An afternoon in Ueno Park (Part 6)

Tadashi Ishida

This is the sixth in a series of articles in which Tadashi Ishida, an English teacher at a community center in Taito Ward in Tokyo, describes a language-learning activity that he conducted with his class. After considerable research and preparation, the learners toured Ueno Park with a foreign visitor, Mrs. Fitzwater, explaining to her the highlights of the park and answering her questions. After the tour, the learners wrote their own combination text and guidebook based on this experience.

There are a number of historical relics in Ueno Park, many of which are designated as Important Historical Cultural Assets. Some of the relics, however, show the foolishness of human beings rather than their greatness. Older learners are sensitive to the difference between the two because of their abundant life experience.

上野公園には二種類の遺跡があります。重要文化財に指定されるようなものと、人の愚かなふるまいを表すようなものとです。中高年者は豊かな人生経験でどれがそれかを言うことができます。

One of the learners, Mrs. Eguchi, showed Mrs. Fitzwater around the Toshogu Shrine.

Eguchi: This shrine is a branch of the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko where we have beautiful fall colors. This is the stone gate of the Toshogu Shrine. It is said to protect the shrine.
Fitzwater: When was it constructed?
Eguchi: The gate was built in 1633. It is designated as an Important Cultural Asset.

江口さんはフィッツウォーターさんを東照宮に案内しました。

江：この神社は紅葉が美しい日光の東照宮の分院です。これは東照宮の鳥居です。神社を守るものと言われています。
フ：いつ建てられたのですか？
江：鳥居は1633年に建てられました。重要文化財に指定されています。

Mrs. Eguchi showed Mrs. Fitzwater some stone lanterns.

Eguchi: This shrine is famous for its many stone and bronze lanterns. They line the approach to the shrine.
Fitzwater: Approximately how many lanterns are there?
Eguchi: There are 195 lanterns made of stone and 50 lanterns made of　bronze. They were the gifts from the feudal leaders to the first Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was a brilliant military leader and statesman of the 17th century.

江口さんはフィッツウォーターさんを石灯籠の所に案内しました。

江：この神社はたくさんの石灯籠と青銅の灯篭で有名です。灯篭は参道の両側にあります。
フ：灯篭は約いくつあるのですか？
江：石灯篭が195で、青銅の灯篭が50あります。灯篭は大名が初代将軍の徳川家康に贈ったものです。徳川家康は17世紀の優秀な将軍で政治家でした。

Fitzwater: This is a very big lantern, isn't it? Please tell me about it.
Eguchi: This is a giant lantern. It was a contribution from Sakuma Katsuyuki in 1631. Its nickname is Obake Doro or Monster Lantern.
Fitzwater: It seems fairly tall. Approximately how high does it stand ?
Eguchi: It is about 22 feet high and is one of the three biggest lanterns in the whole of Japan.

フ：これは非常に大きな灯篭ですね。説明してください。
江：これは巨大な灯篭です。1631年に佐久間勝行から贈られたものです。あだなはお化け灯籠といいます。
フ：かなりの高さですね。どのくらい高いのですか？
江：約22フィートで、日本の三大灯篭の一つです。

Fitzwater: Do you know why it is so much larger than the other lanterns?
Eguchi: Yes, I do. This lantern is so large because Sakuma Katsuyuki wanted to show that he was a more faithful follower than any of the other feudal leaders.

フ：他の灯篭と比べて、なぜそんなに大きいのか知ってますか？
江：ええ。佐久間勝行が他のどの大名よりも忠義な家来であることを示したかったからです。