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Miyazawa Kenji, poet and author
A poet and writer of children's stories from Iwate Prefecture, known for 銀河鉄道の夜 (Night on the Galactic Railroad) and 注文の多い料理店 (The Restaurant of Many Orders). Almost unknown in his lifetime, he is now one of the most loved writers in Japan.
Often called just 賢治 by readers.
Common expressions
- 雨ニモマケズ: "Unbeaten by rain," his most famous poem, found in a notebook after his death
- 銀河鉄道の夜: Night on the Galactic Railroad
- イーハトーブ: his name for an ideal Iwate, used today in local place and product names
Cultural note
He worked as an agricultural teacher and devoted himself to helping poor farmers, and his writing mixes Buddhist faith, science, and the landscape of rural Iwate. 雨ニモマケズ, which describes a humble person who lives for others, is standard school reading and is often quoted in times of disaster.