The Dead Return

旁白 neutral

A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan.

日本每年举行一次亡灵节。

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This festival is a cheerful occasion,

这个节日是个欢乐的时刻，

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for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living.

因为据说在这一天，逝者会回到他们的家园，受到生者的欢迎。

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As they are expected to be hungry after their long journey, food is laid out for them.

由于他们长途跋涉后会感到饥饿，人们会为他们摆放食物。

旁白 neutral

Specially-made lanterns are hung outside each house to help the dead to find their way.

每家每户外面都挂着特制的灯笼，帮助逝者找到回家的路。

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All night long, people dance and sing.

人们通宵达旦地载歌载舞。

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In the early morning the food that had been laid out for the dead

清晨，为逝者摆放的食物

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is thrown into a river or into the sea as it is considered unlucky for anyone living to eat it.

被扔进河里或海里，因为活人吃了被认为是不吉利的。

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In towns that are near the sea, the tiny lanterns which had been hung in the streets the night before,

在沿海城镇，头天晚上挂在街上的小灯笼，

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are placed into the water when the festival is over.

节日结束后会被放入水中。

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Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to sea guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world.

数千盏灯笼缓缓地漂向大海，指引逝者返回另一个世界。

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This is a moving spectacle, for crowds of people

这是一幅感人的景象，因为成群的人们

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stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more.

站在岸边，看着灯笼渐渐远去，直到它们完全消失不见。