僕が英語話者に説明するときは、まずその視覚イメージを共有します。暖簾は向こう側にいる人を遮る柔らかい布で、腕を押し込んでも相手は動かず、結果として努力がほとんど意味をなさない状況が想像できます。そこから意訳として「a futile effort」や「an effort that produces no result」という説明に繋げます。
具体的な日本語の用例を見せると理解が早いです。例えば「彼に頼んでも暖簾に腕押しだ」は「Asking him is a futile effort; he won't respond」と訳せます。こうした順で視覚→意味→英語訳を提示すると、ニュアンスが伝わりやすいと感じます。
The tale of 'Inaba's White Hare' is a fascinating story from Japanese mythology featured in the 'Kojiki'. A white hare tricks sharks into forming a bridge so it can cross from an island to the mainland. After succeeding, the hare mocks the sharks, revealing its deception. As punishment, the hare is skinned by the angry creatures.
Later, the hare meets the god Ōkuninushi and his many brothers. While the brothers ignore the hare's suffering, Ōkuninushi helps by instructing it to bathe in freshwater and cover itself with cattail pollen. This act of kindness heals the hare, who then prophesies Ōkuninushi's future success. The story beautifully contrasts cruelty and compassion, showing how kindness brings divine favor.