Miyazawa Kenji's Ten Japanese Stories for Children

Book excerpt: Miyazawa Kenji is perhaps the most widely researched Japanese writer presently, not only by Japanese scholars but also by foreign scholars of Japanese literature worldwide. The relevance and meaning of Kenji's works to the contemporary world have increased manifold over the years and the researchers throughout the world unanimously agree to the truth that his works stand for the betterment and benefit of the mankind as a whole. This universality of his works appeals to the psyche of every human being on this earth, irrespective his/her age, race, gender, language or nationality. Ten of his representative short stories in English translation are introduced in this volume for my young fellow countrymen. Each of these ten stories enwrapped in Indian/Buddhist ideology bears a different colour and style, depicting through animals and birds the intricate human society, agonized by discrimination, infighting, deceit, fraud, muscle power, betrayal, arrogance, life and rebirth, cause and effect and lack of mutual love and concern. In CHILDREN OF THE GINGKO TREE, the true picture of this transient world is depicted through the separation of beloved ones. Nothing is permanent in this world. In THE WILD GOOSE CHILD, the concept of Karma, Cause and Effect, Rebirth and ultimate attainment of Nirvana through penitence are described. In THE EARTH GOD AND THE FOX, a triangular relationship of three characters, namely, the Earth God, the Fox and the beautiful Birch Tree unfolds the selfish, impatient and cruel mentality of man, who has no place in his mind for love, sympathy or fellow feeling towards others. In WILDCAT AND THE ACORNS, the fight among the acorns for superiority is depicted so realistically and vividly that it reflects the true daily life of human beings. In THE LION KING Kenji is narrating how effectively the ruler of the wild kingdom, the lion, maintain the law and order in his domain. This is a classic example of wise and prudent actions by the animals, something which is lacked by the human beings. In THREE FROGS AND A RUBBER SHOE, jealous and wickedness of human mind are depicted through the vicious actions of Bun and Ben frogs. However, one cannot escape from the retribution of his actions. In THE SHELL FIRE, Kenji is depicting the importance of selfless affection and love towards fellow beings. The Shell Fire in our hearts will glow brilliantly only if we have a kind, merciful and loving heart towards others. In THE NIGHTHAWK STAR, the author is depicting the successful life of a meek and weak nighthawk who attained his goal through sheer determination and strong will power, overcoming the social discrimination and willful threat from the mighty hawk. In THE RESTAURANT OF MANY ORDERS, how the greed and wickedness of a man make him selfish and blind towards the suffering of others and lead him to the brink of destruction is narrated. In CHESTNUT TREE AND MONKEY CHAIRS, the fantasy of a young boy, where the boy himself has become the subject for classical deception by the tiny monkies , is narrated.