Rainy Season
We are in the rainy season now. It is caused by the collision of cold air from the north, and warm air from the south. This causes a stalled stationary front over Japan for more than a month. It doesn’t rain all the time in this season, but we have hot and very humid weather. The rainy season starts a month earlier in Okinawa than in the main island, but Hokkaido has no rainy season.
I don’t like the rainy season. It makes my hair messy and it’s annoying to commute in the rain - but I like the sound of rain at night. It’s nice to go to sleep to the sound of water drumming on the roof. It’s a natural healing music.
Why don’t we call it nice weather when rain has a healing effect? It’s the water of life and blessed rain as well!
On the other hand, sometimes it brings floods, landslides and other disasters. But we have always lived with nature.
Rain reminds me of the first line of the famous Japanese poem; Ame ni mo makezu.
I don’t like the rainy season. It makes my hair messy and it’s annoying to commute in the rain - but I like the sound of rain at night. It’s nice to go to sleep to the sound of water drumming on the roof. It’s a natural healing music.
Why don’t we call it nice weather when rain has a healing effect? It’s the water of life and blessed rain as well!
On the other hand, sometimes it brings floods, landslides and other disasters. But we have always lived with nature.
Rain reminds me of the first line of the famous Japanese poem; Ame ni mo makezu.
Ame ni mo makezu (Be not Defeated by the Rain)
Written by Kenji Miyazawa / Translated by David Sulz
Be not defeated by the rain, Nor let the wind prove your better.
Succumb not to the snows of winter. Nor be bested by the heat of summer.
Be strong in body. Unfettered by desire. Not enticed to anger. Cultivate a quiet joy.
Count yourself last in everything. Put others before you.
Watch well and listen closely. Hold the learned lessons dear.A thatch-roof house, in a meadow, nestled in a pine grove’s shade.
A handful of rice, some miso, and a few vegetables to suffice for the day.If, to the East, a child lies sick: Go forth and nurse him to health.
If, to the West, an old lady stands exhausted: Go forth, and relieve her of burden.
If, to the South, a man lies dying: Go forth with words of courage to dispel his fear.
If, to the North, an argument or fight ensues: Go forth and beg them stop such a waste of effort and of spirit.In times of drought, shed tears of sympathy.
In summers cold, walk in concern and empathy.
Stand aloof of the unknowing masses: Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a “Great Man”.This is my goal, the person I strive to become.
