Ame ni mo Makezu (Strong in the rain)

[AsahinaKimi]

A poem by Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933), a native of Iwate Prefecture, is gaining popularity throughout Japan and overseas as an inspirational message to the victims of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The poem, "Ame ni mo Makezu (Strong in the rain)," is one of Miyazawa's representative works. The poet is often known only as Kenji in Japan. ~Asahi.com

"Ame ni mo Makezu (Strong in the rain)," recited by Actor Ken Watanabe.(see video below)

The translation in English:
(Translated by Roger Pulvers)


Strong in the rain

Strong in the wind

Strong against the summer heat and snow

He is healthy and robust

Free from all desire

He never loses his generous spirit

Nor the quiet smile on his lips

He eats four "go" of unpolished rice

Miso and a few vegetables a day

He does not consider himself

In whatever occurs ... his understanding

Comes from observation and experience

And he never loses sight of things

He lives in a little thatched-roof hut

In a field in the shadows of a pine tree grove

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

He weeps at the time of drought

He plods about at a loss during the cold summer

Everybody calls him "Blockhead"

No one sings his praises

Or takes him to heart


That is the kind of person

I want to be


(Editor's note: Go is a Japanese measurement. One go is roughly equivalent to 180 milliliters.)


Here is the video of Ken Watanabe reading this poem;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvFEffacY5g

More about the poem here:
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201104170147.html

[formercia]

1. K&R n/t

[Generic Other]

2. That made me cry

Thanks for posting it.

[AsahinaKimi]

3. You're welcome (kochira koso)

Me too.. (watashi mo) BTW, I posted it on Twitter, if anyone is on there and would like to retweet it, just look for me~ AsahinaKimiko. Thank you!