信：漁民邀請麥帥捕魚

 信：漁民邀請麥帥捕魚

邀请函 1948 年 7 月 28 日

尊敬的道格拉斯-麦克阿瑟将军

正值仲夏酷暑，我谨向您致以最良好的祝愿，祝您身体健康，精力充沛，充满智慧，为世界和平奠定基础。

请原谅我突然递交此信的无礼。

我是一名普通的渔民，住在入間川河畔。

我每天都到河里捕捉香鱼和鳗鱼，以此为生。

我相信，像我们这样的战败国，只有在同盟国的理解和您的慷慨慎重的指导下，才能过上和平的生活。

我发自内心地感谢你们以卓越的理想和才干实现了日本的复兴和民主化，为日本和日本人实现了我们即使经过多年激烈斗争也无法实现的目标。

我们实在是太贫穷、太卑微了，无法报答你们的无上努力和成就，但在我力所能及的范围内，我曾深思熟虑过以何种方式来表达我对你们不懈努力的感激之情。

自古以来，这条河里的鲶鱼都是用一种特殊的方法捕获的，活蹦乱跳的，在美丽的风景中当场为我们的客人上菜。

按照传统，人们还会将鲶鱼作为礼物带回家。

幸运的是，现在正是鲶鱼肥美可口的季节。

我恳请您在八月初的某一天赏光，让我享受一天纯粹的娱乐活动，我将有机会向您表达我诚挚的谢意。

如果好天气持续下去，一定能捕到香鱼。

现在，那些自然游到上游的鲶鱼和当地渔业合作社孵化和放养的鲶鱼正在河里活蹦乱跳。

我等着您的通知，您可以在百忙之中抽出时间，带着和蔼可亲的妻子和儿子一起来。

地点是琦玉县入间郡羽野町地崎。

一旦收到您的回信，我将与您的办公室协商制定更明确的计划。

这次邀请和计划都是我自己做的，与其他人无关。

因此，您无需担心地方官员的参与问题。

我也将拒绝任何形式的报酬。

我匆忙发出这封非正式邀请函，并等待您的回复。

如果您能理解我的诚意并制定相应的计划，我将不胜感激。

加藤一干

柏原村

琦玉县入间郡

INVITATION July 28, 1948

The Honorable General Douglas MacArthur: 

At a time of midsummer heat, I humbly offer my best wishes for your continued health and for the vigor and intelligence with which you are building the basis for world peace.

Please pardon my rudeness for suddenly submitting this letter.

 I am a simple fisherman living along the Iruma River.

 I make my living by going to the river every day to catch ayu [sweetfish] and eels.

 I believe that a defeated nation like ours is only able to live in peace because of the understanding of the Allied nations and your generosity and discreet guidance.

 From the bottom of my heart I express my gratitude for the outstanding ideals and skill with which you are carrying out the restoration and democratization of Japan, and for accomplishing for Japan and the Japanese what we could not bring about even through long years of intense struggle.

 We are simply too poor and meek to repay you for your supreme efforts and accomplishments, but within my capabilities, I have thought deeply about a way to express my gratitude for your unceasing efforts.

Since ancient times, the ayu in this river have been caught in a special way, prepared alive, and served to our guests on the spot amid the beautiful scenery.

 Traditionally, the ayu are also brought home as presents.

 Fortunately, this is the time of the year that ayu are fat and delicious.

 I beg of you to oblige me with your presence for a day of pure entertainment some day in early August, and I will have the opportunity to express my humble gratitude.

 If the good weather persists, ayu are bound to be caught.

 Right now, those ayu that swam upstream naturally and those that were hatched and stocked by the local fishing cooperative are lively and dancing in the river.

I will be waiting your notification of a convenient date and time when you may be able to take some time off from your busy schedule and come along with your gracious wife and son.

 The place will be Jisaki, Hanno-cho, Irumagun, Saitama Prefecture.

As soon as I hear from you, I would like to make more definite plans in consultation with your office.

This invitation and plan are my own doing;

 no one else is involved.

 Therefore, there is no need for you to worry about the participation of local officials.

 I also will refuse any type of payment.

I hasten to send this unofficial letter of invitation and I await your response.

 I will be most obliged if you will appreciate my sincerity and make plans accordingly.

Kato Ikkan

Kashiwabara-mura

Iruma-gun, Saitama Prefecture