Kenji Miyazawa

Kenji Miyazawa. , You are facing the only statue of Kenji Miyazawa outside of Japan. We are grateful to the Miyazawa family for permission to erect it here. It is our hope that you will appreciate his body of work, including the message contained in this poem, and have a desire to learn about him, his writings, and his homeland. , , Kenji Miyazawa was born in Hanamaki, Japan. He lived but 37 years, yet was an accomplished agriculturalist, geologist, astronomer, and author. Kenji's literary works received scant attention during his lifetime, and only two books were published before his passing. Today, he has transcended generations to become one of Japan's most read and beloved authors. His powerful literature crosses national and cultural boundaries to offer encouragement to people the world over. , , Following the March 2011 earthquake that struck Kenji's native Iwate prefecture, where our sister city, Hanamaki, is located, the words of his poem, "Strong in the Rain," resonated with the people of Japan and around the world as a tribute to the strength and resilience of the Japanese people. , , Sister Cities , , Hot springs, Arkansas and Hanamaki, Japan have been sister cities since 1993, a relationship initiated because of the similarities between the two cities, each having thermal springs, bath houses, natural surroundings, a desire to ensure a bright future for our children, and a wish to live in a more peaceful world. This statue honors the people of Hanamaki, Japan upon the 20th anniversary of our Sister City friendship. , , Strong in the Rain , Kenji Miyazawa, 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 temper , 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 , Everyone calls him 'Blockhead' , No one sings his praises , Or takes him to heart, That is the kind of person , I want to be , Translation by Roger Pulvers