Strong in the Rain - Aussie version

Strong in the Rain by Miyazawa Kenji
- Aussie version

strong in the rain
strong in the wind
strong in the snow and summer heat
someone strong as an ox
wants nothing for themself
never loses their temper
but is always quietly smiling
someone who each day eats their share of bread
soup and some vegetables
someone who in all things
never takes themself into account and always puts others first
always understands by carefully watching, carefully listening
and never forgets
a person who lives in a little shearer's hut in the shadows of gum trees in the back paddock
and if there is a sick child in the east
goes and nurses that child
and if there is a tired mother in the west
goes and takes over her chores
and if someone is dying in the south
goes and says ‘there’s no use being afraid’
and if people have a blue or a lawsuit in the north
goes and says ‘stop the bulldust’
and when there is a drought, sheds tears on the land
and when there is a cold summer, walks praying for sunshine
someone called a drongo by everyone
never praised
but never a nuisance to anyone either

this is the person I want to be



original poem by Miyazawa Kenji, translated by Adam Wojcinski


Strong in the Rain by Miyazawa Kenji

Someone strong in the rain
strong in the wind
strong in the snow and summer heat
someone with a sound body
free from desire
never gives in to anger
but is always quietly smiling
someone who each day eats their share of unpolished rice
miso soup and some vegetables
someone who in all things
never takes themself into account and always puts others first
always understands by carefully watching, carefully listening
and never forgets
A person who lives in a thatched hut in the shadows of a pine grove in a field
and if there is a sick child in the east
goes and nurses that child
and if there is a tired mother in the west
goes and carries her bundles of rice
and if someone is dying in the south
goes and says ‘there is no need to fear’
and if there is a quarrel or a lawsuit in the north
goes and says ‘stop being petty’
and when there is a drought, sheds tears on the land
and when there is a cold summer, walks about praying for sunshine
Someone called a nobody by everyone
never praised
but never a nuisance to anyone either

this is the person I want to be


original poem by Miyazawa Kenji, translated by Adam Wojcinski with reference to the translation in 'The Manga Biography of Kenji Miyazawa' by Ko Yano. 
Manga lent to read on the trip home from Sydney after tea practice by my student in the Way of Tea and teacher in life, Stephen Carroll.


Original by Miyazawa Kenji:

雨ニモマケズ
風ニモマケズ
雪ニモ夏ノ暑サニモマケヌ
丈夫ナカラダヲモチ
慾ハナク
決シテ瞋ラズ
イツモシヅカニワラッテヰル
一日ニ玄米四合ト
味噌ト少シノ野菜ヲタベ
アラユルコトヲ
ジブンヲカンジョウニ入レズニ
ヨクミキキシワカリ
ソシテワスレズ
野原ノ松ノ林ノ蔭ノ
小サナ萓ブキノ小屋ニヰテ
東ニ病気ノコドモアレバ
行ッテ看病シテヤリ
西ニツカレタ母アレバ
行ッテソノ稲ノ朿ヲ負ヒ
南ニ死ニサウナ人アレバ
行ッテコハガラナクテモイヽトイヒ
北ニケンクヮヤソショウガアレバ
ツマラナイカラヤメロトイヒ
ヒドリノトキハナミダヲナガシ
サムサノナツハオロオロアルキ
ミンナニデクノボートヨバレ
ホメラレモセズ
クニモサレズ
サウイフモノニ
ワタシハナリタイ