御船川の大ウナギ

The Giant Eel of the Ofunegawa River

The Giant Eel of the Ofunegawa River
鹿児島県の甑島には、昔から伝わる話があります

In Koshikijima, Kagoshima Prefecture, there is an ancient story that has been passed down.

In Koshikijima, Kagoshima Prefecture, there is an ancient story that has been passed down.
島の川に大きな池がありました

There was a large pond on the river on the island.

There was a large pond on the river on the island.
池には、たくさんの人を食べた大きなウナギが住んでいました

In the pond lived a huge eel that ate many people.

In the pond lived a huge eel that ate many people.
ウナギを退治しようとした人はみんな、池で死んでしまいました

Everyone who tried to exterminate the eel died in the pond.

Everyone who tried to exterminate the eel died in the pond.
あるとき、神社の神主が池に入りました

One day, the priest of the shrine, went into the pond.

One day, the priest of the shrine, went into the pond.
見ていた人たちが心配していると、神主はウナギを捕まえて池から出ました

While the people watching were worried, the priest, caught the eel and came out of the pond.

While the people watching were worried, the priest, caught the eel and came out of the pond.
神主は、島の殿様から船をもらいました

The priest received a boat from the lord of the island.

The priest received a boat from the lord of the island.
神主は、その船を池の中に置いて、ただ眺めていました

The priest, placed the boat in the pond and simply looked at it.

The priest, placed the boat in the pond and simply looked at it.
大きなウナギのために、池に船を置いたのかもしれません

Perhaps he placed the boat there for the sake of the great eel.

Perhaps he placed the boat there for the sake of the great eel.
島の人たちは、池の近くの川を「御船川」と呼ぶようになりました