ＷＥＢ絵本『梟染め屋』

Long long ago, an Owl was a dye worker.
He dyed various wears at the request of many birds.
This was his business.
むかしむかし、フクロウは染物屋で、多くの鳥に頼まれて、色々の衣装を染めてやるのが商売であったそうです．

In those days, a Raven was always careful about his appearance.
And the Raven always flew around in white wear.
その頃、カラスは大変なおしゃれで、いつも真白い着物を着て飛び歩いていました．

The Raven went to the Owl's dye works.
"Please dye my wear with a unique color," the Raven said.
そのカラスがフクロウの染め屋へ来て、どうか私の衣装を又とないような色に染めてくれと注文しました．

At his request, the Owl dyed the wear pitch-black.
"This is the uniquest color in the world," the Owl said.
The Raven got very angry but he was unable to do anything for it.
フクロウは、その注文を引き受けて、真黒々の炭のような色に染め、これが世界に又とない色だと言いました． カラスは非常に腹を立てましたけれども、もうどうすることも出来ませんでした．

But the Raven still holds the grudge and bullies the Owl angrily.
それでも、その怨みを忘れないで、フクロウの顔さえ見れば怒っていじめます．

So, the Owl hides in the heart of a woods and never come out while the Raven awakes.
If the Owl is found by the Raven, the Owl has to have hard time. (Rikuchu Province Iwate County)
それ故に、フクロウは今でも森の奥に隠れて、カラスの起きている間は決して外へ出て来ぬばかりでなく、たまにいる所をカラスに見つかると、ひどい目に遭うのであります． （陸中岩手郡）

――　あとがき　――
昔話絵本『梟染め屋』
絵・訳：茜町春彦 原作：柳田国男

A Picture Book : "An Owl's Dye Works"
Illustrated and translated by : Akanemachi Haruhiko
Original author : Yanagida Kunio