お萬と牛と川の火

Oman, cow, and river fire

Oman, cow, and river fire
岩手県の奥州市では、毎年秋になると「お萬の火」という行事を行います

Every autumn, Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture holds an event called ”Oman no Fire”.

Every autumn, Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture holds an event called ”Oman no Fire”.
大根を持った人たちが、暗い道を歩きます

People with radish walking on dark roads

People with radish walking on dark roads
大根の中には火が入っています

The radish is cooked

The radish is cooked
お萬は、昔このあたりに住んでいた女性です

Oman is a woman who used to live here.

Oman is a woman who used to live here.
お萬は牛と一緒に、荷物を運ぶ仕事をしていました

Oman worked with the cows to carry luggage.

Oman worked with the cows to carry luggage.
ある年、雨が降らなくて、食べ物がなくなりました

One year it didn’t rain and there was no food

One year it didn’t rain and there was no food
お萬はおなかがすいて、畑の大根を食べました

Oman was hungry and ate radish from the field.

Oman was hungry and ate radish from the field.
村の人は、お萬が大根を盗んだと思って、川に沈めてしまいました

The villagers thought Oman had stole the radish and sank them into the river.

The villagers thought Oman had stole the radish and sank them into the river.
村の人たちは、今でもお萬のことを忘れないように、この行事を続けています

The villagers continue to hold this event to ensure that they don’t forget about Oman.

The villagers continue to hold this event to ensure that they don’t forget about Oman.