Abstract

The latest in the "Masterpieces to be Read for 100 Years" series: Six timeless stories and one poem, including "Ame ni mo Makezu" and "Kaze no Matasaburo."

◆A collection of fairy tales featuring six of Kenji Miyazawa's masterpieces that have been read for approximately 100 years, along with the poem "Ame ni mo Makezu."
◆Includes explanations (with photographs) at the end of the book, providing background information on each story, "Kaze no Matasaburo," and Kenji.
◆Akira Kusaka poetically depicts Kenji's beautiful fairy tales, in which he lived alongside the people and nature of Iwate.
◆Large format softcover for easy reading, with furigana (phonetic readings) for all kanji.
◆A book that can be enjoyed repeatedly throughout one's life, from elementary and junior high school students to adults.

"That's the kind of person I want to be." What kind of life did Kenji idealize amidst the threats of nature and harsh living conditions? This collection of fairy tales includes six classic stories and one poem by Kenji Miyazawa, which have been read for approximately 100 years, including his representative poem "Undefeated by the Rain," as well as "Matasaburo of the Wind," "The Beginning of the Deer Dance," and "The Shell's Fire." Akira Kusaka beautifully and fantastically depicts Miyazawa's heartfelt wishes that reflect the depths of his soul. The book includes explanations for each story and a section on "Matasaburo of the Wind" and Miyazawa's world (with photographs) at the end. All kanji characters have furigana (phonetic readings). This is a book that can be enjoyed again and again by children and adults alike.

Author’s Information

Kenji Miyazawa (author) was born in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, in 1896. Graduated from the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Morioka Higher School of Agriculture and Forestry. He began writing tanka poetry in his teens and left behind many poems and children's stories. During his lifetime, he published the poetry collection "Spring and Asura" and the children's story collection "The Restaurant of Many Orders." He also established the Rasuchijin Association and worked to improve the lives of farmers, but passed away in 1933 at the age of 37 due to acute pneumonia.

Akira Kusaka (illustrator): Illustrator and graphic designer. Resides in Osaka Prefecture. He mainly works on graphic design and illustrations for books. His illustrations include "Kenji Miyazawa Children's Story Collection: The Restaurant of Many Orders, Gauche the Cellist, etc." and "Kenji Miyazawa Children's Story Collection: The Cat's Office, Night on the Galactic Railroad, etc." (author: Kenji Miyazawa, Sekai Bunka Publishing), and "Units of the World That Cannot Be Measured" (author: Takashi Yonezawa, Sogensha). He also works as part of the picture, sound, and word unit "repair." Illustrations and trombone are the responsibility.

Yuji Ono (Supervisor) is professor at Joetsu University of Education. He majored in modern Japanese literature at the Faculty of Letters, Kanazawa University, and in the doctoral program at the University of Tsukuba. He researches novels and children's stories of the Taisho and Showa periods, including those by Yukio Mishima, Kenji Miyazawa, and Mimei Ogawa. His publications include "Kenji Miyazawa's Theory of Children's Stories: Purification and Refinement" and "Getting to Know Mimei Ogawa" (both published by Sokyu Shorin), as well as numerous other edited works.