8. Not losing to the rain

Today, I write about “only one Christian.”
It is the story more than 100 years ago.
He was only one Christian in a town.
The most of Japanese are Buddhists.
He received persecution.
He was sneered, and a stone was thrown.
He resigned as the teacher of the elementary school.
He did not leave the town.
He began work of the delivery of a newspaper and the milk.
He prayed and served for people.

One day his teacher got sick.
He makes up his mind to go to Tokyo to nurse the teacher.
Many people regret on actions.
And many people gathered at the station to see him off.
Many people properly expresses gratitude.
And “Saito Sojiro” goes to Tokyo.

“Kenji Miyazawa” boy was there.
“Miyazawa Kenji” released the following poetry afterwards.

not losing to the rain
not losing to the wind
not losing to the snow nor to summer’s heat
with a strong body
unfettered by desire
never losing temper
always quietly smiling
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso and some vegetables to eat
in everything
count yourself last and put others before you
watching and listening, and understanding
and never forgetting
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
being in a little thatched hut
if there is a sick child to the east
going and nursing over them
if there is a tired mother to the west
going and shouldering her sheaf of rice
if there is someone near death to the south
going and saying there’s no need to be afraid
if there is a quarrel or a lawsuit to the north
telling them to leave off with such waste
when there’s drought, shedding tears of sympathy
when the summer’s cold, wandering upset
called a nobody by everyone
without being praised
without being blamed
such a person
I want to become

This poem is in the mind of the Japanese.

If you can’t find items you’re looking for, please feel free to contact me.
I will find any item for you.
Thank you.

Kazuyoshi Kawahara
kaw8456@salsa.ocn.ne.jp