双语新闻：在老龄化的日本，动物代替儿童接受祝福

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

在日本，为孩子们举行的传统仪式也越来越受到动物们的欢迎。

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.

最近，Natsuki Aoki带着她的两只吉娃娃狗从日本西部城市广岛飞往日本首都东京。她此行是为了让小狗们在神道教圣地扎玛神社得到特别的祝福。

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.

青木指出，很少有宗教中心对动物开放。“我想看到更多这样的地方会很棒，”这位33岁的老人周二说。

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.

扎玛神社的历史可以追溯到6世纪。它位于东京西南约25公里处。该宗教中心于2012年为动物建立了一个祈祷区。现在，这里会举办Shichi-Go-San仪式，让动物主人为他们的狗和猫的健康和幸福祈祷。

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.

这个仪式在日语中的意思是七五三，传统上是在11月中旬为达到这个年龄的孩子庆祝的。父母给孩子们穿上和服，带他们去神道教圣地参加仪式。

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.

周二，一些人牵着他们的宠物走上狗猫神社的台阶。他们祈祷并得到了神道教牧师的祝福。6只身穿和服的柴犬在活动现场排队拍照。

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

日本的出生率在2022年连续第七年下降，降至历史最低水平，而死亡率则升至历史最高水平。

"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.

“儿童的数量每年都在减少，因此，越来越多的人把爱倾注到他们的狗和猫身上，”座间神社的平永吉典说。

"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.

平贺说:“我们想在Zama神社为宠物主人提供一个地方，当他们的狗和猫长到3岁、5岁和7岁时，他们可以感谢上帝。”据神职人员估计，这个季节将有大约120只宠物被带到神社。

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

Masayo Tashiro就是其中之一，她带着两只狗，一只小猎犬和一只博美犬来到中心，献上祭品和祈祷。

"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."

“他们对我来说非常重要，就像我自己的孩子一样，”这位53岁的护工说。“我来这里是为了祈祷他们能和我们一起安全健康地生活。”