found my hook. Look to it that you find it and return it to me quickly.”

「わしの針をなくしただと! まさに思ったとおりだ。だからこそ、おまえが最初に生業を取り替えようと言い出したとき、わしは本当は反対だったのだ。だがおまえがあまりに望むので折れて、思いどおりにさせてやった。不慣れな仕事を試す誤りは、すぐに現れる! そしておまえはひどいことをした。わしの針を見つけるまで、弓矢は返さぬ。早く見つけて返せ。」

The Happy Hunter felt that he was to blame for all that had come to pass, and bore his brother’s scornful scolding with humility and patience. He hunted everywhere for the hook most diligently, but it was nowhere to be found. He was at last obliged to give up all hope of finding it. He then went home, and in desperation broke his beloved sword into pieces and made five hundred hooks out of it.

山幸彦は、起きたことのすべては自分の咎だと感じて、兄のあざけりの叱責をへりくだって辛抱強く受けた。針をこのうえなく熱心にあちこち探したが、どこにも見あたらなかった。とうとう見つける望みをすっかりあきらめざるをえなかった。それから家へ帰り、やけになって愛用の太刀を打ち砕き、それで五百本の針を作った。

He took these to his angry brother and offered them to him, asking his forgiveness, and begging him to accept them in the place of the one he had lost for him. It was useless; his brother would not listen to him, much less grant his request.

それを怒っている兄のところへ持っていって差し出し、許しを乞い、なくした一本の代わりに受け取ってくださいと頼んだ。むだであった。兄は耳を貸すどころか、その願いを聞き入れようともしなかった。

The Happy Hunter then made another five hundred hooks, and again took them to his brother, beseeching him to pardon him.

そこで山幸彦はさらに五百本の針を作り、ふたたび兄のところへ持っていって許しを乞うた。

“Though you make a million hooks,” said the Skillful Fisher, shaking his head, “they are of no use to me. I cannot forgive you unless you bring me back my own hook.”

「百万本作ろうとも」と海幸彦は首を振って言った。「わしの役には立たぬ。わしの針そのものを返さぬかぎり、許すことはできぬ。」

Nothing would appease the anger of the Skillful Fisher, for he had a bad disposition, and had always hated his brother because of his virtues, and now with the excuse of the lost fishing hook he planned to kill him and to usurp his place as ruler of Japan. The Happy Hunter knew all this full well, but he could say nothing, for being the younger he owed his elder brother obedience; so he returned to the seashore and once more began to look for the missing hook. He was much cast down, for he had lost all hope of ever finding his brother’s hook now. While he stood on the beach, lost in perplexity and wondering what he had best do next, an old man suddenly appeared carrying a stick in his hand. The Happy Hunter afterwards remembered that he did not see from whence the old man came, neither did he know how he was there—he happened to look up and saw the old man coming towards him.

海幸彦の怒りを鎮めるものは何もなかった。性根が悪く、その徳のゆえにいつも弟を憎んでいたからで、今やなくした釣り針を口実に、弟を殺して日本の統べ手としてその座を奪おうと企んでいた。山幸彦はこれをみなよく知っていたが、何も言えなかった。弟である以上、兄に従う務めがあったからである。そこで浜へ戻り、もう一度なくした針を探しはじめた。兄の針を見つける望みをすっかり失っていたので、たいそう気落ちしていた。途方に暮れ、次にどうするのがいちばんよいかと思いあぐねて浜に立っていると、突然、手に杖を持った一人の老人が現れた。山幸彦はあとになって、その老人がどこから来たのかも見えず、どうしてそこにいるのかも分からなかったことを思い出した——ふと目を上げると、老人が自分のほうへ来るのが見えたのである。

“You are Hohodemi, the Augustness, sometimes called the Happy Hunter, are you not?” asked the old man. “What are you doing alone in such a place?”

「あなたは火火出見の尊、山幸彦とも呼ばれる方ではありませんか」と老人は尋ねた。「こんな場所でお一人で何をしておられる。」

“Yes, I am he,” answered the unhappy young man. “Unfortunately, while fishing I lost my brother’s precious fishing hook. I have hunted this shore all over, but alas! I cannot find it, and I am very troubled, for my brother won’t forgive me till I restore it to him. But who are you?”

「そうです、わたしがそれです」と不幸な若者は答えた。「あいにく、漁をしているあいだに兄の大切な釣り針をなくしてしまいました。この浜じゅうを探しましたが、ああ、見つかりません。兄は返すまで許さぬというので、たいそう困っているのです。けれどもあなたはどなたですか。」

“My name is Shiwozuchino Okina, and I live near by on this shore. I am sorry to hear what misfortune has befallen you. You must indeed be anxious. But if I tell you what I think, the hook is nowhere here—it is either at the bottom of the sea or in the body of some fish who has swallowed it, and for this reason, though you spend your whole life in looking for it here, you will never find it.”

「わたしの名は塩土の翁(しおつちのおきな)と申し、この浜の近くに住んでおります。どんな不運があなたに降りかかったかを聞いて、気の毒に思います。まことにご心配でしょう。けれども思うところを申し上げるなら、その針はここにはありません——海の底にあるか、それを呑み込んだ魚の腹のなかにあるかで、それゆえ、一生ここで探しつづけても決して見つかりますまい。」

“Then what can I do?” asked the distressed man.

「では、どうすればよいのでしょう」と悩める人は尋ねた。

“You had better go down to Ryn Gu and tell Ryn Jin, the Dragon King of the Sea, what your trouble is and ask him to find the hook for you. I think that would be the best way.”

「竜宮へ下っていって、海の竜王である竜神に、あなたの難儀を話し、針を探してくださいと頼まれるのがよろしい。それがいちばんの道かと存じます。」

“Your idea is a splendid one,” said the Happy Hunter, “but I fear I cannot get to the Sea King’s realm, for I have always heard that it is situated at the bottom of the sea.”

「それは見事な考えです」と山幸彦は言った。「けれども海の王の国は海の底にあるといつも聞いておりますので、そこへ行けぬのではないかと恐れます。」

“Oh, there will be no difficulty about your getting there,” said the old man; “I can soon make something for you to ride on through the sea.”

「なに、そこへ行くのは少しも難しいことではありません」と老人は言った。「海を渡るための乗り物を、すぐにこしらえて差し上げましょう。」

“Thank you,” said the Happy Hunter, “I shall be very grateful to you if you will be so kind.”

「ありがとうございます」と山幸彦は言った。「そうしてくださるなら、たいそうありがたく存じます。」

The old man at once set to work, and soon made a basket and offered it to the Happy Hunter. He received it with joy, and taking it to the water, mounted it, and prepared to start. He bade good by to the kind old man who had helped him so much, and told him that he would certainly reward him as soon as he found his hook and could return to Japan without fear of his brother’s anger. The old man pointed out the direction he must take, and told him how to reach the realm of Ryn Gu, and watched him ride out to sea on the basket, which resembled a small boat.

老人はただちに仕事にかかり、まもなく籠をこしらえて山幸彦に差し出した。彼は喜んでそれを受け取り、水際へ運んで乗り込み、出発の支度をした。これほど助けてくれた親切な老人に別れを告げ、針が見つかって兄の怒りを恐れずに日本へ帰れるようになったら、必ず礼をすると告げた。老人は行くべき方角を示し、竜宮への行き方を教えて、小さな舟のような籠に乗って海へ出ていく彼を見送った。

The Happy Hunter made all the haste he could, riding on the basket which had been given him by his friend. His queer boat seemed to go through the water of its own accord, and the distance was much shorter than he had expected, for in a few hours he caught sight of the gate and the roof of the Sea King’s Palace. And what a large place it was, with its numberless sloping roofs and gables, its huge gateways, and its gray stone walls! He soon landed, and leaving his basket on the beach, he walked up to the large gateway. The pillars of the gate were made of beautiful red coral, and the gate itself was adorned with glittering gems of all kinds. Large katsura trees overshadowed it. Our hero had often heard of the wonders of the Sea King’s Palace beneath the sea, but all the stories he had ever heard fell short of the reality which he now saw for the first time.

山幸彦は、友からもらった籠に乗ってできるかぎり急いだ。この奇妙な舟はひとりでに水を進んでいくようで、道のりは思っていたよりずっと短かった。数時間のうちに、海の王の宮殿の門と屋根が見えてきたのである。それはなんと大きな場所だったろう。数えきれぬ傾いた屋根と破風、巨大な門、そして灰色の石の壁! まもなく彼は上陸し、籠を浜に残して大きな門まで歩いていった。門の柱は美しい赤い珊瑚でできていて、門そのものはありとあらゆるきらめく宝玉で飾られていた。大きな桂の木がその上に影を落としていた。われらの英雄は海の底の海の王の宮殿の不思議をしばしば聞いていたが、これまでに聞いたどの話も、今初めて目にしたその現実には遠く及ばなかった。

The Happy Hunter would have liked to enter the gate there and then, but he saw that it was fast closed, and also that there was no one about whom he could ask to open it for him, so he stopped to think what he should do. In the shade of the trees before the gate he noticed a well full of fresh spring water. Surely some one would come out to draw water from the well some time, he thought. Then he climbed into the tree overhanging the well, and seated himself to rest on one of the branches, and waited for what might happen. Ere long he saw the huge gate swing open, and two beautiful women came out. Now the Mikoto (Augustness) had always heard that Ryn Gu was the realm of the Dragon King under the Sea, and had naturally supposed that the place was inhabited by dragons and similar terrible creatures, so that when he saw these two lovely princesses, whose beauty would be rare even in the world from which he had just come, he was exceedingly surprised, and wondered what it could mean.

山幸彦はすぐにも門を入りたかったが、固く閉ざされていて、開けてくれと頼める者も誰もいないのを見て、どうしたものかと考えるために足を止めた。門の前の木陰に、清らかな湧き水で満ちた井戸があるのに気づいた。きっといつか誰かが井戸へ水を汲みに出てくるだろう、と彼は思った。そこで井戸に張り出した木に登り、その枝の一本に腰を下ろして休み、何が起こるかを待った。まもなく大きな門が開くのが見え、二人の美しい女が出てきた。さて尊は、竜宮は海の底の竜王の国だといつも聞いていたので、当然そこには竜やそれに似た恐ろしい生き物が住んでいるものと思っていた。だからこの二人の麗しい姫君——その美しさは、彼が今来たばかりの世界でさえ稀なほどであった——を見て、このうえなく驚き、これはどういうことかといぶかった。

He said not a word, however, but silently gazed at them through the foliage of the trees, waiting to see what they would do. He saw that in their hands they carried golden buckets. Slowly and gracefully in their trailing garments they approached the well, standing in the shade of the katsura trees, and were about to draw water, all unknowing of the stranger who was watching them, for the Happy Hunter was quite hidden among the branches of the tree where he had posted himself.

けれども彼はひと言も言わず、木の葉ごしに黙って二人を見つめ、どうするのかを見守った。二人が手に金の桶を提げているのが見えた。裾を引く衣をまとって、ゆっくりと優雅に井戸へ近づき、桂の木の陰に立って水を汲もうとしていた。自分たちを見ている見知らぬ人のことなど、まるで知らなかった。山幸彦は陣取った木の枝のあいだにすっかり隠れていたからである。

As the two ladies leaned over the side of the well to let down their golden buckets, which they did every day in the year, they saw reflected in the deep still water the face of a handsome youth gazing at them from amidst the branches of the tree in whose shade they stood. Never before had they seen the face of mortal man; they were frightened, and drew back quickly with their golden buckets in their hands. Their curiosity, however, soon gave them courage, and they glanced timidly upwards to see the cause of the unusual reflection, and then they beheld the Happy Hunter sitting in the tree looking down at them with surprise and admiration. They gazed at him face to face, but their tongues were still with wonder and could not find a word to say to him.

二人が金の桶を下ろそうと井戸の縁から身を乗り出したとき——それは一年じゅう毎日していることであった——深く静かな水に、自分たちが陰に立つ木の枝のあいだからこちらを見つめる、美しい若者の顔が映っているのが見えた。人間の男の顔を見たのは初めてであった。二人は怯えて、金の桶を手にしたまま急いで後ずさった。けれども好奇心がまもなく勇気を与え、この見慣れぬ影のもとを見ようとおずおずと見上げた。すると木に座って、驚きと感嘆の目で自分たちを見下ろす山幸彦の姿が見えた。二人は顔と顔を合わせて彼を見つめたが、驚きに舌は動かず、かける言葉も見つからなかった。

When the Mikoto saw that he was discovered, he sprang down lightly from the tree and said:

尊は自分が見つかったと知ると、身軽に木から跳び降りて言った。

“I am a traveler, and as I was very thirsty I came to the well in the hopes of quenching my thirst, but I could find no bucket with which to draw the water. So I climbed into the tree, much vexed, and waited for some one to come. Just at that moment, while I was thirstily and impatiently waiting, you noble ladies appeared, as if in answer to my great need. Therefore I pray you of your mercy give me some water to drink, for I am a thirsty traveler in a strange land.”

「わたしは旅の者です。たいそう喉が渇いていたので、渇きを癒やせればと井戸へ来ましたが、水を汲む桶が見つかりませんでした。そこでたいそう困って木に登り、誰か来るのを待っていたのです。ちょうどそのとき、渇きに焦れて待っていると、あなたがた高貴な方々が、まるでわたしの大きな求めに応えるように現れました。ですからどうか憐れんで、飲む水を少しくださいませんか。見知らぬ国で喉の渇いた旅の者なのです。」

His dignity and graciousness overruled their timidity, and bowing in silence they both once more approached the well, and letting down their golden buckets drew up some water and poured it into a jeweled cup and offered it to the stranger.

その気品と丁重さは二人の怯えを打ち消し、二人は黙って頭を下げ、ふたたび井戸に近づいて、金の桶を下ろして水を汲み、それを玉の杯に注いで見知らぬ人に差し出した。

He received it from them with both hands, raising it to the height of his forehead in token of high respect and pleasure, and then drank the water quickly, for his thirst was great. When he had finished his long draught he set the cup down on the edge of the well, and drawing his short sword he cut off one of the strange curved jewels (magatama), a necklace of which hung round his neck and fell over his breast. He placed the jewel in the cup and returned it to them, and said, bowing deeply:

彼は両手でそれを受け取り、深い敬いと喜びのしるしに額の高さまで押しいただき、それから急いで水を飲んだ。ひどく渇いていたからである。長い喉の渇きを癒やし終えると、杯を井戸の縁に置き、短い剣を抜いて、首にかけて胸に垂れていた勾玉(まがたま)の首飾りから、その珍しい曲がった玉のひとつを切り取った。そして杯にその玉を入れて二人に返し、深く頭を下げて言った。

“This is a token of my thanks!”

「これはわたしの感謝のしるしです!」

The two ladies took the cup, and looking into it to see what he had put inside—for they did not yet know what it was—they gave a start of surprise, for there lay a beautiful gem at the bottom of the cup.

二人の女は杯を受け取り、彼が何を入れたのかを見ようとのぞき込んだ——まだそれが何か知らなかったからである——そして驚いてはっとした。杯の底に美しい宝玉が横たわっていたからである。

“No ordinary mortal would give away a jewel so freely. Will you not honor us by telling us who you are?” said the elder damsel.

「並みの人間なら、こんな宝玉をそう惜しみなくくださるはずがありません。どなたであるかをお教えくださって、わたしたちに光栄を賜りませんか」と姉の乙女が言った。

“Certainly,” said the Happy Hunter, “I am Hohodemi, the fourth Mikoto, also called in Japan, the Happy Hunter.”

「もちろんです」と山幸彦は言った。「わたしは四代目の尊、火火出見。日本では山幸彦とも呼ばれております。」

“Are you indeed Hohodemi, the grandson of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess?” asked the damsel who had spoken first. “I am the eldest daughter of Ryn Jin, the King of the Sea, and my name is Princess Tayotama.”

「まことに、太陽の女神天照大神の孫であられる火火出見さまでいらっしゃいますか」と先に口をきいた乙女が尋ねた。「わたくしは海の王竜神の長女で、名を豊玉姫(とよたまひめ)と申します。」

“And,” said the younger maiden, who at last found her tongue, “I am her sister, the Princess Tamayori.”

「そして」と、とうとう舌の動くようになった妹が言った。「わたくしはその妹、玉依姫(たまよりひめ)でございます。」

“Are you indeed the daughters of Ryn Jin, the King of the Sea? I cannot tell you how glad I am to meet you,” said the Happy Hunter. And without waiting for them to reply he went on:

「まことにあなたがたは海の王竜神の姫君なのですか。お会いできてどれほどうれしいか、言葉にできません」と山幸彦は言った。そして二人の返事を待たずに続けた。

“The other day I went fishing with my brother’s hook and dropped it, how, I am sure I can’t tell. As my brother prizes his fishing hook above all his other possessions, this is the greatest calamity that could have befallen me. Unless I find it again I can never hope to win my brother’s forgiveness, for he is very angry at what I have done. I have searched for it many, many times, but I cannot find it, therefore I am much troubled. While I was hunting for the hook, in great distress, I met a wise old man, and he told me that the best thing I could do was to come to Ryn Gu, and to Ryn Jin, the Dragon King of the Sea, and ask him to help me. This kind old man also showed me how to come. Now you know how it is I am here and why. I want to ask Ryn Jin, if he knows where the lost hook is. Will you be so kind as to take me to your father? And do you think he will see me?” asked the Happy Hunter anxiously.

「先日、兄の釣り針を借りて漁に出て、それを落としてしまったのです。どうしてかは、まことに分かりません。兄はその釣り針をほかのどんな持ち物よりも大切にしておりますから、これはわたしに降りかかりうる最大の災いなのです。もう一度見つけないかぎり、兄の許しを得る望みはありません。わたしのしたことにたいそう怒っているのです。幾度も幾度も探しましたが見つからず、それでたいそう困っております。針を探して途方に暮れていたとき、賢い老人に出会いまして、いちばんよいのは竜宮へ行って海の竜王である竜神にお会いし、助けを求めることだと教えてくれました。その親切な老人は、来る道も示してくれました。これでわたしがなぜここにいるのかがお分かりでしょう。わたしは竜神に、なくした針のありかをご存じかどうか尋ねたいのです。どうか父君のもとへ連れていっていただけませんか。そして、会ってくださるとお思いですか」と山幸彦は心配そうに尋ねた。

Princess Tayotama listened to this long story, and then said:

豊玉姫はこの長い話を聞いて、それからこう言った。

“Not only is it easy for you to see my father, but he will be much pleased to meet you. I am sure he will say that good fortune has befallen him, that so great and noble a man as you, the grandson of Amaterasu, should come down to the bottom of the sea.” And then turning to her younger sister, she said:

「父に会っていただくのはたやすいばかりか、父はあなたにお会いするのをたいそう喜びましょう。きっと、これは幸運が訪れたのだと申すはずです。あなたのように偉大で気高い、天照大神の孫であられる方が、海の底までおいでくださったのですから。」そして妹のほうを向いて言った。

“Do you not think so, Tamayori?”

「そう思いませんか、玉依姫。」

“Yes, indeed,” answered the Princess Tamayori, in her sweet voice. “As you say, we can know no greater honor than to welcome the Mikoto to our home.”

「はい、まことに」と玉依姫はその甘い声で答えた。「姉上の言われるとおり、尊さまをわが家へお迎えすること以上の誉れはございません。」

“Then I ask you to be so kind as to lead the way,” said the Happy Hunter.

「では、どうか先に立って案内してください」と山幸彦は言った。

“Condescend to enter, Mikoto (Augustness),” said both the sisters, and bowing low, they led him through the gate.

「どうぞお入りくださいませ、尊さま」と姉妹はともに言い、深く頭を下げて彼を門の内へ導いた。

The younger Princess left her sister to take charge of the Happy Hunter, and going faster than they, she reached the Sea King’s Palace first, and running quickly to her father’s room, she told him of all that had happened to them at the gate, and that her sister was even now bringing the Augustness to him. The Dragon King of the Sea was much surprised at the news, for it was but seldom, perhaps only once in several hundred years, that the Sea King’s Palace was visited by mortals.

妹の姫は、山幸彦の案内を姉に任せて、二人より速く行き、先に海の王の宮殿へ着いた。そして急いで父の部屋へ走り、門で二人に起きたことのすべてと、姉が今まさに尊をお連れしていることを告げた。海の竜王はこの知らせにたいそう驚いた。海の王の宮殿を人間が訪れることは稀で、おそらく数百年に一度しかなかったからである。

Ryn Jin at once clapped his hands and summoned all his courtiers and the servants of the Palace, and the chief fish of the sea together, and solemnly told them that the grandson of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, was coming to the Palace, and that they must be very ceremonious and polite in serving the august visitor. He then ordered them all to the entrance of the Palace to welcome the Happy Hunter.

竜神はただちに手を打って、廷臣と宮殿の家来たち、そして海の主立った魚をすべて呼び集め、太陽の女神天照大神の孫が宮殿へおいでになる、この尊い客をお迎えするには礼儀正しく丁重でなければならぬと、おごそかに告げた。それからみなに、宮殿の入口で山幸彦を迎えるようにと命じた。

Ryn Jin then dressed himself in his robes of ceremony, and went out to welcome him. In a few moments the Princess Tayotama and the Happy Hunter reached the entrance, and the Sea King and his wife bowed to the ground and thanked him for the honor he did them in coming to see them. The Sea King then led the Happy Hunter to the guest room, and placing him in the uppermost seat, he bowed respectfully before him, and said:

それから竜神は礼装をまとい、出迎えに出た。ほどなく豊玉姫と山幸彦が入口に着くと、海の王とその妻は地に伏して礼をし、おいでくださる誉れに感謝を述べた。それから海の王は山幸彦を客間へ導き、いちばん上座に据えて、その前にうやうやしく頭を下げて言った。

“I am Ryn Jin, the Dragon King of the Sea, and this is my wife. Condescend to remember us forever!”

「わたくしは海の竜王、竜神と申します。これはわが妻です。どうかいつまでもわれらをお心にとどめてくださいませ!」

“Are you indeed Ryn Jin, the King of the Sea, of whom I have so often heard?” answered the Happy Hunter, saluting his host most ceremoniously. “I must apologize for all the trouble I am giving you by my unexpected visit.” And he bowed again, and thanked the Sea King.

「まことに、しばしば噂に聞いた海の王、竜神どのでいらっしゃるか」と山幸彦は答え、このうえなく丁重に主に挨拶した。「思いがけぬ訪れでご迷惑をおかけしていることをお詫びせねばなりません。」そしてまた頭を下げ、海の王に礼を述べた。

“You need not thank me,” said Ryn Jin. “It is I who must thank you for coming. Although the Sea Palace is a poor place, as you see, I shall be highly honored if you will make us a long visit.”

「礼にはおよびません」と竜神は言った。「おいでくださったことに礼を申すべきはわたくしのほうです。ご覧のとおり、海の宮殿は粗末な場所ですが、長くご滞在くださるなら、このうえない誉れでございます。」

There was much gladness between the Sea King and the Happy Hunter, and they sat and talked for a long time. At last the Sea King clapped his hands, and then a huge retinue of fishes appeared, all robed in ceremonial garments, and bearing in their fins various trays on which all kinds of sea delicacies were served. A great feast was now spread before the King and his Royal guest. All the fishes-in-waiting were chosen from amongst the finest fish in the sea, so you can imagine what a wonderful array of sea creatures it was that waited upon the Happy Hunter that day. All in the Palace tried to do their best to please him and to show him that he was a much honored guest. During the long repast, which lasted for hours, Ryn Jin commanded his daughters to play some music, and the two Princesses came in and performed on the KOTO (the Japanese harp), and sang and danced in turns. The time passed so pleasantly that the Happy Hunter seemed to forget his trouble and why he had come at all to the Sea King’s Realm, and he gave himself up to the enjoyment of this wonderful place, the land of fairy fishes! Who has ever heard of such a marvelous place? But the Mikoto soon remembered what had brought him to Ryn Gu, and said to his host:

海の王と山幸彦のあいだには大きな喜びがあり、二人は座って長いあいだ語り合った。とうとう海の王が手を打つと、礼装をまとった魚たちの大行列が現れ、その鰭にさまざまな膳を捧げ、ありとあらゆる海の珍味が供された。今や王とその尊い客の前に、大きな宴が広げられた。給仕する魚はみな海でいちばん立派な魚から選ばれていたので、その日山幸彦に仕えた海の生き物たちが、どれほど見事な顔ぶれだったかは想像がつくだろう。宮殿じゅうの者が、彼を喜ばせ、たいそう尊い客であることを示そうと、力の限りを尽くした。幾時間も続いたこの長い食事のあいだ、竜神は娘たちに楽を奏でるよう命じ、二人の姫君が入ってきて琴を弾き、代わる代わる歌い舞った。時はあまりに心地よく過ぎたので、山幸彦は自分の難儀も、そもそもなぜ海の王の国へ来たのかも忘れてしまったように見え、この不思議な場所、妖しの魚たちの国を楽しむことに身を委ねた。こんな不思議な場所のことを、誰が聞いたことがあろう! けれども尊はまもなく、自分を竜宮へ来させたものを思い出し、主にこう言った。

“Perhaps your daughters have told you, King Ryn Jin, that I have come here to try and recover my brother’s fishing hook, which I lost while fishing the other day. May I ask you to be so kind as to inquire of all your subjects if any of them have seen a fishing hook lost in the sea?”

「姫君たちがお話しになったかもしれませんが、竜神どの、わたしは先日漁のあいだになくした兄の釣り針を取り戻そうとしてここへ来たのです。どうかご臣下のみなに、海でなくした釣り針を見た者はいないかとお尋ねくださいませんか。」

“Certainly,” said the obliging Sea King, “I will immediately summon them all here and ask them.”

「もちろんです」と気のよい海の王は言った。「ただちにみなをここへ呼び集めて尋ねましょう。」

As soon as he had issued his command, the octopus, the cuttlefish, the bonito, the oxtail fish, the eel, the jelly fish, the shrimp, and the plaice, and many other fishes of all kinds came in and sat down before Ryn Jin their King, and arranged themselves and their fins in order. Then the Sea King said solemnly:

王が命を下すやいなや、蛸、烏賊、鰹、牛尾魚、鰻、くらげ、海老、鰈、そのほかありとあらゆる種類の魚が大勢入ってきて、王である竜神の前に座り、鰭を整えて並んだ。それから海の王はおごそかに言った。

“Our visitor who is sitting before you all is the august grandson of Amaterasu. His name is Hohodemi, the fourth Augustness, and he is also called the Happy Hunter of the Mountains. While he was fishing the other day upon the shore of Japan, some one robbed him of his brother’s fishing hook. He has come all this way down to the bottom of the sea to our Kingdom because he thought that one of you fishes may have taken the hook from him in mischievous play. If any of you have done so you must immediately return it, or if any of you know who the thief is you must at once tell us his name and where he is now.”

「みなの前に座っておられるわれらの客人は、天照大神の尊き孫であらせられる。御名は火火出見の尊、四代目の尊であり、山幸彦とも呼ばれる。先日、日本の岸で漁をしておられたとき、何者かが兄君の釣り針を奪った。おまえたち魚のうちの誰かが、いたずらでその針を取ったのではないかとお考えになって、はるばる海の底のわが国まで下っておいでになったのだ。もし誰かがそうしたのなら、ただちに返さねばならぬ。また盗人が誰か知っている者があれば、ただちにその名と今どこにいるかを申せ。」

All the fishes were taken by surprise when they heard these words, and could say nothing for some time. They sat looking at each other and at the Dragon King. At last the cuttlefish came forward and said:

魚たちはみなこの言葉を聞いて不意を突かれ、しばらく何も言えなかった。互いに、また竜王の顔を見合わせて座っていた。とうとう烏賊が進み出て言った。

“I think the TAI (the red bream) must be the thief who has stolen the hook!”

「針を盗んだのは鯛にちがいないと存じます!」

“Where is your proof?” asked the King.

「その証はどこにある」と王は尋ねた。

“Since yesterday evening the TAI has not been able to eat anything, and he seems to be suffering from a bad throat! For this reason I think the hook may be in his throat. You had better send for him at once!”

「昨日の夕方から、鯛は何も食べられずにいて、喉をひどく痛めている様子でございます! それゆえ、針はその喉にあるのではないかと存じます。すぐにお呼びくださいませ!」

All the fish agreed to this, and said:

魚たちはみなこれに同意して言った。

“It is certainly strange that the TAI is the only fish who has not obeyed your summons. Will you send for him and inquire into the matter. Then our innocence will be proved.”

「お召しに応じなかった魚が鯛だけというのは、確かに妙でございます。お呼びになって、この件をお調べくださいませ。そうすればわたくしどもの潔白も証されましょう。」

“Yes,” said the Sea King, “it is strange that the TAI has not come, for he ought to be the first to be here. Send for him at once!”

「そうだ」と海の王は言った。「鯛が来ぬのは妙だ。真っ先にここへ来るべき者なのだからな。すぐに呼びにやれ!」

Without waiting for the King’s order the cuttlefish had already started for the TAI’S dwelling, and he now returned, bringing the TAI with him. He led him before the King.

王の命を待たずに、烏賊はもう鯛の住まいへ向かっていて、今や鯛を連れて戻ってきた。そして王の前へ導いた。

The TAI sat there looking frightened and ill. He certainly was in pain, for his usually red face was pale, and his eyes were nearly closed and looked but half their usual size.

鯛は怯えて病んだ様子で座っていた。まことに苦しんでいるらしく、いつもは赤い顔が青ざめ、目はほとんど閉じて、ふだんの半分ほどの大きさにしか見えなかった。

“Answer, O TAI!” cried the Sea King, “why did you not come in answer to my summons today?”

「答えよ、鯛!」と海の王は叫んだ。「なぜきょうのわが召しに応じて来なかったのだ。」

“I have been ill since yesterday,” answered the TAI; “that is why I could not come.”

「昨日から病んでおりました」と鯛は答えた。「それで参れなかったのでございます。」

“Don’t say another word!” cried out Ryn Jin angrily. “Your illness is the punishment of the gods for stealing the Mikoto’s hook.”

「それ以上言うな!」と竜神は怒って叫んだ。「その病は、尊の針を盗んだことへの神々の罰だ。」

“It is only too true!” said the TAI; “the hook is still in my throat, and all my efforts to get it out have been useless. I can’t eat, and I can scarcely breathe, and each moment I feel that it will choke me, and sometimes it gives me great pain. I had no intention of stealing the Mikoto’s hook. I heedlessly snapped at the bait which I saw in the water, and the hook came off and stuck in my throat. So I hope you will pardon me.”

「まことにそのとおりでございます!」と鯛は言った。「針はまだ喉にあって、取り出そうとした努力はみなむだでした。食べられず、息もほとんどできず、今にも喉が詰まるかと思われ、ときにはひどく痛みます。尊さまの針を盗むつもりなどございませんでした。水のなかに見えた餌に軽はずみに食いついたところ、針が外れて喉に刺さったのです。ですからどうかお許しくださいませ。」

The cuttlefish now came forward, and said to the King:

そこで烏賊が進み出て王に言った。

“What I said was right. You see the hook still sticks in the TAI’S throat. I hope to be able to pull it out in the presence of the Mikoto, and then we can return it to him safely!”

「わたくしの申したとおりでございました。ご覧のとおり針はまだ鯛の喉に刺さっております。尊さまの御前で引き抜いて、無事にお返しできればと存じます!」

“O please make haste and pull it out!” cried the TAI, pitifully, for he felt the pains in his throat coming on again; “I do so want to return the hook to the Mikoto.”

「ああ、どうか早く引き抜いてください!」と鯛は哀れな声で叫んだ。喉の痛みがまたぶり返してきたのである。「尊さまに針をお返ししとうございます。」

“All right, TAI SAN,” said his friend the cuttlefish, and then opening the TAI’S mouth as wide as he could and putting one of his feelers down the TAI’S throat, he quickly and easily drew the hook out of the sufferer’s large mouth. He then washed it and brought it to the King.

「よし、鯛どの」と友の烏賊は言い、鯛の口をできるかぎり大きく開けて、足の一本を喉に差し入れ、その苦しむ者の大きな口から、すばやくたやすく針を引き出した。それから針を洗って王のもとへ持っていった。

Ryn Jin took the hook from his subject, and then respectfully returned it to the Happy Hunter (the Mikoto or Augustness, the fishes called him), who was overjoyed at getting back his hook. He thanked Ryn Jin many times, his face beaming with gratitude, and said that he owed the happy ending of his quest to the Sea King’s wise authority and kindness.

竜神は臣下から針を受け取り、それをうやうやしく山幸彦(魚たちは尊と呼んだ)に返した。山幸彦は針を取り戻して大喜びであった。感謝に顔を輝かせて幾度も竜神に礼を述べ、この探索が幸いに終わったのは、海の王の賢い裁きと親切のおかげだと言った。

Ryn Jin now desired to punish the TAI, but the Happy Hunter begged him not to do so; since his lost hook was thus happily recovered he did not wish to make more trouble for the poor TAI. It was indeed the TAI who had taken the hook, but he had already suffered enough for his fault, if fault it could be called. What had been done was done in heedlessness and not by intention. The Happy Hunter said he blamed himself; if he had understood how to fish properly he would never have lost his hook, and therefore all this trouble had been caused in the first place by his trying to do something which he did not know how to do. So he begged the Sea King to forgive his subject.

竜神は鯛を罰したがったが、山幸彦はそうしないでくださいと乞うた。なくした針はこうして幸いにも戻ったのだから、哀れな鯛にこれ以上の難儀をかけたくなかったのである。まことに針を取ったのは鯛であったが、もしそれを咎と呼べるとしても、鯛はもう十分にその咎の報いを受けている。なされたことは軽はずみからであって、故意ではなかった。山幸彦は自分を責めるのだと言った。もし漁のやり方をきちんと心得ていれば針をなくすこともなかったのだから、この難儀のすべては、そもそも自分が知りもしないことをしようとしたことから起きたのだ、と。だから臣下を許してくださいと海の王に乞うた。

Who could resist the pleading of so wise and compassionate a judge? Ryn Jin forgave his subject at once at the request of his august guest. The TAI was so glad that he shook his fins for joy, and he and all the other fish went out from the presence of their King, praising the virtues of the Happy Hunter.

これほど賢く情け深い裁き手の訴えに、誰が抗えよう。竜神は尊い客の求めに応じて、ただちに臣下を許した。鯛はあまりに喜んで鰭を震わせ、彼もほかの魚たちもみな、山幸彦の徳をたたえながら王の前を退出した。

Now that the hook was found the Happy Hunter had nothing to keep him in Ryn Gu, and he was anxious to get back to his own kingdom and to make peace with his angry brother, the Skillful Fisher; but the Sea King, who had learnt to love him and would fain have kept him as a son, begged him not to go so soon, but to make the Sea Palace his home as long as ever he liked. While the Happy Hunter was still hesitating, the two lovely Princesses, Tayotama and Tamayori, came, and with the sweetest of bows and voices joined with their father in pressing him to stay, so that without seeming ungracious he could not say them “Nay,” and was obliged to stay on for some time.

針が見つかった以上、山幸彦を竜宮に留めるものは何もなく、彼は自分の国へ帰って、怒っている兄の海幸彦と和解したいと願っていた。けれども彼を愛するようになり、できれば息子として留めておきたいと思っていた海の王は、そんなに早く行かないで、望むかぎりいつまでも海の宮殿をわが家としてくださいと乞うた。山幸彦がまだためらっていると、二人の麗しい姫君、豊玉姫と玉依姫が来て、このうえなく甘い会釈と声で父とともに引きとめたので、無礼にならずには「いいえ」とは言えず、しばらく留まらざるをえなかった。

Between the Sea Realm and the Earth there was no difference in the night of time, and the Happy Hunter found that three years went fleeting quickly by in this delightful land. The years pass swiftly when any one is truly happy. But though the wonders of that enchanted land seemed to be new every day, and though the Sea King’s kindness seemed rather to increase than to grow less with time, the Happy Hunter grew more and more homesick as the days passed, and he could not repress a great anxiety to know what had happened to his home and his country and his brother while he had been away.

海の国と地上とでは時の夜に違いはなく、山幸彦は、この心地よい国で三年が足早に過ぎていったことを知った。人がまことに幸せなとき、年月は速く過ぎるものである。けれどもこの魔法の国の不思議は日ごとに新しく思われ、海の王の親切も時とともに薄れるどころかむしろ増すように見えたにもかかわらず、日が過ぎるにつれて山幸彦はますます故郷が恋しくなり、留守のあいだに自分の家と国と兄に何が起きたかを知りたいという大きな不安を抑えられなくなった。

So at last he went to the Sea King and said:

そこでとうとう海の王のところへ行って言った。

“My stay with you here has been most happy and I am very grateful to you for all your kindness to me, but I govern Japan, and, delightful as this place is, I cannot absent myself forever from my country. I must also return the fishing hook to my brother and ask his forgiveness for having deprived him of it for so long. I am indeed very sorry to part from you, but this time it cannot be helped. With your gracious permission, I will take my leave to-day. I hope to make you another visit some day. Please give up the idea of my staying longer now.”

「ここでの滞在はこのうえなく幸せなもので、あなたのご親切のすべてにたいそう感謝しております。けれどもわたしは日本を治める身であり、この場所がどれほど心地よくとも、いつまでも国を留守にはできません。また兄に釣り針を返し、これほど長く奪っていたことへの許しを乞わねばなりません。あなたと別れるのはまことに辛いのですが、こんどばかりはいたしかたありません。お許しをいただいて、きょうお暇いたします。いつかまたお訪ねしたく存じます。どうかこれ以上留まれというお考えはお捨てください。」

King Ryn Jin was overcome with sorrow at the thought that he must lose his friend who had made a great diversion in the Palace of the Sea, and his tears fell fast as he answered:

竜神は、海の宮殿に大きな彩りを与えてくれたこの友を失わねばならぬと思って悲しみに打ちひしがれ、涙をはらはらとこぼしながら答えた。

“We are indeed very sorry to part with you, Mikoto, for we have enjoyed your stay with us very much. You have been a noble and honored guest and we have heartily made you welcome. I quite understand that as you govern Japan you ought to be there and not here, and that it is vain for us to try and keep you longer with us, much as we would like to have you stay. I hope you will not forget us. Strange circumstances have brought us together and I trust the friendship thus begun between the Land and the Sea will last and grow stronger than it has ever been before.”

「尊さまとお別れするのは、まことにたいそう辛いことでございます。ご滞在をたいそう楽しませていただきましたから。あなたは気高く誉れある客人であり、われらは心から歓迎いたしました。日本を治めておいでの以上、ここではなくあちらにおられるべきこと、どれほどお留めしたくとも、これ以上お引きとめするのはむだであることは、よく分かっております。どうかわれらをお忘れなきよう。不思議ないきさつがわれらを引き合わせました。こうして始まった地と海の友情が続き、これまでよりもいっそう強くなることを願っております。」

When the Sea King had finished speaking he turned to his two daughters and bade them bring him the two Tide-Jewels of the Sea. The two Princesses bowed low, rose and glided out of the hall. In a few minutes they returned, each one carrying in her hands a flashing gem which filled the room with light. As the Happy Hunter looked at them he wondered what they could be. The Sea King took them from his daughters and said to his guest:

海の王は語り終えると、二人の娘のほうを向いて、海の二つの潮の珠を持ってくるようにと命じた。二人の姫君は深く頭を下げ、立ち上がって広間を滑るように出ていった。まもなく二人は戻り、それぞれ手に、部屋を光で満たす閃く宝玉を捧げていた。山幸彦はそれを見て、これは何だろうといぶかった。海の王は娘たちからそれを受け取って、客に言った。

“These two valuable talismans we have inherited from our ancestors from time immemorial. We now give them to you as a parting gift in token of our great affection for you. These two gems are called the nanjiu and the kanjiu.”

「この二つの貴い護符は、いにしえよりわれらが先祖から受け継いだものです。あなたへの深い情のしるしに、別れの贈り物として差し上げます。この二つの珠は、なんじゅと、かんじゅと申します。」

The Happy Hunter bowed low to the ground and said:

山幸彦は地に深く頭を下げて言った。

“I can never thank you enough for all your kindness to me. And now will you add one more favor to the rest and tell me what these jewels are and what I am to do with them?”

「あなたのご親切のすべてに、どれほど感謝しても足りません。そこでもうひとつお願いがあります。この珠が何であり、わたしはこれをどう使えばよいのかを教えてくださいませんか。」

“The nanjiu,” answered the Sea King, “is also called the Jewel of the Flood Tide, and whoever holds it in his possession can command the sea to roll in and to flood the land at any time that he wills. The kanjiu is also called the Jewel of the Ebbing Tide, and this gem controls the sea and the waves thereof, and will cause even a tidal wave to recede.”

「なんじゅは」と海の王は答えた。「潮満つ珠とも呼ばれ、これを手にする者は、望むときにいつでも海に押し寄せて陸を浸すよう命じることができます。かんじゅは潮干る珠とも呼ばれ、この珠は海とその波を治め、津波さえも退かせるのです。」

Then Ryn Jin showed his friend how to use the talismans one by one and handed them to him. The Happy Hunter was very glad to have these two wonderful gems, the Jewel of the Flood Tide and the Jewel of the Ebbing Tide, to take back with him, for he felt that they would preserve him in case of danger from enemies at any time. After thanking his kind host again and again, he prepared to depart. The Sea King and the two Princesses, Tayotama and Tamayori, and all the inmates of the Palace, came out to say “Good-by,” and before the sound of the last farewell had died away the Happy Hunter passed out from under the gateway, past the well of happy memory standing in the shade of the great KATSURA trees on his way to the beach.

それから竜神は友にその護符の使い方をひとつずつ示して手渡した。山幸彦は、潮満つ珠と潮干る珠というこの二つの不思議な宝玉を持ち帰れることをたいそう喜んだ。いつか敵から危難が及んだときに、これが自分を守ってくれると感じたからである。親切な主に幾度も幾度も礼を述べてから、旅立ちの支度をした。海の王と二人の姫君、豊玉姫と玉依姫、そして宮殿の者たちみなが別れを告げに出てきた。そして最後の別れの声が消えぬうちに、山幸彦は門をくぐり、大きな桂の木の陰に立つ、幸せな思い出の井戸のそばを通って、浜への道をたどった。

Here he found, instead of the queer basket on which he had come to the Realm of Ryn Gu, a large crocodile waiting for him. Never had he seen such a huge creature. It measured eight fathoms in length from the tip of its tail to the end of its long mouth. The Sea King had ordered the monster to carry the Happy Hunter back to Japan. Like the wonderful basket which Shiwozuchino Okina had made, it could travel faster than any steamboat, and in this strange way, riding on the back of a crocodile, the Happy Hunter returned to his own land.

ここで彼は、竜宮の国へ来たときのあの奇妙な籠の代わりに、大きな鰐が待っているのを見た。これほど巨大な生き物を見たことがなかった。尾の先から長い口の端まで、その長さは八尋あった。海の王がこの怪物に、山幸彦を日本へ運んで帰るよう命じたのである。塩土の翁が作った不思議な籠と同じく、それはどんな蒸気船よりも速く進むことができた。こうして鰐の背に乗るという不思議なやり方で、山幸彦は自分の国へ帰った。

As soon as the crocodile landed him, the Happy Hunter hastened to tell the Skillful Fisher of his safe return. He then gave him back the fishing hook which had been found in the mouth of the TAI and which had been the cause of so much trouble between them. He earnestly begged his brother’s forgiveness, telling him all that had happened to him in the Sea King’s Palace and what wonderful adventures had led to the finding of the hook.

鰐が彼を陸に下ろすやいなや、山幸彦は急いで海幸彦に無事の帰りを告げた。それから、鯛の口のなかで見つかった、二人のあいだにこれほどの難儀をもたらしたあの釣り針を返した。そして兄の許しを切に乞い、海の王の宮殿で身に起きたことのすべてと、どんな不思議な冒険が針の発見に至ったかを語った。

Now the Skillful Fisher had used the lost hook as an excuse for driving his brother out of the country. When his brother had left him that day three years ago, and had not returned, he had been very glad in his evil heart and had at once usurped his brother’s place as ruler of the land, and had become powerful and rich. Now in the midst of enjoying what did not belong to him, and hoping that his brother might never return to claim his rights, quite unexpectedly there stood the Happy Hunter before him.

さて海幸彦は、なくした針を口実にして弟を国から追い出していた。三年前のあの日、弟が自分のもとを去って戻らなかったとき、その邪な心はたいそう喜び、ただちに弟に代わって国の統べ手の座を奪い、力を持ち富んでいた。今や自分のものではないものを享受しながら、弟が二度と権利を主張しに戻らぬようにと願っていたところへ、まったく思いがけず山幸彦が目の前に立っていたのである。

The Skillful Fisher feigned forgiveness, for he could make no more excuses for sending his brother away again, but in his heart he was very angry and hated his brother more and more, till at last he could no longer bear the sight of him day after day, and planned and watched for an opportunity to kill him.

海幸彦は許すふりをした。弟をまた追い払う口実がもう作れなかったからである。けれども心のなかではたいそう怒っていて、日ごとに弟を憎み、とうとうその姿を日ごとに見るのにも耐えられなくなり、殺す機会をうかがい、その策を練った。

One day when the Happy Hunter was walking in the rice fields his brother followed him with a dagger. The Happy Hunter knew that his brother was following him to kill him, and he felt that now, in this hour of great danger, was the time to use the Jewels of the Flow and Ebb of the Tide and prove whether what the Sea King had told him was true or not.

ある日、山幸彦が田を歩いていると、兄が短刀を持ってあとをつけてきた。山幸彦は兄が自分を殺そうと追ってきていることを知り、今この大きな危難の時こそ、潮の満ち引きの珠を使い、海の王の言ったことが本当かどうかを確かめる時だと感じた。

So he took out the Jewel of the Flood Tide from the bosom of his dress and raised it to his forehead. Instantly over the fields and over the farms the sea came rolling in wave upon wave till it reached the spot where his brother was standing. The Skillful Fisher stood amazed and terrified to see what was happening. In another minute he was struggling in the water and calling on his brother to save him from drowning.

そこで懐から潮満つ珠を取り出し、額まで掲げた。たちまち田を越え畑を越えて、海が波また波と押し寄せ、とうとう兄の立つ場所まで届いた。海幸彦は、起きていることを見て驚き、恐れおののいて立っていた。次の瞬間には水のなかでもがき、溺れるのを助けてくれと弟に叫んでいた。

The Happy Hunter had a kind heart and could not bear the sight of his brother’s distress. He at once put back the Jewel of the Flood Tide and took out the Jewel of the Ebb Tide. No sooner did he hold it up as high as his forehead than the sea ran back and back, and ere long the tossing rolling floods had vanished, and the farms and fields and dry land appeared as before.

山幸彦は優しい心を持っていて、兄の苦しむさまを見るに忍びなかった。すぐに潮満つ珠を懐に戻し、潮干る珠を取り出した。それを額の高さに掲げるやいなや、海はどんどん退いていき、まもなく荒れうねる洪水は消え失せて、畑も田も乾いた地も、もとどおりに現れた。

The Skillful Fisher was very frightened at the peril of death in which he had stood, and was greatly impressed by the wonderful things he had seen his brother do. He learned now that he was making a fatal mistake to set himself against his brother, younger than he thought he was, for he now had become so powerful that the sea would flow in and the tide ebb at his word of command. So he humbled himself before the Happy Hunter and asked him to forgive him all the wrong he had done him. The Skillful Fisher promised to restore his brother to his rights and also swore that though the Happy Hunter was the younger brother and owed him allegiance by right of birth, that he, the Skillful Fisher, would exalt him as his superior and bow before him as Lord of all Japan.

海幸彦は、自分が立たされた死の危難にたいそう怯え、弟のなした不思議なことに深く心を打たれた。今や彼は、自分が思っていたよりも幼い弟に逆らうのは命取りの過ちだと悟った。弟は今やあまりに力を持っていて、その命ずるひと言で海が満ち、潮が引くのだから。そこで山幸彦の前に身を低くし、これまで働いた不当のすべてを許してくれと乞うた。海幸彦は弟の権利を返すと約束し、また、山幸彦は弟であって生まれの順によって自分に従う務めがあるけれども、自分、海幸彦は弟を上位の者として奉じ、日本すべての主として頭を下げようと誓った。

Then the Happy Hunter said that he would forgive his brother if he would throw into the receding tide all his evil ways. The Skillful Fisher promised and there was peace between the two brothers. From this time he kept his word and became a good man and a kind brother.

すると山幸彦は、兄が邪なやり方をみな退く潮に投げ捨てるなら許そうと言った。海幸彦は約束し、二人の兄弟のあいだに平和が戻った。このときから兄は約束を守り、善良な人となり、優しい兄となった。

The Happy Hunter now ruled his Kingdom without being disturbed by family strife, and there was peace in Japan for a long, long time. Above all the treasures in his house he prized the wonderful Jewels of the Flow and Ebb of the Tide which had been given him by Ryn Jin, the Dragon King of the Sea.

山幸彦は今や、家の争いに乱されることなくその国を治め、日本には長い長いあいだ平和が続いた。家の宝のうちで何よりも大切にしたのは、海の竜王竜神から贈られた、あの不思議な潮の満ち引きの珠であった。

This is the congratulatory ending of the Happy Hunter and the Skillful Fisher.

これが山幸彦と海幸彦のめでたい結びである。