As part of our embroidery collaboration, artist and architect Shirley Liu introduced us to the poem 雨ニモマケズ by Kenji Miyazawa. The poem is dates back to the Showa period of Japan, was found posthumously in a small black notebook in one of the poet's trunks.

The title of the poem, in Shirley's own handwriting, is embroidered onto our limited edition tee.

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雨ニモマケズ 
Be Not Defeated by Rain

雨ニモマケズ  not losing to the rain
風ニモマケズ  not losing to the wind
雪ニモ夏ノ暑サニモマケヌ  not losing to the snow nor to summer's heat
丈夫ナカラダヲモチ  with a strong body
慾ハナク not fettered by desire
決シテ瞋ラズ  by no means offending anyone
イツモシヅカニワラッテヰル  always quietly smiling
一日ニ玄米四合ト  every day four bowls of brown rice
味噌ト少シノ野菜ヲタベ  miso and some vegetables to eat
アラユルコトヲ  in everything
ジブンヲカンジョウニ入レズニ  count yourself last and put others before you
ヨクミキキシワカリ watching and listening, and understanding
ソシテワスレズ  and never forgetting
野原ノ松ノ林ノ蔭ノ  in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
小サナ萓ブキノ小屋ニヰテ  being in a little thatched hut
東ニ病氣ノコドモアレバ  if there is a sick child to the east
行ッテ看病シテヤリ going and nursing over them
西ニツカレタ母アレバ  if there is a tired mother to the west
行ッテソノ稻ノ朿ヲ負ヒ  going and shouldering her sheaf of rice
南ニ死ニサウナ人アレバ  if there is someone near death to the south
行ッテコハガラナクテモイヽトイヒ going and saying there's no need to be afraid
北ニケンクヮヤソショウガアレバ if there is a quarrel or a lawsuit to the north
ツマラナイカラヤメロトイヒ telling them to leave off with such waste
ヒデリノトキハナミダヲナガシ when there's drought, shedding tears of sympathy
サムサノナツハオロオロアルキ when the summer's cold, wandering upset
ミンナニデクノボートヨバレ  called a nobody by everyone
ホメラレモセズ  without being praised
クニモサレズ  without being blamed
サウイフモノニ  such a person
ワタシハナリタイ  I want to become 

Source and translation.

 

 

Background to 雨ニモマケズ

Despite being regarded widely as a talented poet today, Kenji Miyazawa was practically unrecognized for his literary works during his life time. At the time of his death, a humble, black notebook was found in the lid of his trunk — and in its pages consisted of the now literary classic 雨ニモマケズ.

While Miyazawa's works were praised by a handful established poets during his lifetime, his writing did not gained its reputation until posthumously. He eventually found work as an agricultural science teacher, as his self-published pieces failed to bring him financial success. His students described him as an eccentric. Miyazawa also preferred conducting hands-on lessons in the field over hosting classes in the classroom. Two years later, he resigned from his teaching position altogether to take up farming. He had hoped to help the impoverished peasants in the rural communities with his knowledge. He died of pneumonia in 1933 at just age 33. 

Despite writing the poem on his sickbed, Miyazawa's "Be Not Defeated by Rain" speaks of hope. His unwavering words does not sound like one who is near death's door, but instead, are filled with earnestness and kindness. Even in his last moments, Miyazawa strives to tell us of who he wishes to become.

Today, a museum dedicated to his life and works stands in his hometown. His poems are read and well-loved by all.