This article was written by Ai Masaya (Librarian at Ichinoseki City Library) and translated by Aimi Bell. 

“These are my stories gathered from the forests, fields, railroad tracks, rainbows and moonlight.” From the introduction to the fairy tale collection “A restaurant with many orders”-

Poet and fairy tale writer Kenji Miyazawa, was born in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture in 1896. By the time of his passing at the tender age of 37, he had published a collection of poems and fairy tales of which would only become famous posthumously.

Kenji’s fairy tale work is set in the utopia “IHATOV” modeled on Iwate Prefecture, where he was born and raised. He had a deep knowledge and love of nature. In his unique world, people would talk with animals, plants, and even minerals. Another feature strongly reflected in Kenji’s work is his view of morality and religion. Kenji’s fairy tales continue to be published in elementary school textbooks and are loved by many people of all ages.

“One Saturday evening, a most peculiar postcard arrived at Ichiro’s house. This is what it said.
September 19

Mr. Ichiro Kaneta

Pleased to know as how you’re well. Tomorrow I’ve got a difficult case to judge, so please come. Please don’t bring no firearms. Yours respectfully, Wildcat” (1)

Kenji, who loved Iwate’s hills and fields, wrote works that represents a strong sense of unity with nature. Meanwhile, he was an agricultural engineer who was familiar with the rigors of farming in the region. Due to the frequent cold weather in Iwate prefecture, many farmers were forced to endure difficult lives and sometimes faced dire circumstances such as family separation. Kenji, who had witnessed the challenges of farmers from an early age, continued to wonder whether there was a way for everyone to be happy.

“If there is a sick child in the east

He goes there to nurse the child

If there’s a tired mother in the west

He goes to her and carries her sheaves

If someone is near death in the south

He goes and says, ‘Don’t be afraid’

If there are strife and lawsuits in the north

He demands that the people put an end to their pettiness”

“… That is the kind of person I want to be” (2)

Among the people he came upon was Tozo Suzuki, who was operating the former Tohoku Stone-Crushing Plant in the Town of Higashiyama, Ichinoseki. In Higashiyama, limestone, which works as a soil conditioner, can be mined. Kenji collaborated with Tozo Suzuki on the widespread use of soil conditioners and became a part-time engineer at the stone-crushing plant. Kenji, who was busily engaged in selling lime in distant Tokyo, fell ill during this time and lost his life two years later without recovering. His life was one that continued to seek the utmost happiness of every person.

“ ‘I’m not scared of all that dark,’ he said. ‘I’m going to get to the bottom of everything and find out what will make people happy. We’ll go together, Campanella, as far as we can go.’ “ (3)

The former Tohoku Stone-Crushing Plant where Kenji worked as an engineer is now registered as a national cultural property and is open to the public as the “Museum of Stones and Kenji”. More on the museum in part 2.

A quick word from the author of this article: Ai Masaya, Librarian at Ichinoseki City Library.
“I’ve been a fan of Kenji Miyazawa’s work since participating in a stage performance of “Night on the Galactic Railroad” at an elementary school festival. Many writers, captivated by Kenji Miyazawa’s works have published wonderful picture books, manga, music, and stage productions, which I also love.

Here are some of my recommended books of Miyazawa Kenji that have been translated into English.

(1) Kenji, Miyazawa. John, Bester. Wildcat and The Acorns, Kodansha, 1985, pp. 77

(2) Kenji, Miyazawa. Roger, Pulvers. “STRONG IN THE RAIN”, 英語で読み解く賢治の世界, Iwanami-shoten, 2008, pp. 3

(3) Kenji, Miyazawa. Roger, Pulvers. Kenji Miyazawa’s Night On The Milky Way Train, Chikuma-Shobo, 1996, pp. 221