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A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan.
日本每年过一次亡灵节
This festival is a cheerful occasion,
这个节日是个欢乐的日子
for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes
因为在这一天 据说死去的人要回到他们的家里来
and they are welcomed by the living.
活着的人则对他们表示欢迎
As they are expected to be hungry after their long journey,
因为预料到他们在经过长途旅行之后 会感到饥饿
food is laid out for them.
所以为他们摆放好了食品
Specially-made lanterns are hung outside each house
特制的灯笼挂在各家的门外
to help the dead to find their way.
为的是帮助亡灵看清道路
All night long, people dance and sing.
整个夜晚人们载歌载舞
In the early morning, the food that had been laid out for the dead
一大早 人们便把为死者摆放的食品
is thrown into a river or into the sea
扔进河中或海里
as it is considered unlucky for anyone living to eat it.
因为人们认为活着的人吃了这些东西是不吉利的
In towns that are near the sea,
在靠海的城镇中
the tiny lanterns which had been hung in the streets the night before,
头天夜里 挂在大街小巷的小灯笼
are placed into the water when the festival is over.
在节后就放在了水里
Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to sea
成千上万只灯笼慢慢漂向大海
guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world.
指引着亡灵返回另一个世界
This is a moving spectacle, for crowds of people stand on the shore
这是一个感人的场面 人们成群地伫立在海岸上
watching the lanterns drifting away
注视着灯笼远去
until they can be seen no more.
直到再也看不见为止
