January 30, 2024

A Sumo Wrestler's Lesson: The Transformative Power of Tea Ceremony

12 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A Sumo Wrestler's Lesson: The Transformative Power of Tea Ceremony
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.org/a-sumo-wrestlers-lesson-the-transformative-power-of-tea-ceremony

Story Transcript:

Ja: 東京、都会の喧噪から一歩離れた静かな場所にある、小さな日本庭園と茶室。初夏にあたる日差しが緑の葉を通して地面に落ち、一面に美しい影を作り出していました。それは何ともいえなぬ穏やかな時間、茶道の世界。
En: In a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, there was a small Japanese garden and tea room. The early summer sun filtered through the green leaves, casting beautiful shadows on the ground. It was a serene moment, the world of tea ceremony.

Ja: しかし、その一角にあった一面の穏やかさはヒロシの出現によって一変します。
En: However, the tranquility in one corner of the garden was disrupted by the appearance of Hiroshi.

Ja: 見た目は私たちの想像をはるかに超えるほど大きいヒロシ。6足のサンダルがキツく、和服は体にピッタリ。そのうえ、何とも似合わない角力師のような頭巾をかぶった彼が、この神聖な茶室に足を踏み入れました。
En: Hiroshi was much larger than anyone could imagine. His six sandals were tight, and his kimono fit snugly around his body. On top of that, he wore a hood that looked more suited for a sumo wrestler. And yet, he stepped foot into this sacred tea room.

Ja: メイは茶室入口で一瞬凍りつきました。力士そのもののヒロシを額に汗を浮かべながら見つめ、これから始まる茶道の進行への心配と、笑いをこらえる葛藤に苦しんでいました。その一方で、ヒロシは無自覚に茶室へと進み、素晴らしい宝石のように繊細な茶碗の一部に腕を少し突っ込み、まさかの結果を招きました。
En: May froze for a moment at the entrance of the tea room. She looked at Hiroshi, who resembled a sumo wrestler, with sweat on her forehead, struggling with worry about the progress of the tea ceremony and suppressing her laughter. Meanwhile, Hiroshi unconsciously continued to the tea room, stuck his arm into a delicate tea bowl like a precious gem, and brought about an unexpected result.

Ja: ちゅう、という音と同時に、部屋中に散乱する繊細な茶碗の破片。ヒロシもメイも動きを止め、一瞬、時間が止まったかのような無音の空間が広がりました。
En: With a "chuu" sound, delicate fragments of the tea bowl scattered throughout the room. Hiroshi and May both stopped moving, and for a moment, there was a silent space as if time stood still.

Ja: ヒロシは、自分の影響に気付いた瞬間、驚きで目を見開き、真っ赤になりました。メイは床に広がる破片を見つめながら、彼を安心させようと微笑んでみせました。
En: As Hiroshi realized the impact he had caused, his eyes widened in surprise and his face turned bright red. May, while looking at the fragments on the floor, smiled to reassure him.

Ja: 「大丈夫、ヒロシ。片付けは私がやるから、君は帰って安らかに体を休めて。」と言いながら、彼女は彼の手を優しく握りました。
En: "Don't worry, Hiroshi. I will take care of the cleanup. You go home and rest peacefully," she said, gently holding his hand.

Ja: その日、ヒロシは一つの大切な教訓を学びました。そう、何事も適切な服装と態度が大切だということ。そしてメイは、ヒロシの大きな体と心に触れることで、人間の柔軟性と成長の可能性を再確認しました。
En: That day, Hiroshi learned an important lesson. That is, appropriate attire and attitude are important in everything we do. And May, through her interaction with Hiroshi's large body and heart, reaffirmed the flexibility and potential for growth in human beings.

Ja: それからというもの、ヒロシは適切な服装で茶道に参加し、メイはさらに大きな包容力を持つ一人の女性となったのです。
En: From that day on, Hiroshi participated in tea ceremonies dressed appropriately, and May became a woman with even greater compassion.

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