Night Train to the Stars: beloved, enigmatic Japanese folk tales

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There is both beauty and pathos in these vigorous attempts at conversion. From the point of view of his loved ones, it must have been exasperating. But from Kenji’s point of view, it was a matter of life and death. If they didn’t become Nichiren Buddhists and chant the daimoku, they would not escape samsara; they would not achieve enlightenment in this lifetime. And he was determined to save them. How could he not be? How could he not do everything in his power to save those dearest to him? Milky Way Railroad gives some insight into the mind of the religious proselytizer. Namu myoho renge kyo. This is the mantra of Nichiren Buddhism. It means ‘Veneration to the Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Law.’ To understand Kenji Miyazawa and his marvelous Milky Way Railroad, one must understand his devotion to Nichiren Buddhism. Science was not merely an abstract interest for Kenji. He was an agricultural scientist. Moreover, his interest in science and his devotion to religion were not two different sides of him. They were intimately intertwined. As a Nichiren Buddhist, Kenji was deeply concerned about the plight of the poor. As an agricultural scientist, he wanted to work to alleviate this suffering. Matasaburo el dios del viento, llega un nuevo alumno a la escuela de campo y los compañeros están seguros de que el niño nuevo es en realidad el dios del viento, a pesar de que los adultos lo niegan. -El relato más costumbrista de la antología y con claras enseñanzas ecológicas. Gauche, el violoncelista" es un músico reprendido por su director de orquesta, quien le culpa de estropear la armonía de los instrumentos. A modo de desahogo, Gauche practica larga y apasionadamente con su instrumento por las noches, atrayendo a curiosos visitantes.

During a science lesson, the teacher asks the class what the Milky Way is made of. Having read about this at the house of Campanella, his only friend, Giovanni knows it is composed of stars, but is too timid to say so. When called upon, Campanella also does not answer, to save Giovanni from embarrassment. The novel is referenced several times in the 2015 film Maku ga Agaru, starring the Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z, besides being the main play that make the characters in the film. But for all Kenji’s admiration for his Christian characters, he did not believe all religions were equal. Just as he believed science was subordinate to religion, so he believed Christianity was subordinate to Nichiren Buddhism. The strength of his religious beliefs and the zeal with which he proselytized for the faith can be seen in a letter he sent to his colleague Miyamoto Tomoichi on March 10, 1921. In an excerpt from the letter, translated by Jon P. Holt, he writes: Stray Sheep by Kenshi Yonezu contains a song titled "Campanella" named after a character in the novel. The lyrics are from the point of view of Zanelli (one of the bullies) after Campanella sacrifices himself to save him from drowning. [14]Yakitate!! Japan has a short mention of the work as illustrated in the reaction of the judge Pierrot, the world class clown, after eating the bread of Shadow who promised it would send him across the galaxy to see his mother. It is shown that the characters mother's favorite book is the same piece of literature; she is shown in a painting holding the book. (This is only in the anime: in the manga, Pierrot is instead transported to the world of Galaxy Express 999, which was adapted from this work.) The 2011 anime Mawaru-Penguindrum makes multiple references to both the book and the anime adaptation throughout, such as the red and blue colors associated with the main characters, the "Scorpion Fire" parable and the apple motif. On board the train, Giovanni and Campanella meet the Bird Catcher. When Giovanni asks if he catches birds for “ specimens,” the bird catcher replies that he catches them for food. Then he invites Giovanni and Campanella to eat some goose. This scene is odd and I think it is one of the scenes that elevates this story from mere novel to mythopoeic masterpiece. The bird catcher breaks off a goose’s leg “ as if it were made of chocolate” (71) and when the boys eat it Giovanni notes that it tastes like cake. One Hundred Japanese Books for Children (1946-1979)". International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka . Retrieved 2006-10-07.

In the manga Act-Age, the main character, Yonagi Kei, and other secondary characters perform a theatre play version of the story, with Kei as Campanella. Nichiren Buddhists believe that the whole of the dharma is in the title of the Lotus Sutra and that enlightenment can be achieved in this lifetime through faith in the Lotus Sutra. This faith is expressed by chanting Namu myoho renge kyo. Moreover, Nichiren Buddhists believe this is the only way to achieve enlightenment in our time, for we live in a time of declining dharma. a b "Main English Translation of Kenji's Works". The World of Kenji Miyazawa. Laboratory for Inter-field Communication . Retrieved 2007-07-29. After Miyazawa's most beloved sister Toshi died in 1922, Miyazawa, in sorrow, went on a railroad trip to Karafuto. He started working on this novel soon afterward in 1924, and this trip is said to be the basis of the story. [5] He kept on polishing the work steadily until his death in 1933. The middle part of the novel was never completed but was published as it is nevertheless. October 1990: Chikuma Shobō third draft version (in Japanese) (Archived from the original on 2006-10-06)

The story and characters of Giovanni no Shima [13] have a deep connection to the book, referencing it several times to the point where characters are playing scenes of their counterparts in Miyazawa's story. The protagonist's names, Junpei and Kanta, originate from "Giovanni" and "Campanella" respectively. However, the greatest tension was caused by his efforts to convert his best friend Hosaka Kanai. Apparently his religious fervor strained the friendship to the point that his friend avoided his company. This distressed Kenji, not merely because of the strained friendship, but more importantly, because his friend’s soul was in danger. Precioso cuento cuya moraleja enseña que pocas cosas en la vida se consiguen sin esfuerzo e ilusión y que no debe perderse la esperanza cuando aquello que intentamos hacer no sale bien a la primera. The religious nature of this story is more evident in Strong’s translation than in Sigrist and Stroud’s. Some of the differences may be less meaningful to the Western reader. For example, in “The Milky Way Festival,” Sigrist and Stroud translate “ Sagittarius, send down the rain” (36)! Strong translates it as “ Centaurus, send the dew” (17)! Dew is a traditional Japanese symbol of ephemerality. El Tren Nocturno De La Vía Láctea, sobre un niño que hace un viaje onírico con un amigo, mientras espera el regreso de su padre de un viaje. Durante el sueño recorren las estrellas en el tren y van conociendo otros pasajeros. -El mejor de los tres relatos, una historia llena de descripciones imaginativas, simbolismos sobre el budismo y un gran final que nos deja pensando largo rato en lo que acabamos de leer.

In the mobile game Magia Record, a spinoff to the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica, there are multiple references to the book. For example, the doppels of the main characters Iroha and Yachiyo are named Giovanna and Campanella.

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DJ Unit Lyrical Lily from D4DJ released a song titled "Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru Ni" ( 銀河鉄道の夜に). The lyrics depict scenes from the novel. I honestly adored the metaphors that Miyazawa brought and his stories are intended to put moral values in the real world, but he used animals instead. Almost all of his stories have talking animals and woods that can communicate with people and in one way, it served a good medium as these stories are mostly written for children. JR East to name C58 train currently being restored "SL Ginga" - entering service next spring]. Mainichi.jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 6 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-12-14 . Retrieved 6 November 2013. a person creates happiness around him when he does something good. That's why I'm sure my mum will forgive me.-- Empiezo por aclarar que no estoy segura de haber entendido todas las metáforas y simbolismos que encierran las líneas de este tercer y último relato (que da título al libro). Sin embargo si se toma como tal, el relato se puede disfrutar igualmente: es el producto del sueño de un niño solitario con viajar entre las estrellas y encontrar un mundo que sea menos cruel que este en el que vivimos.