Ame ni mo makezu Kaze ni mo makezu
Yuki ni mo natsu no atsusa ni mo makenu
Joubu na karada wo mochi
Yoku wa naku
Kesshite ikarazu
Itsumo shizuka ni waratte iru
Ichinichi ni genmai yon gou to
Miso to sukoshi no yasai wo tabe
Arayuru koto wo
Jibun wo kanjou ni irezuni
Yoku miki kishi wakari
Soshite wasurezu
Nohara no matsu no hayashi no kage no
Chiisana kayabuki no koya ni ite
Higashi ni byouki no kodomo areba
Itte kanbyou shite yari
Nishi ni tsukareta haha areba
Itte sono ine no taba wo oi
Minami ni shinisou na hito areba
Itte kowagaranakute mo ii to ii
Kita ni kenka ya soshou areba
Tsumaranai kara yamero to ii
Hideri no toki wa namida wo nagashi
Samusa no natsu wa orooro aruki
Minna ni dekunobou to yobare
Homerare mo sezu
Kuni mo sarezu
Sou iu mono ni
Watashi wa naritai
***
Be not defeated by the rain,
Nor let the wind prove your better.
Succumb not to the snows of winter,
Nor be bested by the heat of summer.
Be strong in body,
Unfettered by desire,
Not enticed to anger.
Cultivate a quiet joy.
Count yourself last in everything,
Put others before you.
Watch well and listen closely.
Hold the learned lessons dear.
A thatch-roof house, in a meadow,
Nestled in a pine grove’s shade.
If, to the East, a child lies sick:
Go forth and nurse him to health.
If, to the West, an old lady stands exhausted:
Go forth, and relieve her of burden.
If, to the South, a man lies dying:
Go forth with words of courage to dispel his fear.
If, to the North, an argument or fight ensues:
Go forth and beg them stop such a waste of effort and of spirit.
In times of drought, shed tears of sympathy.
In summer’s cold, walk in concern and empathy.
Stand aloof of the unknowing masses:
Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a “Great Man”.
This is my goal, the person I strive to become.
--- Kenji Miyazawa in original Japanese text, with a popular English translation by David Sulz
This poem, written in 1931 is one of the most beloved works of Japanese literature. It has become a beloved symbol of perseverance and empathy in Japanese culture. Notably, it inspired the 2013 animated film "Rain Won't" (雨ニモマケズ), which beautifully illustrates the poem's message of resilience and compassion.