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Night Train to the Stars and Other Stories
This translation of one of Miyazawa Kenji's children's tales explores the relationship between the infinite and everyday life in Northern Japan through a galactic journey undertaken by the two young protagonists.
175 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 1996
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About the author
Kenji Miyazawa
990 books342 followersHis name is written as 宮沢賢治 in Japanese, and translated as 宮澤賢治 in Traditional Chinese.
Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933) was born in Iwate, one of the northernmost prefectures in Japan. In high school, he studied Zen Buddhism and developed a lifelong devotion to the Lotus Sutra, a major influence on his writing. After graduating from an agricultural college, he moved to Tokyo to begin his writing career but had to return home to care for a sick sister. He remained in his home in Iwate for the rest of his life. One of his best-known works is the novel Night on the Galactic Railroad, which was adapted into anime in the late twentieth century, as were many of his short stories. Much of his poetry is still popular in Japan today.
Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933) was born in Iwate, one of the northernmost prefectures in Japan. In high school, he studied Zen Buddhism and developed a lifelong devotion to the Lotus Sutra, a major influence on his writing. After graduating from an agricultural college, he moved to Tokyo to begin his writing career but had to return home to care for a sick sister. He remained in his home in Iwate for the rest of his life. One of his best-known works is the novel Night on the Galactic Railroad, which was adapted into anime in the late twentieth century, as were many of his short stories. Much of his poetry is still popular in Japan today.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 27, 2021
*Score: 7/10*
This collection includes the title story as the main one, plus 3 other shorter works, all in style of folktales. Main story is about a boy who goes on a train to the milky way, and explores themes relating to heaven and religion as well as personal loss, while the other stories are more delved into traditional folktales about some fox trickery and brids and a general stuck on a horse.
Generally this was pleasant and whimsical while also a bit dark in some areas, but its a bit too simplistic in style and writing for my taste. Its fun and short, and is entertaining and offers some good nature imagery, but otherwise not a very memorable experience.
This collection includes the title story as the main one, plus 3 other shorter works, all in style of folktales. Main story is about a boy who goes on a train to the milky way, and explores themes relating to heaven and religion as well as personal loss, while the other stories are more delved into traditional folktales about some fox trickery and brids and a general stuck on a horse.
Generally this was pleasant and whimsical while also a bit dark in some areas, but its a bit too simplistic in style and writing for my taste. Its fun and short, and is entertaining and offers some good nature imagery, but otherwise not a very memorable experience.
February 18, 2018
No hay que engañarse, pues se trata de cuentitos infantiles pero todos son simplemente maravillosos. Mi favorito es el de los tres hermanos y después de la Vía Láctea. Necesito más literatura japonesa en mi vida.
August 10, 2021
First half is one story. The rest are short stories. A little supernatural. A little boring for me personally.
May 6, 2012
There are a number of translations of Kenji Miyazawa's beloved masterpiece out on the market right now: some more highly regarded than others. This version in particular seemed to be regarded as one of the better translations of this work and was also relatively accessible. I finally found a copy of this one and gave it a read.
Even though people criticized the other translation of this novel this one still had its shortcomings. One important thing to bring to light here is that this was published by Kodansha in Japan as a sort of study book for Japanese speakers to learn English through readings. In the back of the novel there were accompanying notes for some phrases used in translations. This wasn't bad at all, but I felt that at the same time the book was translated more for learning the English language than to be a well suited interpretation. There were some sentences that sounded awkward and choppy.
The other stories included were much appreciated, though. There are few stories by Miyazawa readily available in English and the convenience of having a few bundled with Night Train to the Stars makes this a worthwhile book to track down even with the weak translation of the main story.
I have no quips about the original content itself of course, I just feel that there are a couple of translations for this one out and people ought to have a second opinion on this particular version.
Even though people criticized the other translation of this novel this one still had its shortcomings. One important thing to bring to light here is that this was published by Kodansha in Japan as a sort of study book for Japanese speakers to learn English through readings. In the back of the novel there were accompanying notes for some phrases used in translations. This wasn't bad at all, but I felt that at the same time the book was translated more for learning the English language than to be a well suited interpretation. There were some sentences that sounded awkward and choppy.
The other stories included were much appreciated, though. There are few stories by Miyazawa readily available in English and the convenience of having a few bundled with Night Train to the Stars makes this a worthwhile book to track down even with the weak translation of the main story.
I have no quips about the original content itself of course, I just feel that there are a couple of translations for this one out and people ought to have a second opinion on this particular version.
November 11, 2009
Speaking of Miyazawa's short stories generally: Wonderful, peculiar, slightly magical stories about humans and nature. Can be read as children's stories or straight-up awesome lit with no apologies. Miyazawa should be much more widely known and read and loved. It's a terrible shame that they aren't more readily available in English.
February 15, 2013
"The Earthgod and the Fox" made me cry. O.O
August 1, 2013
¡Genial! :D
March 5, 2022
An infuriating version that dispenses with flow in the English version in favour of a literalism in the translation from Japanese to English that is at times indecipherable.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews