“Ame ni Mo Makezu”, Not losing to the rain
March 20th, 2011
“Ame ni Mo Makezu” is a great piece of poetry written by Kenji Miyazawa. I believe this is probably one of the most famous Japanese poems. All Japanese who completed compulsory education must have learnt it in school, and might like and still remember it mostly.
Today I found kizuna311, a website that launched by a Hollywood Actor Ken Watanabe to encourage Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Victims(see also Ken Watanabe launches website to encourage solidarity in earthquake aftermath). In kizuna311, he read this poem, “Ame ni Mo Makezu”. Here is its youtube video. A transliteration and English translation for the text of the poem follow:
“Ame ni Mo Makezu” By Kenji MiyazawaEnglish translation ( transliteration using romaji ) |
| not losing to the rain (ame ni mo makezu) not losing to the wind (kaze ni mo makezu) not losing to the snow nor to summer’s heat (yuki ni mo natsu no atsusa ni mo makenu) with a strong body (jyobu na karada wo mochi) unfettered by desire (yoku wa naku) never losing temper (kesshite ikarazu) cultivating a quiet joy (itsu mo shizuka ni waratte iru) every day four bowls of brown rice (ichi nichi ni genmai yon go to) miso and some vegetables to eat (miso to sukoshi no yasai wo tabe) in everything (arayuru koto wo) count yourself last and put others before you (jibun wo kanjo ni irezu ni) watching and listening, and understanding (yoku mikiki shi wakari) and never forgetting (soshite wasurezu) in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields (nohara no matsu no hayashi no kage no) being in a little thatched hut (chiisa na kayabuki no koya ni ite) if there is a sick child to the east (higashi ni byoki no kodomo areba) going and nursing over them (itte kanbyo shite yari) if there is a tired mother to the west (nishi ni tsukareta haha areba) going and shouldering her sheaf of rice (itte sono ine no taba wo oi) if there is someone near death to the south (minami ni shiniso na hito areba) going and saying there’s no need to be afraid (itte kowagaranakute mo ii to ii) if there is a quarrel or a suit to the north (kita ni kenka ya sosho ga areba) telling them to leave off with such waste (tsumaranai kara yamero to ii) when there’s drought, shedding tears of sympathy (hideri no toki wa namida wo nagashi) when the summer’s cold, wandering upset (samusa no natsu wa oro-oro aruki) called a blockhead by everyone (minna ni deku-no-bo to yobare) without being praised (homerare mo sezu) without being blamed (ku ni mo sarezu) such a person (so iu mono ni) I want to become (watashi wa naritai) |
※ Source: Wikipedia Ame ni Mo Makezu
I actually saw the poem after a long interval. It was exactly the same “Ame ni Mo Makezu” as before. But this time I felt something different, something that I haven’t felt before. I read this poem more empathetically than never before. This is absolutely because of what we Japanese have experienced for last few days – Japan earthquake and tsunami. You will see in this poem the author’s ideas about how he should think of nature, how he should live, how he should support people, and whom he wants to be like. It must teach us a lot especially for this time of devastation and suffering, and let us start thinking of what we can do for the victims.
No related posts.
Posted in: Random Topics, Translation
