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Kenji Miyazawa (August 27, 1896 - September 21, 1933) is known as a Japanese poet, children's story writer, Buddhist, and agricultural scientist. His works explore the mysteries of nature, humans, and the universe, and have a unique worldview. He was born in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.
As an aside, Shohei Ohtani, who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Yusei Kikuchi, who plays for the Houston Astros, are graduates of Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki City.
Returning to the topic of Kenji Miyazawa, his works frequently depict the beautiful landscapes and rural life of Iwate. Kenji's father was a businessman and a politician in the region, so he was born into a relatively wealthy family, but he was sickly, and because of this, he had a deep interest in nature, literature, and religion from an early age. His view of life was strongly influenced by Buddhism, especially the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, and this influence is strongly reflected in his literary works and poetry.
Kenji Miyazawa also worked as an agricultural engineer and aspired to contribute to society through agriculture. He studied soil science and agricultural chemistry at Morioka Agricultural and Forestry High School (now the Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University), and after graduation he worked as a teacher at Iwate Prefectural Hanamaki Agricultural School. It was around this time that he deepened his Buddhist faith and became vegetarian.
He aimed to balance farming with poetry, and worked hard to spread the latest agricultural techniques to rural people. In particular, the poem "Amenimo makezu" symbolizes his dedication to agriculture and his way of life, aiming for harmony with nature.
Miyazawa's works reflect the Buddhist doctrines he believed in, especially the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. His works often deal with themes such as "harmony of the world" and "the connection of all life", and are written in mystical and poetic words. Although his life was short, his works were highly praised after his death and are still loved by many people today.
Representative works
"Night on the Galactic Railroad"
This is Miyazawa Kenji's masterpiece and one of his most famous fairy tales. The story is about a boy named Giovanni who boards a fantastical train called the "Galaxy Railroad" and travels through the starry sky. Through various encounters and experiences while traveling the galaxy with his friend Campanella, the story makes us think about the meaning of life, self-sacrifice, and love. It was published unfinished after his death, but its mystical and philosophical content has deeply moved many readers.
"Wind Matasaburo"
This work is a mysterious story centered on Matasaburo, a boy who can control the wind. When Matasaburo appears in a mountain village, various strange events occur to the children of the village. The themes are the relationship between nature and humans, and the fear and curiosity of the difference. This work also strongly reflects Miyazawa's view of nature and mystical ideas.
"The Restaurant of Many Orders"
This short fairy tale tells the story of two hunters who get lost in a Western-style mansion deep in the mountains and become involved in mysterious events. In the mansion, which has a sign saying "The Restaurant of Many Orders," the hunters receive mysterious instructions one after another, but the terrifying truth is revealed that they themselves are actually being prepared as food. It is an allegorical work that questions human arrogance and our relationship with nature, with surreal and humorous elements.
"Spring and Ashura"
This is a collection of poems by Miyazawa Kenji, and it holds a particularly important place in his poetry. This collection is filled with his deep sensitivity to nature and cosmic perspective, and depicts his Buddhist state of enlightenment and insight into the eternity of life. The form and diction of the poems are very unique, leaving a deep impression on the reader.
"Undeterred by the Rain"
This poem, discovered after his death, is a work that symbolizes Miyazawa Kenji's view of life. "Undeterred by the Rain" depicts an ideal human being who has the strength to live with nature, devoting himself to others, and not lose himself even in harsh natural conditions. This poem is characterized by its simple and powerful expression, and is very famous both in Japan and abroad. It condenses Miyazawa's mental strength, humility, and compassion for others.
"The Influence and Legacy of Miyazawa Kenji"
Miyazawa Kenji's works became widely acclaimed after his death and had a huge impact on Japanese literature. His poems and fairy tales deal with universal themes such as harmony with nature, the mystery of life, and self-sacrifice, and continue to inspire many people across the ages. In particular, his Buddhist worldview and deep understanding of nature are still perceived as important messages today. His works are loved not only by the Japanese literary community, but also by readers around the world.
This book contains three children's stories, "The Nighthawk Star," "The Restaurant of Many Orders," and "Gauche the Cellist," as well as three poems, "Unyielding in the Rain," "The Morning of Eternal Farewell," and "Song of the Starry Night." Miyazawa Kenji's poems use his unique Buddhist vocabulary and local Iwate dialect, making them difficult to translate directly, so the translations have been made to help readers understand the content. The original Japanese text has also been included, so Japanese language learners can take on the challenge.
Translated and edited by Sabashi Ryota
One that won't give in to the rain.
One that won't give in to the wind.
One that won't give in to the snow or summer heat.
I want to have a strong body like that.
No desire.
No anger.
Always smiling quietly.
I eat four cups of brown rice,
and miso paste, a few vegetables a day.
In all things,
do not think of your own gain or loss.
See and hear well, understand well,
and never forget.
I'll live in a little thatched hut in the shade of the pine woods in the fields,
and if there's a sick child in the east,
I'll go and nurse him.
If there is a tired mother in the west,
I will go and carry her sheaves of rice on my back.
If there is a dying person in the south,
I will go to him and tell him not to be afraid and to rest in peace.
If there are people fighting or arguing in the north,
I tell them to stop because it's pointless.
In drought I shed tears, in cold summer I walk in a daze.
Even if people call me useless.
I want to be the kind of person,
who is neither praise nor criticized,
Namu Muhengyō Bosatsu
Namu Jogyo Bosatsu
Namu Taho Nyorai
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
Namu Shakyamuni Buddha
Namu Jōgyo Bosatsu
Namu Anryūgyo Bosatsu
雨ニモマケズ
雨ニモマケズ
風ニモマケズ
雪ニモ夏ノ暑サニモマケヌ
丈夫ナカラダヲモチ
慾ハナク
決シテ瞋ラズ
イツモシヅカニワラッテヰル
一日ニ玄米四合ト
味噌ト少シノ野菜ヲタベ
アラユルコトヲ
ジブンヲカンジョウニ入レズニ
ヨクミキキシワカリ
ソシテワスレズ
野原ノ松ノ林ノ陰ノ
小サナ萓ブキノ小屋ニヰテ
東ニ病気ノコドモアレバ
行ッテ看病シテヤリ
西ニツカレタ母アレバ
行ッテソノ稲ノ束ヲ負ヒ
南ニ死ニサウナ人アレバ
行ッテコハガラナクテモイヽトイヒ
北ニケンクヮヤソショウガアレバ
ツマラナイカラヤメロトイヒ
ヒドリノトキハナミダヲナガシ
サムサノナツハオロオロアルキ
ミンナニデクノボートヨバレ
ホメラレモセズ
クニモサレズ
サウイフモノニ
ワタシハナリタイ
南無無辺行菩薩
南無上行菩薩
南無多宝如来
南無妙法蓮華経
南無釈迦牟尼仏
南無浄行菩薩
南無安立行菩薩
My little sister,
you will be gone by the end of the day.
It's sleet outside and strangely bright.
(Please bring me some sleet.)
Sleet falls without ceasing from the strangely bright and gloomy clouds.
(Please bring me some sleet.)
Two ceramic bowls with worn, chipped rims and these patterns of water shield .
I'll bring some sleet into these bowls for you to eat.
I bolt out into the sleet-filled outdoors like a bullet.
(Please bring me some sleet.)
Sleet falls slowly and steadily from dark bismuth-colored clouds.
Oh, Toshiko,
on the verge of death,
you asked me for a scoop of fresh snow,
leaving me with happy memories.
Thank you, my humble sister.
I will also wait and move forward immediately.
(Please bring me some sleet.)
You had a high fever and were having difficulty breathing.
You asked me for a bowl of melted snow .
A bowl of water,
the final form of snow that fell from the sky of a world that was called the galaxy,
the sun, the atmosphere, etc.
...On the two pieces of granite
The sleet is piling up sadly.
I stand unbalanced on it,
maintaining the white two-phase system of snow and water,
and from this shiny pine branch filled with cold dew,
I will receive my kind younger sister's last food.
We've grown up together.
Today you're saying goodbye to this worn-out two indigo bowls
that we're so familiar with.
(Ora Orade Shitori egumo : I will go by myself.)
Truly, today you are leaving.
In that closed hospital room
behind the dark screens and curtains
you are wrapped in a gentle pale light.
Ah, my dear sister.
No matter where I choose to snow,
It's so white everywhere.
This beautiful snow came from that dreadful, distorted sky.
(Next time I'll be born into a world where I won't have to suffer so much.)
I pray that the snow in the two bowls you are eating from will become ice cream that falls from the heavens, bringing you divine nourishment.
永訣の朝
けふのうちに
とほくへいつてしまふわたくしのいもうとよ
みぞれがふつておもてはへんにあかるいのだ
（あめゆじゆとてちてけんじや）
うすあかくいつそう陰惨(いんざん)な雲から
みぞれはびちよびちよふつてくる
（あめゆじゆとてちてけんじや）
青い蓴菜のもやうのついた
これらふたつのかけた陶椀に
おまへがたべるあめゆきをとらうとして
わたくしはまがつたてつぽうだまのやうに
このくらいみぞれのなかに飛びだした
（あめゆじゆとてちてけんじや）
蒼鉛いろの暗い雲から
みぞれはびちよびちよ沈んでくる
ああとし子
死ぬといふいまごろになつて
わたくしをいつしやうあかるくするために
こんなさつぱりした雪のひとわんを
おまへはわたくしにたのんだのだ
ありがたうわたくしのけなげないもうとよ
わたくしもまつすぐにすすんでいくから
（あめゆじゆとてちてけんじや）
はげしいはげしい熱やあえぎのあひだから
おまへはわたくしにたのんだのだ
銀河や太陽、気圏などとよばれたせかいの
そらからおちた雪のさいごのひとわんを……
…ふたきれのみかげせきざいに
みぞれはさびしくたまつてゐる
わたくしはそのうへにあぶなくたち
雪と水とのまつしろな二相系(にさうけい)をたもち
すきとほるつめたい雫にみちた
このつややかな松のえだから
わたくしのやさしいいもうとの
さいごのたべものをもらつていかう
わたしたちがいつしよにそだつてきたあひだ
みなれたちやわんのこの藍のもやうにも
もうけふおまへはわかれてしまふ
(Ora Orade Shitori egumo)
ほんたうにけふおまへはわかれてしまふ
あぁあのとざされた病室の
くらいびやうぶやかやのなかに
やさしくあをじろく燃えてゐる
わたくしのけなげないもうとよ
この雪はどこをえらばうにも
あんまりどこもまつしろなのだ
あんなおそろしいみだれたそらから
このうつくしい雪がきたのだ
（うまれでくるたて
こんどはこたにわりやのごとばかりで
くるしまなあよにうまれてくる）
おまへがたべるこのふたわんのゆきに
わたくしはいまこころからいのる
どうかこれが天上のアイスクリームになつて
おまへとみんなとに聖い資糧をもたらすやうに
わたくしのすべてのさいはひをかけてねがふ
A scorpion with red eyes
The wings of an eagle are spread
A little dog with blue eyes
Glowing coils of snake
Orion sings high, and bringing dew and frost
Andromeda's cloud is shaped like a fish's mouth
Five bear's legs from the Great Bear
Extending northward
Above the bear's forehead of the Little Bear
The goal of the star tour
"Song of the Star Tour" was written and composed by Kenji Miyazawa.
星めぐりの歌
あかいめだまの さそり
ひろげた鷲の つばさ
あをいめだまの 小いぬ
ひかりのへびの とぐろ
オリオンは高く うたひ
つゆとしもとを おとす
アンドロメダの くもは
さかなのくちの かたち
大ぐまのあしを きたに
五つのばした ところ
小熊のひたいの うへは
そらのめぐりの めあて
You can listen to the song "
（Song of the Star Tour：Hoshi Meguri no Uta）" on YouTube.
Miu Sakamoto sings "HOSHIMEGURI-NO-UTA
Miu Sakamoto is Ryuichi Sakamoto's daughter.
Taketori Monogatari: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
The original "TAKETORI MONOGATARI :The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" is said to be the oldest piece of literature in Japan.
It is said that "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" was written about 1000 years ago, when the capital was in Kyoto, known as the Heian period. The original author is unknown.
Because there was no printing technology at the time, this story was also copied and passed from person to person.
Therefore, it is not possible to know whether the work introduced here is completely original. Each time it was copied, someone may have added new embellishments.
This story is basically a surreal story, a fantasy about a woman from another world, but it also includes criticism of Buddhist morality and the aristocratic society of the time.
To translate this story, I first translated the original text into modern Japanese. I translated the modern Japanese story word for word into English using Google Translate.
One of the characteristics of Japanese is that the subject is often omitted. For Japanese people, the subject can be understood from the context, so if the subject appears frequently, it can be annoying.
For example, in "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," even pronouns such as "she" and "he" are often omitted in both the original text and the modern translation, and the meaning is difficult to convey when translated into English, so I added information that is not in the original text.
The story centers around a poor old couple who make a living by harvesting bamboo, but another important protagonist is Princess Kaguya.
Many picture books have been published that have been rewritten for children with an emphasis on Princess Kaguya.
Recently, Studio Ghibli produced an animated film called "The Tale of Princess Kaguya."
Although it is a story from 1000 years ago, it is still loved by many Japanese people, and even people overseas.
When translating this story, there were some parts where it was very difficult to convey the nuances of the Japanese.
Each character's name has a meaning and is often filled with the author's sarcastic or joking intent, but since it is impossible to translate these directly into English, they have been simply written as names.
Also, the nobles who propose to Princess Kaguya have their court titles preceded in their names, but these are official ranks from 1,000 years ago and would be difficult to translate into modern-day English.
In the aristocratic society of the time, there was a culture of writing down one's thoughts in short poems called "uta" and sending them in letters, rather than meeting in person.
By writing these "uta," the unique Japanese writing system known as "hiragana" was created from kanji characters that were transmitted to Japan from China, and over time it was refined and perfected.
Most of the "uta" that appear in this story have double meanings, either moral lessons or jokes, but this is also a nuance that can only be conveyed in Japanese, which has many homonyms, so translating it was difficult.
Unfortunately, I decided to leave this part out and translate only the contents of the characters' letters.
If there are Japanese language learners who are interested in this part, I would recommend reading the original work in Japanese, even though it is quite advanced.
In modern Japan, songs are still called tanka or waka and are loved by many Japanese people.
Every January, the Imperial Palace holds a poetry gathering.
This is an event where poems selected from those submitted from all over Japan are read aloud by the composers in front of the Emperor and Empress.
There are no qualifications to apply, so anyone who can write a poem in Japanese can apply.
Every year, people of all ages, from children whose songs are selected to the elderly, participate in this event.
I wrote that exchanging a poem was an aristocratic culture, but the Manyoushu, Japan's oldest poetry collection, contains songs from a variety of people, from the emperor to the soldiers guarding the border.
I would recommend the Manyoshu to anyone interested in the Japanese language and literature.
Author: Sabashi Ryo