在日本，每年举行一次亡灵节。
A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan.
这个节日是个欢乐的场合，因为在这一天，据说死者会回到他们的家中，他们受到生者的欢迎。
This festival is a cheerful occasion, for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living.
由于人们预料亡灵在长途跋涉后会感到饥饿，便为他们摆上食物。
As they are expected to be hungry after their long journey, food is laid out for them.
人们在每家屋外悬挂特制的灯笼，帮助亡灵找到回家的路。
Specially-made lanterns are hung outside each house to help the dead to find their way.
整整一夜，人们载歌载舞。
All night long, people dance and sing.
清晨，那些为亡灵摆放的食物被扔进河里或海里，因为人们认为活人吃了不吉利。
In the early morning the food that had been laid out for the dead is thrown into a river or into the sea as it is considered unlucky for anyone living to eat it.
在靠近大海的城镇，那些前一晚挂在街道上的小灯笼，在节日结束时被放入水中。
In towns that are near the sea, the tiny lanterns which had been hung in the streets the night before, are placed into the water when the festival is over.
成千上万盏灯笼缓缓漂向大海，引领着亡灵踏上前往另一个世界的归途。
Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to sea guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world.
这是一幅动人的景象，因为大群人站在岸边，凝望着灯笼渐渐远去，直到再也看不见为止。
This is a moving spectacle, for crowds of people stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more.