The Ogre of Rashomon

Long, long ago in Kyoto, the people of the city were terrified by accounts of a dreadful ogre, who, it was said, haunted the Gate of Rashomon at twilight and seized whoever passed by. The missing victims were never seen again, so it was whispered that the ogre was a horrible cannibal, who not only killed the unhappy victims but ate them also. Now everybody in the town and neighborhood was in great fear, and no one durst venture out after sunset near the Gate of Rashomon.

很久很久以前，在京都，城里的百姓被一个可怕妖怪的传闻吓得胆战心惊。据说这妖怪每到黄昏时分就会出没在罗生门附近，抓住每一个路过的人。那些失踪的人再也没有出现过，于是人们私下传言，这妖怪是个可怕的食人怪，不但杀害那些不幸的受害者，还把他们吃掉。这下子，全城和四邻八乡的人都陷入了极大的恐惧，日落之后，没有人敢靠近罗生门一步。

Now at this time there lived in Kyoto a general named Raiko, who had made himself famous for his brave deeds. Some time before this he made the country ring with his name, for he had attacked Oeyama, where a band of ogres lived with their chief, who instead of wine drank the blood of human beings. He had routed them all and cut off the head of the chief monster.

这时候，京都住着一位名叫赖光的将军，他以英勇的事迹闻名遐迩。在此之前不久，他的名字曾轰动全国，因为他攻打过大枝山，那里住着一群妖怪，还有它们的头领，那头领不喝酒，只喝人血。他把那群妖怪杀得片甲不留，还砍下了那头领妖怪的脑袋。

This brave warrior was always followed by a band of faithful knights. In this band there were five knights of great valor. One evening as the five knights sat at a feast quaffing SAKE in their rice bowls and eating all kinds of fish, raw, and stewed, and broiled, and toasting each other’s healths and exploits, the first knight, Hojo, said to the others:

这位英勇的武士身边总跟着一队忠心耿耿的骑士。这队人当中，有五位骁勇非凡的骑士。一天傍晚，五位骑士围坐在一起设宴，用饭碗盛着清酒对饮，吃着各种鱼——生的、炖的、烤的都有，彼此举杯祝对方健康、称颂彼此的战功。这时，第一位骑士北条对其余几人说道：

“Have you all heard the rumor that every evening after sunset there comes an ogre to the Gate of Rashomon, and that he seizes all who pass by?”

“你们都听说了吗？据说每天日落之后，就有一个妖怪出现在罗生门，抓住所有路过的人？”

The second knight, Watanabe, answered him, saying:

第二位骑士渡边回答他说：

“Do not talk such nonsense! All the ogres were killed by our chief Raiko at Oeyama! It cannot be true, because even if any ogres did escape from that great killing they would not dare to show themselves in this city, for they know that our brave master would at once attack them if he knew that any of them were still alive!”

“别说这种胡话了！所有的妖怪都被咱们的主公赖光在大枝山杀光了！这不可能是真的，就算真有妖怪从那场大屠杀里逃出来，它们也不敢在这座城里露面，因为它们知道，我们勇猛的主公一旦知道还有妖怪活着，一定会立刻去讨伐它们！”

“Then do you disbelieve what I say, and think that I am telling you a falsehood?”

“这么说，你不相信我说的话，认为我在撒谎？”

“No, I do not think that you are telling a lie,” said Watanabe; “but you have heard some old woman’s story which is not worth believing.”

“不，我不认为你在说谎，”渡边说道，“不过你听的，不过是哪个老妇人讲的故事，不值得相信。”

“Then the best plan is to prove what I say, by going there yourself and finding out yourself whether it is true or not,” said Hojo.

“那最好的办法，就是亲自去那儿一趟，自己弄清楚这话是真是假，”北条说道。

Watanabe, the second knight, could not bear the thought that his companion should believe he was afraid, so he answered quickly:

第二位骑士渡边受不了同伴认为自己胆怯的念头，于是立刻答道：

“Of course, I will go at once and find out for myself!”

“那是自然，我这就去亲自查个明白！”

So Watanabe at once got ready to go—he buckled on his long sword and put on a coat of armor, and tied on his large helmet. When he was ready to start he said to the others:

于是渡边立刻整装待发——他系上长剑，穿上铠甲，戴好那顶大头盔。准备妥当之后，他对其余人说道：

“Give me something so that I can prove I have been there!”

“给我点东西，好证明我确实去过那儿！”

Then one of the men got a roll of writing paper and his box of Indian ink and brushes, and the four comrades wrote their names on a piece of paper.

于是有人取来一卷纸和一盒墨与笔，四位同伴便在纸上写下了各自的名字。

“I will take this,” said Watanabe, “and put it on the Gate of Rashomon, so to-morrow morning will you all go and look at it? I may be able to catch an ogre or two by then!” and he mounted his horse and rode off gallantly.

“我带上这个，”渡边说道，“贴在罗生门上，明天早晨你们都去看看，怎么样？说不定到那时候，我已经抓到一两个妖怪了！”说罢他翻身上马，威风凛凛地驰去。

It was a very dark night, and there was neither moon nor star to light Watanabe on his way. To make the darkness worse a storm came on, the rain fell heavily and the wind howled like wolves in the mountains.

那是个漆黑的夜晚，天上既没有月亮，也没有星星为渡边照路。更糟的是，风暴骤起，大雨倾盆而下，狂风像山中的群狼一般呼啸。

Any ordinary man would have trembled at the thought of going out of doors, but Watanabe was a brave warrior and dauntless, and his honor and word were at stake, so he sped on into the night, while his companions listened to the sound of his horse’s hoofs dying away in the distance, then shut the sliding shutters close and gathered round the charcoal fire and wondered what would happen—and whether their comrade would encounter one of those horrible Oni.

寻常人若想到要在这样的夜里出门，恐怕早已吓得发抖，可渡边是个英勇无畏的武士，况且自己的荣誉和誓言都系于此事，于是他打马冲进夜色之中。同伴们听着他的马蹄声渐渐消失在远方，便关紧了推拉窗板，围坐在炭火旁，猜想着接下来会发生什么事——不知这位同伴是否会撞见那种可怕的鬼怪。

At last Watanabe reached the Gate of Rashomon, but peer as he might through the darkness he could see no sign of an ogre.

渡边终于到了罗生门，可任凭他如何在黑暗中细看，都没见到妖怪的半点踪影。

“It is just as I thought,” said Watanabe to himself; “there are certainly no ogres here; it is only an old woman’s story. I will stick this paper on the gate so that the others can see I have been here when they come to-morrow, and then I will take my way home and laugh at them all.”

“果然不出我所料，”渡边自言自语道，“这里根本没有什么妖怪，不过是老妇人的一派胡言罢了。我把这张纸贴在门上，好让其余几位明天来的时候看到我确实来过，然后我就打道回府，好好笑话他们一番。”

He fastened the piece of paper, signed by all his four companions, on the gate, and then turned his horse’s head towards home.

他把那张由四位同伴联名签字的纸贴在门上，然后调转马头，朝家的方向走去。

As he did so he became aware that some one was behind him, and at the same time a voice called out to him to wait. Then his helmet was seized from the back. “Who are you?” said Watanabe fearlessly. He then put out his hand and groped around to find out who or what it was that held him by the helmet. As he did so he touched something that felt like an arm—it was covered with hair and as big round as the trunk of a tree!

正当此时，他察觉身后有人跟着，同时一个声音喊他停下。紧接着他的头盔从后面被人一把抓住。“你是谁？”渡边毫不畏惧地喝问道。他随即伸出手，四下摸索，想弄清楚是什么人、或者什么东西抓着他的头盔。这一摸，他触到了一样东西，感觉像是一条胳膊——上面长满了毛，粗得像树干一样！

Watanabe knew at once that this was the arm of an ogre, so he drew his sword and cut at it fiercely.

渡边立刻明白，这是一条妖怪的胳膊，于是他抽出佩剑，狠狠地朝那胳膊砍去。

There was a loud yell of pain, and then the ogre dashed in front of the warrior.

只听一声凄厉的惨叫，那妖怪随即冲到武士面前。

Watanabe’s eyes grew large with wonder, for he saw that the ogre was taller than the great gate, his eyes were flashing like mirrors in the sunlight, and his huge mouth was wide open, and as the monster breathed, flames of fire shot out of his mouth.

渡边的双眼因惊讶而睁得老大，只见那妖怪比那座大门还要高，一双眼睛像日光下的镜子一样闪着光，一张血盆大口张得老大，那怪物一呼吸，竟从口中喷出团团火焰。

The ogre thought to terrify his foe, but Watanabe never flinched. He attacked the ogre with all his strength, and thus they fought face to face for a long time. At last the ogre, finding that he could neither frighten nor beat Watanabe and that he might himself be beaten, took to flight. But Watanabe, determined not to let the monster escape, put spurs to his horse and gave chase.

那妖怪本想吓退对手，可渡边毫不退缩。他使出浑身力气向妖怪攻去，两人就这样面对面搏斗了许久。最后妖怪发现，自己既吓不倒渡边，也打不过他，反倒可能被打败，便转身逃走。可渡边下定决心不让这怪物逃脱，猛加马刺，紧追不舍。

But though the knight rode very fast the ogre ran faster, and to his disappointment he found himself unable to overtake the monster, who was gradually lost to sight.

尽管这位骑士纵马疾驰，那妖怪却跑得更快，令他大为懊恼的是，他始终追赶不上那怪物，只见它的身影渐渐消失不见。

Watanabe returned to the gate where the fierce fight had taken place, and got down from his horse. As he did so he stumbled upon something lying on the ground.

渡边回到那场激战发生的大门处，翻身下马。这一下马，他被地上的什么东西绊了一下。

Stooping to pick it up he found that it was one of the ogre’s huge arms which he must have slashed off in the fight. His joy was great at having secured such a prize, for this was the best of all proofs of his adventure with the ogre. So he took it up carefully and carried it home as a trophy of his victory.

他弯腰捡起一看，原来是妖怪的一条巨臂，想必是他在搏斗中砍下来的。他大喜过望，能得到这样一件战利品，因为这正是他与妖怪搏斗一事的最佳证明。于是他小心翼翼地拾起它，把它当作胜利的战利品带回了家。

When he got back, he showed the arm to his comrades, who one and all called him the hero of their band and gave him a great feast. His wonderful deed was soon noised abroad in Kyoto, and people from far and near came to see the ogre’s arm.

他一到家，就把那条胳膊拿给同伴们看，众人异口同声地称他为一众之中的英雄，还为他大摆宴席庆贺。他这番了不起的壮举很快就传遍了京都，远近的人都跑来看那条妖怪的胳膊。

Watanabe now began to grow uneasy as to how he should keep the arm in safety, for he knew that the ogre to whom it belonged was still alive. He felt sure that one day or other, as soon as the ogre got over his scare, he would come to try to get his arm back again. Watanabe therefore had a box made of the strongest wood and banded with iron. In this he placed the arm, and then he sealed down the heavy lid, refusing to open it for anyone. He kept the box in his own room and took charge of it himself, never allowing it out of his sight.

渡边如今开始忧心该如何妥善保管这条胳膊，因为他知道那胳膊的主人还活着。他确信总有一天，一旦那妖怪从惊吓中缓过神来，必定会来设法夺回自己的胳膊。于是渡边找人打了一只用最坚硬的木料做成、外面还包着铁皮的箱子。他把胳膊放进箱内，封上沉重的箱盖，谁来求也不肯打开。他把箱子留在自己房里，亲自看管，从不让它离开自己的视线。

Now one night he heard some one knocking at the porch, asking for admittance.

一天夜里，他听见有人在门廊上敲门，请求进屋。

When the servant went to the door to see who it was, there was only an old woman, very respectable in appearance. On being asked who she was and what was her business, the old woman replied with a smile that she had been nurse to the master of the house when he was a little baby. If the lord of the house were at home she begged to be allowed to see him.

仆人去开门查看是谁，只见门口站着一位老妇人，模样十分体面。仆人问她是谁、有何要事，老妇人笑着回答说，她是这家主人还是婴儿时的乳母。她恳求道，若府上主人在家，请让她见上一面。

The servant left the old woman at the door and went to tell his master that his old nurse had come to see him. Watanabe thought it strange that she should come at that time of night, but at the thought of his old nurse, who had been like a foster-mother to him and whom he had not seen for a long time, a very tender feeling sprang up for her in his heart. He ordered the servant to show her in.

仆人留老妇人在门口等候，自己进去禀报主人，说他的老乳母来看他了。渡边心想，这么晚了她怎会来访，觉得有些奇怪，可一想到这位曾如同养母一般待他、又许久未见的老乳母，心里便涌起一股温情。他吩咐仆人将她请进来。

The old woman was ushered into the room, and after the customary bows and greetings were over, she said:

老妇人被引进房中，行过一番寻常的礼节和寒暄之后，她说道：

“Master, the report of your brave fight with the ogre at the Gate of Rashomon is so widely known that even your poor old nurse has heard of it. Is it really true, what every one says, that you cut off one of the ogre’s arms? If you did, your deed is highly to be praised!”

“老爷，您在罗生门与妖怪英勇搏斗的事迹，早已传得沸沸扬扬，连我这个老朽的乳母也听说了。人人都说您砍下了妖怪的一条胳膊，这可当真？若真是如此，您这番壮举真该受人称颂啊！”

“I was very disappointed,” said Watanabe, “that I was not able take the monster captive, which was what I wished to do, instead of only cutting off an arm!”

“我心里其实很失望，”渡边说道，“我本想把那怪物活捉，可惜没能做到，只砍下了它一条胳膊！”

“I am very proud to think,” answered the old woman, “that my master was so brave as to dare to cut off an ogre’s arm. There is nothing that can be compared to your courage. Before I die it is the great wish of my life to see this arm,” she added pleadingly.

“我一想到我家老爷竟有胆量砍下妖怪的一条胳膊，就打心底里骄傲，”老妇人答道。“再没有什么能与您的勇气相比了。在我死之前，能亲眼见一见这条胳膊，是我此生最大的心愿，”她恳求似的补充道。

“No,” said Watanabe, “I am sorry, but I cannot grant your request.”

“不行，”渡边说道，“很抱歉，这个请求我不能答应。”

“But why?” asked the old woman.

“这是为何？”老妇人问道。

“Because,” replied Watanabe, “ogres are very revengeful creatures, and if I open the box there is no telling but that the ogre may suddenly appear and carry off his arm. I have had a box made on purpose with a very strong lid, and in this box I keep the ogre’s arm secure; and I never show it to any one, whatever happens.”

“因为，”渡边答道，“妖怪都是极为记仇的东西，倘若我打开箱子，说不定那妖怪会突然出现，把它的胳膊夺走。我特地找人打了一只箱盖极为牢固的箱子，就把妖怪的胳膊安放在这箱子里；不论发生什么事，我都从不给任何人看。”

“Your precaution is very reasonable,” said the old woman. “But I am your old nurse, so surely you will not refuse to show ME the arm. I have only just heard of your brave act, and not being able to wait till the morning I came at once to ask you to show it to me.”

“您这份谨慎，实在合情合理，”老妇人说道。“可我是您的老乳母啊，您总不至于连我也不肯给看吧。我刚听说您这英勇的事迹，等不到天亮，便立刻赶来求您让我看一看。”

Watanabe was very troubled at the old woman’s pleading, but he still persisted in refusing. Then the old woman said:

渡边被老妇人的恳求弄得十分为难，可他仍旧坚持拒绝。于是老妇人说道：

“Do you suspect me of being a spy sent by the ogre?”

“您莫非怀疑我是妖怪派来的奸细？”

“No, of course I do not suspect you of being the ogre’s spy, for you are my old nurse,” answered Watanabe.

“不，我当然不会怀疑您是妖怪的奸细，您是我的老乳母啊，”渡边答道。

“Then you cannot surely refuse to show me the arm any longer.” entreated the old woman; “for it is the great wish of my heart to see for once in my life the arm of an ogre!”

“那您总不能再拒绝给我看那条胳膊了吧。”老妇人恳求道，“因为此生能亲眼见一见妖怪的胳膊，正是我心中最大的愿望！”

Watanabe could not hold out in his refusal any longer, so he gave in at last, saying:

渡边再也无法坚持拒绝下去，终于让了步，说道：

“Then I will show you the ogre’s arm, since you so earnestly wish to see it. Come, follow me!” and he led the way to his own room, the old woman following.

“既然您这般诚心想看，那我就给您看看那妖怪的胳膊吧。来，跟我来！”说罢便领着路走向自己的房间，老妇人跟在后面。

When they were both in the room Watanabe shut the door carefully, and then going towards a big box which stood in a corner of the room, he took off the heavy lid. He then called to the old woman to come near and look in, for he never took the arm out of the box.

两人都进了房间之后，渡边小心地关上房门，然后走向房间角落里立着的一只大箱子，掀开了那沉重的箱盖。他随即唤老妇人上前来看，因为他从不把那条胳膊从箱子里取出来。

“What is it like? Let me have a good look at it,” said the old nurse, with a joyful face.

“那是什么模样？让我好好看一看，”老乳母说道，脸上满是喜色。

She came nearer and nearer, as if she were afraid, till she stood right against the box. Suddenly she plunged her hand into the box and seized the arm, crying with a fearful voice which made the room shake:

她一步一步靠近，仿佛心怀畏惧一般，直到站到箱子跟前。忽然，她一把将手伸进箱里，抓住那条胳膊，用一种可怕的声音喊叫起来，震得满屋子都在颤动：

“Oh, joy! I have got my arm back again!”

“哦，太好了！我的胳膊又回到我手里了！”

And from an old woman she was suddenly transformed into the towering figure of the frightful ogre!

话音未落，她那老妇人的模样忽然一变，化作了那可怕妖怪高耸巍峨的身形！

Watanabe sprang back and was unable to move for a moment, so great was his astonishment; but recognizing the ogre who had attacked him at the Gate of Rashomon, he determined with his usual courage to put an end to him this time. He seized his sword, drew it out of its sheath in a flash, and tried to cut the ogre down.

渡边猛地向后一跃，一时间惊愕得动弹不得；可他一认出这正是当初在罗生门袭击他的那个妖怪，便凭着一贯的勇气，下定决心这回要将它彻底解决。他抓起佩剑，眨眼间便出鞘，朝妖怪砍去。

So quick was Watanabe that the creature had a narrow escape. But the ogre sprang up to the ceiling, and bursting through the roof, disappeared in the mist and clouds.

渡边出手快得很，那怪物险些没能逃脱。可那妖怪猛地一跃冲到房顶，破顶而出，消失在云雾之中。

In this way the ogre escaped with his arm. The knight gnashed his teeth with disappointment, but that was all he could do. He waited in patience for another opportunity to dispatch the ogre. But the latter was afraid of Watanabe’s great strength and daring, and never troubled Kyoto again. So once more the people of the city were able to go out without fear even at night time, and the brave deeds of Watanabe have never been forgotten!

就这样，妖怪带着自己的胳膊逃走了。这位骑士懊恼得咬牙切齿，可也无可奈何。他只得耐心等待下一次机会，好将妖怪彻底除掉。可那妖怪畏惧渡边的过人本领和胆量，从此再也没有骚扰京都。于是城中的百姓又能重新安然无恙地出门，哪怕是在夜里也不再害怕，而渡边的英勇事迹，也从此被人们永远铭记！