Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach

Long, long ago there lived, an old man and an old woman; they were peasants, and had to work hard to earn their daily rice. The old man used to go and cut grass for the farmers around, and while he was gone the old woman, his wife, did the work of the house and worked in their own little rice field.

むかしむかし、爺さんと婆さんが住んでいた。二人は百姓で、日々の米を得るために懸命に働かねばならなかった。爺さんはあたりの百姓のために草を刈りに行き、その留守のあいだ、妻の婆さんは家のことをして、自分たちの小さな田で働いた。

One day the old man went to the hills as usual to cut grass and the old woman took some clothes to the river to wash.

ある日、爺さんはいつものように草を刈りに山へ行き、婆さんは洗濯物を持って川へ出かけた。

It was nearly summer, and the country was very beautiful to see in its fresh greenness as the two old people went on their way to work. The grass on the banks of the river looked like emerald velvet, and the pussy willows along the edge of the water were shaking out their soft tassels.

もう夏も近く、二人の老人が仕事へ向かう道すがら、国じゅうはみずみずしい緑に包まれてたいそう美しかった。川の土手の草は翠玉の天鵞絨のようで、水際のねこやなぎは柔らかな穂を揺らしていた。

The breezes blew and ruffled the smooth surface of the water into wavelets, and passing on touched the cheeks of the old couple who, for some reason they could not explain, felt very happy that morning.

そよ風が吹いてなめらかな水面をさざなみに乱し、吹き過ぎて老夫婦の頬に触れた。二人はなぜか分からないが、その朝はたいそう幸せな気分だった。

The old woman at last found a nice spot by the river bank and put her basket down. Then she set to work to wash the clothes; she took them one by one out of the basket and washed them in the river and rubbed them on the stones. The water was as clear as crystal, and she could see the tiny fish swimming to and fro, and the pebbles at the bottom.

婆さんはとうとう川岸によい場所を見つけて籠を下ろした。それから洗濯の仕事にかかった。籠から一枚ずつ着物を取り出し、川で洗って石の上でこすった。水は水晶のように澄んでいて、小さな魚が行き来するのも、底の小石も見えた。

As she was busy washing her clothes a great peach came bumping down the stream. The old woman looked up from her work and saw this large peach. She was sixty years of age, yet in all her life she had never seen such a big peach as this.

洗濯に励んでいると、大きな桃がひとつ、どんぶらこと流れてきた。婆さんは仕事から目を上げて、この大きな桃を見た。婆さんは六十の年だったが、生涯にこれほど大きな桃を見たことがなかった。

“How delicious that peach must be!” she said to herself. “I must certainly get it and take it home to my old man.”

「あの桃はさぞおいしかろう!」と婆さんは独りごちた。「きっと取って、うちの爺さんに持って帰らねば。」

She stretched out her arm to try and get it, but it was quite out of her reach. She looked about for a stick, but there was not one to be seen, and if she went to look for one she would lose the peach.

婆さんは腕を伸ばして取ろうとしたが、手の届くところではなかった。棒はないかとあたりを見回したが、一本も見あたらず、探しに行けば桃を逃してしまう。

Stopping a moment to think what she would do, she remembered an old charm-verse. Now she began to clap her hands to keep time to the rolling of the peach down stream, and while she clapped she sang this song:

どうしようかとひととき考えを止めたとき、婆さんは古いまじないの歌を思い出した。そこで桃が流れてくるのに合わせて手を打ちはじめ、打ちながらこの歌を歌った。

“Distant water is bitter, The near water is sweet; Pass by the distant water And come into the sweet.”

「遠い水は苦い、 近い水は甘い。 遠い水を通り過ぎて 甘いほうへおいで。」

Strange to say, as soon as she began to repeat this little song the peach began to come nearer and nearer the bank where the old woman was standing, till at last it stopped just in front of her so that she was able to take it up in her hands. The old woman was delighted. She could not go on with her work, so happy and excited was she, so she put all the clothes back in her bamboo basket, and with the basket on her back and the peach in her hand she hurried homewards.

不思議なことに、この短い歌を唱えはじめるやいなや、桃は婆さんの立っている岸のほうへだんだん近づいてきて、とうとうちょうど目の前で止まったので、両手で拾い上げることができた。婆さんは大喜びだった。うれしくて心が躍り、仕事を続けることもできなかったので、洗濯物をみな竹の籠に戻し、籠を背負い桃を手に、急いで家路をたどった。

It seemed a very long time to her to wait till her husband returned. The old man at last came back as the sun was setting, with a big bundle of grass on his back—so big that he was almost hidden and she could hardly see him. He seemed very tired and used the scythe for a walking stick, leaning on it as he walked along.

夫が帰るのを待つのが、婆さんにはたいそう長く思われた。とうとう日が沈むころ、爺さんが大きな草の束を背負って帰ってきた。あまりに大きくて、爺さんはほとんど隠れてしまい、姿がよく見えないほどだった。たいそう疲れた様子で、鎌を杖代わりにして、それにもたれながら歩いていた。

As soon as the old woman saw him she called out:

婆さんは爺さんを見るやいなや呼びかけた。

“O Fii San! (old man) I have been waiting for you to come home for such a long time to-day!”

「おお、おじいさん! きょうは帰ってくるのをずいぶん長いこと待っていましたよ!」

“What is the matter? Why are you so impatient?” asked the old man, wondering at her unusual eagerness. “Has anything happened while I have been away?”

「どうした。なぜそんなにせっかちなのだ」と爺さんは、婆さんのいつにないはやりようを不思議に思って尋ねた。「わしの留守に何かあったのか。」

“Oh, no!” answered the old woman, “nothing has happened, only I have found a nice present for you!”

「いいえ!」と婆さんは答えた。「何もありませんよ。ただ、おまえさんによい贈り物を見つけたのです!」

“That is good,” said the old man. He then washed his feet in a basin of water and stepped up to the veranda.

「それはよい」と爺さんは言った。それから盥の水で足を洗い、縁側に上がった。

The old woman now ran into the little room and brought out from the cupboard the big peach. It felt even heavier than before. She held it up to him, saying:

婆さんは小さな部屋へ駆け込み、戸棚から大きな桃を持ってきた。前よりも重く感じられた。婆さんはそれを掲げて言った。

“Just look at this! Did you ever see such a large peach in all your life?”

「これをごらんなさい! 生まれてこのかた、こんな大きな桃を見たことがありますか。」

When the old man looked at the peach he was greatly astonished and said:

爺さんは桃を見てたいそう驚き、言った。

“This is indeed the largest peach I have ever seen! Wherever did you buy it?”

「これはまことに、今まで見たうちでいちばん大きな桃だ! いったいどこで買ったのだ。」

“I did not buy it,” answered the old woman. “I found it in the river where I was washing.” And she told him the whole story.

「買ったのではありませんよ」と婆さんは答えた。「洗濯をしていた川で見つけたのです。」そして一部始終を話した。

“I am very glad that you have found it. Let us eat it now, for I am hungry,” said the O Fii San.

「それを見つけてくれてたいそううれしい。さあ、いま食べよう。腹がへった」と爺さんは言った。

He brought out the kitchen knife, and, placing the peach on a board, was about to cut it when, wonderful to tell, the peach split in two of itself and a clear voice said:

爺さんは台所の包丁を持ってきて、桃をまな板に載せ、切ろうとした。すると驚いたことに、桃はひとりでに二つに割れて、澄んだ声がこう言った。

“Wait a bit, old man!” and out stepped a beautiful little child.

「ちょっと待ってくれ、おじいさん!」そして美しい小さな子が出てきた。

The old man and his wife were both so astonished at what they saw that they fell to the ground. The child spoke again:

爺さんも婆さんも、目にしたものにあまりに驚いて、その場に座り込んでしまった。子はまた口を開いた。

“Don’t be afraid. I am no demon or fairy. I will tell you the truth. Heaven has had compassion on you. Every day and every night you have lamented that you had no child. Your cry has been heard and I am sent to be the son of your old age!”

「恐れないでください。わたしは鬼でも妖しの者でもありません。本当のことをお話しします。天があなたがたを憐れんでくださったのです。あなたがたは日ごと夜ごと、子がないことを嘆いておられた。その嘆きが聞き届けられて、わたしは老いの日の息子となるために遣わされたのです!」

On hearing this the old man and his wife were very happy. They had cried night and day for sorrow at having no child to help them in their lonely old age, and now that their prayer was answered they were so lost with joy that they did not know where to put their hands or their feet. First the old man took the child up in his arms, and then the old woman did the same; and they named him MOMOTARO, OR SON OF A PEACH, because he had come out of a peach.

これを聞いて爺さんと婆さんはたいそう喜んだ。寂しい老いを助けてくれる子がないことを嘆いて昼も夜も泣いていたのが、今その祈りが聞き届けられて、二人は喜びのあまり、手足の置きどころも分からぬほどだった。まず爺さんが子を抱き上げ、次に婆さんも同じようにした。そして二人はその子を桃太郎、すなわち桃の子と名づけた。桃から出てきたからである。

The years passed quickly by and the child grew to be fifteen years of age. He was taller and far stronger than any other boys of his own age, he had a handsome face and a heart full of courage, and he was very wise for his years. The old couple’s pleasure was very great when they looked at him, for he was just what they thought a hero ought to be like.

年は足早に過ぎ、子は十五の年になった。同じ年ごろのどの少年よりも背が高く、はるかに力が強く、顔だちは美しく、心は勇気に満ち、年に似合わずたいそう賢かった。老夫婦は子を見るたびに大きな喜びを覚えた。英雄とはこうあるべきだと二人が思うとおりの子だったからである。

One day Momotaro came to his foster-father and said solemnly:

ある日、桃太郎は育ての父のところへ来て、おごそかに言った。

“Father, by a strange chance we have become father and son. Your goodness to me has been higher than the mountain grasses which it was your daily work to cut, and deeper than the river where my mother washes the clothes. I do not know how to thank you enough.”

「父上、不思議な縁でわたしたちは親子となりました。あなたのご恩は、日ごとに刈っておられた山の草よりも高く、母上が洗濯をなさる川よりも深いものです。どうお礼を申し上げればよいか分かりません。」

“Why,” answered the old man, “it is a matter of course that a father should bring up his son. When you are older it will be your turn to take care of us, so after all there will be no profit or loss between us—all will be equal. Indeed, I am rather surprised that you should thank me in this way!” and the old man looked bothered.

「なに」と爺さんは答えた。「父が子を育てるのは当たり前のことだ。おまえが年を重ねれば、こんどはおまえがわしらの世話をする番だ。だから結局、わしらのあいだに得も損もない——みな釣り合いが取れるのだ。まったく、おまえがそんなふうに礼を言うのは、いささか驚きだよ!」と爺さんは困ったような顔をした。

“I hope you will be patient with me,” said Momotaro; “but before I begin to pay back your goodness to me I have a request to make which I hope you will grant me above everything else.”

「どうか辛抱してお聞きください」と桃太郎は言った。「けれどもご恩をお返しする前に、何をおいても聞き入れていただきたい願いがひとつあるのです。」

“I will let you do whatever you wish, for you are quite different to all other boys!”

「おまえの望むことは何でもさせてやろう。おまえはほかのどの子とも違うのだからな!」

“Then let me go away at once!”

「では、すぐに行かせてください!」

“What do you say? Do you wish to leave your old father and mother and go away from your old home?”

「何を言う。年老いた父と母を置いて、この古い家を出ていきたいというのか。」

“I will surely come back again, if you let me go now!”

「いま行かせてくださるなら、必ず帰ってまいります!」

“Where are you going?”

「どこへ行くのだ。」

“You must think it strange that I want to go away,” said Momotaro, “because I have not yet told you my reason. Far away from here to the northeast of Japan there is an island in the sea. This island is the stronghold of a band of devils. I have often heard how they invade this land, kill and rob the people, and carry off all they can find. They are not only very wicked but they are disloyal to our Emperor and disobey his laws. They are also cannibals, for they kill and eat some of the poor people who are so unfortunate as to fall into their hands. These devils are very hateful beings. I must go and conquer them and bring back all the plunder of which they have robbed this land. It is for this reason that I want to go away for a short time!”

「わたしが行きたがるのを不思議に思われるでしょう」と桃太郎は言った。「まだそのわけをお話ししていないからです。ここからはるか遠く、日本の北東の海に島があります。この島は鬼の一党の砦です。やつらがこの国を襲い、人を殺して奪い、見つけたものを何でも運び去ると、しばしば聞いております。やつらはたいそう邪であるばかりか、帝に背きその法に従いません。そのうえ人食いで、その手に落ちる不運な人々を殺して食うのです。この鬼どもはまことに憎むべき者たちです。わたしは行ってやつらを討ち、この国から奪った略奪品をみな取り返してこねばなりません。そのためにしばらく発ちたいのです!」

The old man was much surprised at hearing all this from a mere boy of fifteen. He thought it best to let the boy go. He was strong and fearless, and besides all this, the old man knew he was no common child, for he had been sent to them as a gift from Heaven, and he felt quite sure that the devils would be powerless to harm him.

爺さんは、まだ十五の少年からこんな話を聞いてたいそう驚いた。けれども行かせてやるのがいちばんよいと思った。子は強く恐れを知らず、そのうえ爺さんは、この子がただの子どもではなく、天からの賜物として与えられたのだと知っていたので、鬼どもにはこの子を害する力などあるまいと確信していた。

“All you say is very interesting, Momotaro,” said the old man. “I will not hinder you in your determination. You may go if you wish. Go to the island as soon as ever you like and destroy the demons and bring peace to the land.”

「おまえの言うことはたいそう興味深い、桃太郎」と爺さんは言った。「その決意を妨げはすまい。望むなら行くがよい。好きなだけ早く島へ行って、鬼どもを討ち、この国に平和をもたらしなさい。」

“Thank you, for all your kindness,” said Momotaro, who began to get ready to go that very day. He was full of courage and did not know what fear was.

「ご親切のすべてに感謝します」と桃太郎は言い、その日のうちに出発の支度を始めた。彼は勇気に満ちていて、恐れというものを知らなかった。

The old man and woman at once set to work to pound rice in the kitchen mortar to make cakes for Momotaro to take with him on his journey.

爺さんと婆さんはすぐに台所の臼で米を搗き、桃太郎が旅に持っていく餅を作る仕事にかかった。

At last the cakes were made and Momotaro was ready to start on his long journey.

とうとう餅ができあがり、桃太郎は長い旅に出る支度を整えた。

Parting is always sad. So it was now. The eyes of the two old people were filled with tears and their voices trembled as they said:

別れはいつも悲しいものである。このときもそうだった。二人の老人の目には涙があふれ、その声は震えていた。

“Go with all care and speed. We expect you back victorious!”

「くれぐれも気をつけて、早く行っておいで。勝って帰ってくるのを待っているよ!」

Momotaro was very sorry to leave his old parents (though he knew he was coming back as soon as he could), for he thought of how lonely they would be while he was away. But he said “Good-by!” quite bravely.

桃太郎は年老いた両親と別れるのがたいそう辛かった(できるかぎり早く帰ってくると分かってはいたが)。自分が留守のあいだ、二人がどれほど寂しいだろうと思ったからである。けれども「さようなら!」と、たいそう勇ましく言った。

“I am going now. Take good care of yourselves while I am away. Good-by!” And he stepped quickly out of the house. In silence the eyes of Momotaro and his parents met in farewell.

「では参ります。留守のあいだ、お体を大事にしてください。さようなら!」そう言って足早に家を出た。黙ったまま、桃太郎と両親の目は別れに出会った。

Momotaro now hurried on his way till it was midday. He began to feel hungry, so he opened his bag and took out one of the rice-cakes and sat down under a tree by the side of the road to eat it. While he was thus having his lunch a dog almost as large as a colt came running out from the high grass. He made straight for Momotaro, and showing his teeth, said in a fierce way:

桃太郎は真昼になるまで道を急いだ。腹がへってきたので、袋を開けて餅をひとつ取り出し、道ばたの木の下に座って食べた。そうして昼餉をとっていると、仔馬ほどもある大きな犬が丈高い草のなかから駆け出してきた。犬はまっすぐ桃太郎のところへ来て、歯をむき出して荒々しく言った。

“You are a rude man to pass my field without asking permission first. If you leave me all the cakes you have in your bag you may go; otherwise I will bite you till I kill you!”

「断りもなくおれの野を通るとは無礼な男だ。袋のなかの餅をみな置いていけば行かせてやる。さもなくば噛み殺してやるぞ!」

Momotaro only laughed scornfully:

桃太郎はあざけるように笑っただけだった。

“What is that you are saying? Do you know who I am? I am Momotaro, and I am on my way to subdue the devils in their island stronghold in the northeast of Japan. If you try to stop me on my way there I will cut you in two from the head downwards!”

「何を言っている。おれが誰か知っているのか。おれは桃太郎だ。日本の北東の島の砦にいる鬼どもを討ちに行く途中だ。行く手をふさごうとするなら、頭から真っ二つに斬ってやるぞ!」

The dog’s manner at once changed. His tail dropped between his legs, and coming near he bowed so low that his forehead touched the ground.

犬の態度はたちまち変わった。尾は足のあいだに垂れ、近寄ってきて、額が地につくほど深く頭を下げた。

“What do I hear? The name of Momotaro? Are you indeed Momotaro? I have often heard of your great strength. Not knowing who you were I have behaved in a very stupid way. Will you please pardon my rudeness? Are you indeed on your way to invade the Island of Devils? If you will take such a rude fellow with you as one of your followers, I shall be very grateful to you.”

「何と聞こえた。桃太郎さまの名を。まことに桃太郎さまでいらっしゃいますか。あなたさまの大力のことはしばしば聞いております。どなたか存じませんで、たいそう愚かなふるまいをいたしました。どうか無礼をお許しください。まことに鬼が島を攻めに行かれるのですか。もしこんな無礼者でもお供の一人に加えてくださるなら、たいそうありがたく存じます。」

“I think I can take you with me if you wish to go,” said Momotaro.

「行きたいのなら、連れていってやれると思う」と桃太郎は言った。

“Thank you!” said the dog. “By the way, I am very very hungry. Will you give me one of the cakes you are carrying?”

「ありがとうございます!」と犬は言った。「ところで、わたくしはたいそう腹がへっております。お持ちの餅をひとつくださいませんか。」

“This is the best kind of cake there is in Japan,” said Momotaro. “I cannot spare you a whole one; I will give you half of one.”

「これは日本でいちばんよい餅だ」と桃太郎は言った。「まるごとひとつはやれぬ。半分やろう。」

“Thank you very much,” said the dog, taking the piece thrown to him.

「まことにありがとうございます」と犬は言い、投げられた片割れを受け取った。

Then Momotaro got up and the dog followed. For a long time they walked over the hills and through the valleys. As they were going along an animal came down from a tree a little ahead of them. The creature soon came up to Momotaro and said:

それから桃太郎は立ち上がり、犬が従った。二人は長いあいだ丘を越え谷を抜けて歩いた。進んでいくと、少し先で一匹の獣が木から下りてきた。その生き物はまもなく桃太郎のところへ来て言った。

“Good morning, Momotaro! You are welcome in this part of the country. Will you allow me to go with you?”

「おはようございます、桃太郎さま! このあたりへようこそおいでくださいました。ご一緒させていただけませんか。」

The dog answered jealously:

犬は妬ましげに答えた。

“Momotaro already has a dog to accompany him. Of what use is a monkey like you in battle? We are on our way to fight the devils! Get away!”

「桃太郎さまにはもう供の犬がいる。おまえのような猿が、戦の何の役に立つ。おれたちは鬼を討ちに行くのだ! 去れ!」

The dog and the monkey began to quarrel and bite, for these two animals always hate each other.

犬と猿は言い争って噛みつきはじめた。この二匹はいつも憎み合っているからである。

“Now, don’t quarrel!” said Momotaro, putting himself between them. “Wait a moment, dog!”

「さあ、争うな!」と桃太郎は二匹のあいだに入って言った。「ちょっと待て、犬!」

“It is not at all dignified for you to have such a creature as that following you!” said the dog.

「あんな者を従えては、あなたさまの威に関わります!」と犬は言った。

“What do you know about it?” asked Momotaro; and pushing aside the dog, he spoke to the monkey:

「おまえに何が分かる」と桃太郎は言い、犬を押しのけて猿に話しかけた。

“Who are you?”

「おまえは何者だ。」

“I am a monkey living in these hills,” replied the monkey. “I heard of your expedition to the Island of Devils, and I have come to go with you. Nothing will please me more than to follow you!”

「わたくしはこの山に住む猿でございます」と猿は答えた。「鬼が島へお出かけになると聞いて、お供しようと参りました。お従いできること以上にうれしいことはございません!」

“Do you really wish to go to the Island of Devils and fight with me?”

「まことに鬼が島へ行って、わたしとともに戦いたいのか。」

“Yes, sir,” replied the monkey.

「はい、さようでございます」と猿は答えた。

“I admire your courage,” said Momotaro. “Here is a piece of one of my fine rice-cakes. Come along!”

「おまえの勇気は見上げたものだ」と桃太郎は言った。「これはわたしの上等な餅のひと切れだ。さあ、ついておいで!」

So the monkey joined Momotaro. The dog and the monkey did not get on well together. They were always snapping at each other as they went along, and always wanting to have a fight. This made Momotaro very cross, and at last he sent the dog on ahead with a flag and put the monkey behind with a sword, and he placed himself between them with a war-fan, which is made of iron.

こうして猿は桃太郎に加わった。犬と猿は仲がよくなかった。道中いつも噛みつき合っていて、しじゅう喧嘩をしたがった。これは桃太郎をたいそう苛立たせたので、とうとう犬に旗を持たせて先に行かせ、猿には刀を持たせてうしろに置き、自分は鉄でできた軍配を持って二匹のあいだに入った。

By and by they came to a large field. Here a bird flew down and alighted on the ground just in front of the little party. It was the most beautiful bird Momotaro had ever seen. On its body were five different robes of feathers and its head was covered with a scarlet cap.

やがて一行は大きな野に出た。ここで一羽の鳥が飛び降りてきて、小さな一行のちょうど前の地面に降り立った。それは桃太郎が今まで見たなかで最も美しい鳥だった。その体には五色の羽の衣をまとい、頭は緋色の冠に覆われていた。

The dog at once ran at the bird and tried to seize and kill it. But the bird struck out its spurs and flew at the dog’s tail, and the fight went hard with both.

犬はすぐさま鳥に駆け寄り、つかまえて殺そうとした。けれども鳥は蹴爪を突き出して犬の尾に飛びかかり、戦いは互いに激しいものになった。

Momotaro, as he looked on, could not help admiring the bird; it showed so much spirit in the fight. It would certainly make a good fighter.

それを見ていた桃太郎は、この鳥に感心せずにいられなかった。戦いぶりにたいそうな気概を見せていたからである。きっとよい戦い手になるだろう。

Momotaro went up to the two combatants, and holding the dog back, said to the bird:

桃太郎は戦う二匹に近づき、犬を押しとどめて鳥に言った。

“You rascal! you are hindering my journey. Surrender at once, and I will take you with me. If you don’t I will set this dog to bite your head off!”

「この無法者め! わたしの旅を妨げている。すぐに降参すれば連れていってやろう。そうしなければ、この犬をけしかけておまえの頭を噛みちぎらせるぞ!」

Then the bird surrendered at once, and begged to be taken into Momotaro’s company.

すると鳥はすぐに降参して、桃太郎の一行に加えてくださいと乞うた。

“I do not know what excuse to offer for quarreling with the dog, your servant, but I did not see you. I am a miserable bird called a pheasant. It is very generous of you to pardon my rudeness and to take me with you. Please allow me to follow you behind the dog and the monkey!”

「あなたさまのご家来である犬どのと争ったことに、どう言い訳をすればよいか分かりません。けれどもあなたさまのお姿が見えなかったのです。わたくしは雉という、みすぼらしい鳥でございます。無礼をお許しくださり、お連れくださるとは、たいそう寛大なことでございます。どうか犬どのと猿どののうしろにお従いさせてくださいませ!」

“I congratulate you on surrendering so soon,” said Momotaro, smiling. “Come and join us in our raid on the devils.”

「そんなに早く降参したのは見事だ」と桃太郎は微笑んで言った。「来て、われらの鬼退治に加わるがよい。」

“Are you going to take this bird with you also?” asked the dog, interrupting.

「この鳥も連れておいでになるのですか」と犬が口を挟んで尋ねた。

“Why do you ask such an unnecessary question? Didn’t you hear what I said? I take the bird with me because I wish to!”

「なぜそんな要らぬことを聞く。わたしの言ったことが聞こえなかったのか。連れていきたいから連れていくのだ!」

“Humph!” said the dog.

「ふん!」と犬は言った。

Then Momotaro stood and gave this order:

それから桃太郎は立って、こう言い渡した。

“Now all of you must listen to me. The first thing necessary in an army is harmony. It is a wise saying which says that ‘Advantage on earth is better than advantage in Heaven!’ Union amongst ourselves is better than any earthly gain. When we are not at peace amongst ourselves it is no easy thing to subdue an enemy. From now, you three, the dog, the monkey and the pheasant, must be friends with one mind. The one who first begins a quarrel will be discharged on the spot!”

「さあ、みなわたしの言うことを聞け。軍にまず必要なのは和だ。『天の利は地の利に如かず』という賢い言葉があるが、われらのあいだの和はどんな地上の利にもまさる。われらのあいだが平らかでなければ、敵を討つのはたやすいことではない。今から、おまえたち三匹、犬と猿と雉は、心をひとつにした友でなければならぬ。最初に争いを起こした者は、その場で暇を出す!」

All the three promised not to quarrel. The pheasant was now made a member of Momotaro’s suite, and received half a cake.

三匹はみな争わないと約束した。雉はこうして桃太郎の一行の一員となり、餅を半分もらった。

Momotaro’s influence was so great that the three became good friends, and hurried onwards with him as their leader.

桃太郎の徳はたいそう大きかったので、三匹はよい友となり、彼を頭として先を急いだ。

Hurrying on day after day they at last came out upon the shore of the North-Eastern Sea. There was nothing to be seen as far as the horizon—not a sign of any island. All that broke the stillness was the rolling of the waves upon the shore.

日ごとに急いで進み、一行はとうとう北東の海の岸に出た。水平線まで何も見えなかった——島のしるしひとつない。静けさを破るものは、岸に寄せる波のうねりだけであった。

Now, the dog and the monkey and the pheasant had come very bravely all the way through the long valleys and over the hills, but they had never seen the sea before, and for the first time since they set out they were bewildered and gazed at each other in silence. How were they to cross the water and get to the Island of Devils?

さて、犬も猿も雉も、長い谷を抜け丘を越えて、ここまでたいそう勇ましく来たのだが、海を見たことは一度もなかった。出発してから初めて三匹は途方に暮れ、黙って顔を見合わせた。どうやってこの水を渡り、鬼が島へ行けばよいのか。

Momotaro soon saw that they were daunted by the sight of the sea, and to try them he spoke loudly and roughly:

桃太郎は、三匹が海を見て怯んだのをすぐに見て取り、試そうと大きな荒い声で言った。

“Why do you hesitate? Are you afraid of the sea? Oh! what cowards you are! It is impossible to take such weak creatures as you with me to fight the demons. It will be far better for me to go alone. I discharge you all at once!”

「なぜためらう。海が怖いのか。ああ! なんという臆病者だ! おまえたちのような弱い者を連れて鬼と戦いに行くのは無理だ。わたし一人で行くほうがずっとよい。今すぐみな暇を出す!」

The three animals were taken aback at this sharp reproof, and clung to Momotaro’s sleeve, begging him not to send them away.

三匹の獣はこの厳しい叱責に驚き、桃太郎の袖にすがりついて、追い払わないでくださいと乞うた。

“Please, Momotaro!” said the dog.

「お願いです、桃太郎さま!」と犬は言った。

“We have come thus far!” said the monkey.

「ここまで来たのです!」と猿は言った。

“It is inhuman to leave us here!” said the pheasant.

「ここに置いていかれるなんて、あんまりです!」と雉は言った。

“We are not at all afraid of the sea,” said the monkey again.

「海など少しも怖くありません」と猿はまた言った。

“Please do take us with you,” said the pheasant.

「どうかお連れください」と雉は言った。

“Do please,” said the dog.

「どうかお願いします」と犬は言った。

They had now gained a little courage, so Momotaro said:

三匹は少し勇気を取り戻したので、桃太郎は言った。

“Well, then, I will take you with me, but be careful!”

「よし、それなら連れていこう。だが気をつけるのだぞ!」

Momotaro now got a small ship, and they all got on board. The wind and weather were fair, and the ship went like an arrow over the sea. It was the first time they had ever been on the water, and so at first the dog, the monkey and the pheasant were frightened at the waves and the rolling of the vessel, but by degrees they grew accustomed to the water and were quite happy again. Every day they paced the deck of their little ship, eagerly looking out for the demons’ island.

桃太郎は小さな船を手に入れ、一同は乗り込んだ。風も天気もよく、船は矢のように海を進んだ。三匹が水の上に出たのは初めてだったので、はじめ犬も猿も雉も波と船の揺れに怯えたが、次第に水に慣れて、またすっかり機嫌よくなった。毎日、三匹は小さな船の甲板を歩き回り、鬼の島はまだかと熱心に見張った。

When they grew tired of this, they told each other stories of all their exploits of which they were proud, and then played games together; and Momotaro found much to amuse him in listening to the three animals and watching their antics, and in this way he forgot that the way was long and that he was tired of the voyage and of doing nothing. He longed to be at work killing the monsters who had done so much harm in his country.

それに飽きると、三匹は互いに自慢の手柄話を語り合い、それから一緒に遊んだ。桃太郎は三匹の話を聞き、そのおどけたふるまいを眺めることで大いに慰められ、こうして道のりが長いことも、航海と何もしないことに飽きていることも忘れた。彼は、自分の国にこれほどの害をなした怪物どもを討つ仕事にかかりたくてたまらなかった。

As the wind blew in their favor and they met no storms the ship made a quick voyage, and one day when the sun was shining brightly a sight of land rewarded the four watchers at the bow.

風は追い風で嵐にも遭わず、船は速い航海をした。そしてある日、日が明るく照るなか、舳先で見張る四人の目に陸の姿が報いとして現れた。

Momotaro knew at once that what they saw was the devils’ stronghold. On the top of the precipitous shore, looking out to sea, was a large castle. Now that his enterprise was close at hand, he was deep in thought with his head leaning on his hands, wondering how he should begin the attack. His three followers watched him, waiting for orders. At last he called to the pheasant:

桃太郎はたちまち、目にしたものが鬼の砦だと知った。海を見下ろす切り立った岸の頂に、大きな城があった。いよいよ事を起こす間際となって、彼は頭を両手にもたせかけて深く考え込み、どう攻めを始めようかと思案した。三匹の従者は命を待って見守っていた。とうとう桃太郎は雉を呼んだ。

“It is a great advantage for us to have you with us.” said Momotaro to the bird, “for you have good wings. Fly at once to the castle and engage the demons to fight. We will follow you.”

「おまえがいてくれるのは、われらにとって大きな強みだ」と桃太郎は鳥に言った。「おまえにはよい翼があるからな。すぐに城へ飛んでいって、鬼どもに戦いを挑め。われらはあとに続く。」

The pheasant at once obeyed. He flew off from the ship beating the air gladly with his wings. The bird soon reached the island and took up his position on the roof in the middle of the castle, calling out loudly:

雉はただちに従った。喜んで翼で空を打ちながら、船から飛び立った。鳥はまもなく島に着き、城のまんなかの屋根に陣取って、大声で呼ばわった。

“All you devils listen to me! The great Japanese general Momotaro has come to fight you and to take your stronghold from you. If you wish to save your lives surrender at once, and in token of your submission you must break off the horns that grow on your forehead. If you do not surrender at once, but make up your mind to fight, we, the pheasant, the dog and the monkey, will kill you all by biting and tearing you to death!”

「鬼ども、みなわれの言うことを聞け! 日本の大将軍桃太郎さまが、おまえたちと戦い、その砦を奪いに来られたぞ。命を助かりたければ、ただちに降参せよ。そして降参のしるしに、額に生えた角を折るのだ。ただちに降参せず、戦う気でいるなら、われら、雉と犬と猿が、おまえたちを噛み裂いて残らず殺してくれよう!」

The horned demons looking up and only seeing a pheasant, laughed and said:

角のある鬼どもは見上げて、ただの雉が一羽いるだけなのを見て笑い、こう言った。

“A wild pheasant, indeed! It is ridiculous to hear such words from a mean thing like you. Wait till you get a blow from one of our iron bars!”

「なんだ、野の雉ではないか! おまえのような卑しい者からそんな言葉を聞くとは笑止千万。おれたちの鉄棒の一撃を食らうまで待つがいい!」

Very angry, indeed, were the devils. They shook their horns and their shocks of red hair fiercely, and rushed to put on tiger skin trousers to make themselves look more terrible. They then brought out great iron bars and ran to where the pheasant perched over their heads, and tried to knock him down. The pheasant flew to one side to escape the blow, and then attacked the head of first one and then another demon. He flew round and round them, beating the air with his wings so fiercely and ceaselessly, that the devils began to wonder whether they had to fight one or many more birds.

鬼どもはまことにたいそう怒った。角を振り立て、赤い蓬髪を激しく揺すり、いっそう恐ろしく見せようと虎の皮の袴をはきに走った。それから大きな鉄棒を持ち出して、頭上にとまる雉のところへ駆け寄り、叩き落とそうとした。雉は一撃を避けて脇へ飛び、それから一匹また一匹と鬼の頭を襲った。まわりをぐるぐると飛び、翼であまりに激しく絶え間なく空を打ったので、鬼どもは相手が一羽なのか、もっと多くの鳥なのか分からなくなってきた。

In the meantime, Momotaro had brought his ship to land. As they had approached, he saw that the shore was like a precipice, and that the large castle was surrounded by high walls and large iron gates and was strongly fortified.

そのあいだに桃太郎は船を陸に着けていた。近づくにつれて、岸が断崖のようであること、大きな城が高い壁と大きな鉄の門に囲まれ、堅く守られていることを見て取った。

Momotaro landed, and with the hope of finding some way of entrance, walked up the path towards the top, followed by the monkey and the dog. They soon came upon two beautiful damsels washing clothes in a stream. Momotaro saw that the clothes were blood-stained, and that as the two maidens washed, the tears were falling fast down their cheeks. He stopped and spoke to them:

桃太郎は上陸し、どこか入口が見つかればと望みながら、猿と犬を従えて頂のほうへ道を登っていった。まもなく一行は、流れで洗濯をしている二人の美しい乙女に出くわした。桃太郎は、その着物が血に染まっていること、二人の乙女が洗いながら、頬に涙をはらはらと落としていることに気づいた。彼は足を止めて声をかけた。

“Who are you, and why do you weep?”

「あなたがたは誰で、なぜ泣いているのか。」

“We are captives of the Demon King. We were carried away from our homes to this island, and though we are the daughters of Daimios (Lords), we are obliged to be his servants, and one day he will kill us”—and the maidens held up the blood-stained clothes—“and eat us, and there is no one to help us!”

「わたしたちは鬼の王の捕虜です。家からこの島へ連れ去られて、大名の娘でありながら、鬼の召使いをさせられています。そしていつかあの者はわたしたちを殺し」——と乙女たちは血に染まった着物を掲げた——「食べてしまうでしょう。助けてくれる人は誰もいないのです!」

And their tears burst out afresh at this horrible thought.

そしてこの恐ろしい思いに、二人の涙はふたたびあふれ出した。

“I will rescue you,” said Momotaro. “Do not weep any more, only show me how I may get into the castle.”

「わたしが助けてやろう」と桃太郎は言った。「もう泣くな。ただ、どうすれば城に入れるかを教えてくれ。」

Then the two ladies led the way and showed Momotaro a little back door in the lowest part of the castle wall—so small that Momotaro could hardly crawl in.

そこで二人の女は先に立って、城壁のいちばん下のところにある小さな裏戸を桃太郎に示した。あまりに小さくて、桃太郎はやっと這って入れるほどだった。

The pheasant, who was all this time fighting hard, saw Momotaro and his little band rush in at the back.

このあいだじゅう激しく戦っていた雉は、桃太郎と小さな一隊が裏から駆け込むのを見た。

Momotaro’s onslaught was so furious that the devils could not stand against him. At first their foe had been a single bird, the pheasant, but now that Momotaro and the dog and the monkey had arrived they were bewildered, for the four enemies fought like a hundred, so strong were they. Some of the devils fell off the parapet of the castle and were dashed to pieces on the rocks beneath; others fell into the sea and were drowned; many were beaten to death by the three animals.

桃太郎の攻めはあまりに激しく、鬼どもは持ちこたえられなかった。はじめ敵はただ一羽の鳥、雉だけだったが、いまや桃太郎と犬と猿が着いたので、鬼どもは当惑した。四人の敵は百人のように戦った。それほど強かったのである。鬼のうちある者は城の胸壁から落ちて、下の岩に砕け散り、ある者は海に落ちて溺れ、多くは三匹の獣に打ち殺された。

The chief of the devils at last was the only one left. He made up his mind to surrender, for he knew that his enemy was stronger than mortal man.

とうとう鬼の頭目だけが残った。頭目は降参しようと心を決めた。この敵が人間の力を超えていることを知ったからである。

He came up humbly to Momotaro and threw down his iron bar, and kneeling down at the victor’s feet he broke off the horns on his head in token of submission, for they were the sign of his strength and power.

頭目はへりくだって桃太郎の前に来て鉄棒を投げ捨て、勝者の足もとにひざまずいて、降参のしるしに頭の角を折った。角はその力と権勢のしるしだったからである。

“I am afraid of you,” he said meekly. “I cannot stand against you. I will give you all the treasure hidden in this castle if you will spare my life!”

「あなたが恐ろしい」と頭目はおとなしく言った。「あなたには抗しきれぬ。命を助けてくださるなら、この城に隠した宝をすべて差し上げよう!」

Momotaro laughed.

桃太郎は笑った。

“It is not like you, big devil, to beg for mercy, is it? I cannot spare your wicked life, however much you beg, for you have killed and tortured many people and robbed our country for many years.”

「大鬼のおまえが慈悲を乞うとは、らしくないではないか。どれほど乞うても、おまえの邪な命は助けられぬ。おまえは多くの人を殺し、苦しめ、長年にわたってわれらの国を荒らしてきたのだからな。」

Then Momotaro tied the devil chief up and gave him into the monkey’s charge. Having done this, he went into all the rooms of the castle and set the prisoners free and gathered together all the treasure he found.

それから桃太郎は鬼の頭目を縛り上げ、猿に預けた。それが済むと、城の部屋という部屋へ入って捕虜を解き放ち、見つけた宝をみな集めた。

The dog and the pheasant carried home the plunder, and thus Momotaro returned triumphantly to his home, taking with him the devil chief as a captive.

犬と雉が奪われた品を家へ運び、こうして桃太郎は鬼の頭目を捕虜として連れ、意気揚々と家へ帰った。

The two poor damsels, daughters of Daimios, and others whom the wicked demon had carried off to be his slaves, were taken safely to their own homes and delivered to their parents.

大名の娘である二人の哀れな乙女も、邪な鬼が奴隷にしようと連れ去ったほかの人々も、無事にそれぞれの家へ送り届けられ、親のもとへ返された。

The whole country made a hero of Momotaro on his triumphant return, and rejoiced that the country was now freed from the robber devils who had been a terror of the land for a long time.

国じゅうが、勝って帰った桃太郎を英雄とたたえ、長らくこの地の恐怖であった盗賊の鬼どもから国がついに解き放たれたことを喜んだ。

The old couple’s joy was greater than ever, and the treasure Momotaro had brought home with him enabled them to live in peace and plenty to the end of their days.

老夫婦の喜びはこれまでになく大きく、桃太郎が持ち帰った宝のおかげで、二人は生涯の終わりまで安らかに豊かに暮らすことができたのである。