Kenji Miyazawa 1896-1933
He was a very great poet and fairy tale writer in Japan.
He was known as Buddhist,vegetarian,but he was not a vegetarian.
He just loved vegetarian's idea.
His famous poet "Ame nimo makezu" is my favorite.
I feel Japanese plain soul from this poet.
Ame nimo makezu
Not losing to the rain
ame nimo makezu
not losing to the rain
kaze nimo makezu
not losing to the wind
yuki nimo natsu no atsusa nimo makenu
not losing to the snow nor to summer's heat
jyoubu na karada wo mochi
with a strong body
yoku wa naku
unfettered by desire
kesshite ikarazu
never losing temper
itsumo shizuka ni waratte iru
cultivating a quiet joy
ichinichi ni genmai yon gou to
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso to sukoshi no yasai wo tabe
miso and some vegetables to eat
arayuru koto wo
in everything
jibun wo kanjyou ni irezu ni
count yourself last and put others before you
yoku mikiki shi wakari
watching and listening, and understanding
soshite wasurezu
and never forgetting
nohara no matsu no hayashi no kage no
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
chiisana kayabuki no koya ni ite
being in a little thatched hut
higashi ni byouki no kodomo areba
if there is a sick child to the east
itte kanbyou shite yari
going and nursing over them
nishi ni tsukareta haha areba
if there is a tired mother to the west
itte sono ine no taba wo oi
going and shouldering her sheaf of rice
minami ni shinisou na hito areba
if there is someone near death to the south
itte kowagaranakute mo ii to ii
going and saying there is no need to be afraid
kita ni kenka ya soshou ga areba
if there is a quarrel or a suit to the north
tsumaranai kara yamero to ii
telling them to leave off with such waste
hideri no toki wa namida wo nagashi
when there is drought, shedding tears of sympathy
samusa no natsu wa orooro aruki
when the summer's cold, wandering upset
minna ni dekunobou to yobare
called a blockhead by everyone
homerare mo sezu
without being praised
ku ni mo sarezu
without being blamed
souiu mono ni
such a person
watashi wa naritai
I want to become
translation by japanese-english.jp