Animals Receive Blessings in Place of Children in Aging Japan

Animals Receive Blessings in Place of Children in Aging Japan

在日本老龄化的社会中，动物接受祝福取代了孩子

【原文听力】

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　　A traditional ceremony for children in Japan is growing popular for animals there as well.

　　Natsuki Aoki recently flew with her two Chihuahua dogs from the western city of Hiroshima to Tokyo, the nation's capital. She took the trip so the little dogs could receive a special blessing at the Zama Shrine, a Shinto holy place.

　　Aoki noted that few religious centers are open to animals. "I think it would be great to see more places like this," the 33-year-old said on Tuesday.

　　The Zama Shrine dates back to the 6th century. It is about 25 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The religious center established a prayer area for animals in 2012. It now hosts Shichi-Go-San ceremonies where animal owners can pray for the health and happiness of their dogs and cats.

　　The ceremony, which means Seven-Five-Three in Japanese, is traditionally celebrated in mid-November for children reaching those ages. Parents dress their girls and boys in kimonos and bring them to a Shinto holy place for the ceremony.

　　On Tuesday, several people led their animals up the steps of the Inuneko Jinja, or Dog-Cat Shrine. They prayed and received a blessing from a Shinto clergy. Six Shiba Inu dogs wearing kimonos lined up for pictures at the event.

　　Japan's birth rate dropped for a seventh straight year in 2022 to a record low, while deaths increased to an all-time high.

　　"The number of children is decreasing each year, and as a result, more and more people are pouring their love into their dogs and cats," said Yoshinori Hiraga of the Zama Shrine.

　　"We want to offer the pet owners a place at Zama Shrine for them to thank the gods when their dogs and cats reach the ages of three, five, and seven," said Hiraga. The clergy estimated about 120 pets would be brought to the shrine this season.

　　Among them was Masayo Tashiro, who brought two dogs, a terrier and a Pomeranian to the center as she made offerings and prayers.

　　"They are very important to me, like my own children," said the 53-year-old caregiver. "I came here to pray that they will have a safe and healthy life with us together."

　　I'm Caty Weaver.

　　Irene Wang reported this story for Reuters. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English.

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　　作者：海多

　　2023年11月14日

　　在日本，一种传统的儿童仪式也越来越受到动物的欢迎。

　　最近，青木夏树带着她的两只吉娃娃犬从西部城市广岛飞往日本首都东京。她做这次旅行是为了让这两只小狗在座间神社（一个神道教圣地）接受特殊的祝福。

　　青木指出，很少有宗教中心对动物开放。"我认为如果有更多这样的地方就太好了，"这位33岁的女士在周二说。

　　座间神社可以追溯到6世纪，位于东京西南约25公里处。这个宗教中心在2012年为动物设立了一个祈祷区。现在，它举办七五三仪式，动物主人可以在这里为他们的狗和猫祈求健康和幸福。

　　这个仪式在日语中意为“七五三”，通常在11月中旬为达到这些年龄的儿童庆祝。父母会给他们的男孩和女孩穿上和服，带他们去神道教的圣地进行仪式。

　　周二，有几个人带着他们的动物走上了犬猫神社的台阶。他们祈祷并从神道教神职人员那里得到祝福。六只穿着和服的柴犬在活动中排队拍照。

　　2022年，日本的出生率连续第七年下降，创下历史新低，同时死亡人数增加到历史最高。

　　座间神社的平良吉纪说：“每年的孩子数量都在减少，结果，越来越多的人将他们的爱倾注到他们的狗和猫上。”

　　他说：“我们希望在座间神社为宠物主人提供一个地方，当他们的狗和猫达到三岁、五岁和七岁时，他们可以在这里感谢神明。”神职人员估计这个季节会有大约120只宠物被带到神社。

　　其中包括田代正代，她带着两只狗，一只梗犬和一只博美犬，来到中心进行供奉和祈祷。

　　这位53岁的护理员说：“它们对我来说非常重要，就像我自己的孩子一样。我来这里祈祷他们能和我们一起过上安全健康的生活。”

　　我是凯蒂·韦弗。

　　这个故事是王艾琳为路透社报道的。海多为英语学习改编了这个故事。

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　　这个故事中的词汇

　　blessing - n.短暂的祈祷。

　　kimono - n. 在日本传统的正式场合穿的宽袖服装。

　　pet - n. 主要为了乐趣而饲养的动物，如狗或猫。