Description
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"In the transcendent stories of Miyazawa, Earth teems with magic and wonder." —Publishers Weekly
In these twelve stories by beloved Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa, boys travel the universe on a fantastical journey, birds and flowers dream of becoming stars, polar bears exact revenge on greedy hunters, and boulders strive for a meaningful life. Originally written for children and little appreciated during the author's lifetime, Miyazawa's tales have since found a loyal audience spanning all ages and eras. Perhaps this is because his imaginative breadth, ability to inhabit the perspective of seemingly any being on earth, and unfaltering moral core make his writings unlike those of any other author.
Seven of the stories appear here for the first time in English, while the other five are classics translated with fresh nuance by Jon Holt, who brings his extensive knowledge of Miyazawa's life and work to the volume. The stories include:
- The Cat Bureau
- Matasaburo of the Windfields
- The Nighthawk Star
- One Night on the Milky Way Railway
- The Star Twins
- Plus seven other enchanting tales
About the Author:
Kenji Miyazawa was born into a wealthy family in rural Japan in 1896 and grew up questioning the class disparities of his society. He became a devout Buddhist and teacher of poor farmers, writing poems and stories whose fairytale style often conceals a great depth of purpose. He published only two books before his death at the age of 37 but achieved wide acclaim posthumously, especially for the novella One Night on the Milky Way Railroad.
Jon Holt received his Ph.D. in Japanese Literature from the University of Washington with a dissertation on the work of Kenji Miyazawa. His research interests include modern Japanese poetry, children's literature, manga and Buddhism. He teaches Japanese literature and film as well as Japanese language.
