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.

Naturally death is a theme in this journey to heaven. The theme begins early in the story with the excavation of fossils at the Pliocene Seashore, perhaps even earlier with the reference to “ the big crab shell and reindeer antlers” (29) that were a gift from Giovanni’s absent father. It continues with the death of animals: the birds caught by the bird catcher, the bird killed by the American Indian in “From the New World,” and the death of the scorpion. 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. 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.

This story was never published during the life of its author. Different versions exist, the usually published or translated, the latest. In the translation I have read, however, excerpts from a previous version are also provided, which I found quite suggestive, because they give a better view on the intention of the author, although he evidently decided to simplify the story by deleting most of the "preaching". This book is also heavily mentioned and referenced in the anime Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora ( Looking Up at the Half-Moon), as a book that Akiba Rika's father gave to her. In the eroge Wagamama High Spec, a play based on the book is written and performed by characters of the game. Strong’s translation choices ~ “ the real heaven,” “ the divine will,” and “ forever” ~ better convey the religious message of the story than Sigrist and Stroud’s choices. In this fable, which has the quality of a jataka tale, the scorpion makes a bodhisattva vow and becomes a fire to light the darkness. With the Bird Catcher, Giovanni feels the first stirring of the compassion that will inspire his own bodhisattva vow.

Playwright Sō Kitamura made the story into a drama titled Sōkō: Night on the Galactic Railroad ( 想稿・銀河鉄道の夜). Note that 想稿 could be a play on the word sōkō ( 草稿, "rough draft") and the character 想 ( sō) carrying meanings such as "conception" or "idea". Premièred in 1986, the play was performed by Kitamura's theatrical company Project Navi. [8] Fantasy Railroad in the Stars (銀河鉄道の夜) by Kagaya Yutaka (DVD, 2007) latter is screened in planetariums. The DVD features the story of a boy dreaming of travelling by train through the Milky Way, and the story is narrated by the voice actress Kuwashima Houko. 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. As a Buddhist, Kenji was a vegetarian. If only birds were made of cake, it would not be a sin to eat them. But they are not made of cake, and so Kenji’s protagonist feels great sympathy for the bird catcher whose profession requires him to take life.There is one obvious symbol of Christianity in this chapter and, I believe, another subtler one. The obvious one is the apples the lighthouse keeper gives to the children. As a Christian symbol, the apple represents the Garden of Eden. Moreover, the apple is also the perfect food, clearly prized by Kenji the agricultural scientist and vegetarian. The subtler symbol is the roses. Kenji had some knowledge of Christianity, so it is possible that he was aware of the rose as a symbol of the Blessed Virgin. 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. Throughout the novel Kenji uses scientific vocabulary: “ locomotive,” “ compass,” “ watch repair shop,” “ neon light,” and “ phosphorescence,” to mention only a handful. In “Home,” Giovanni expresses pride in “ the big crab shell and the reindeer antlers” his father donated to the school (29). In “Northern Cross and Pliocene Seashore,” Giovanni and Campanella meet a paleontologist looking for fossils. 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. The vast emptiness of space is reminiscent of the Buddhist concept of Sunyata ~ the true nature of reality. The train that crosses this vast emptiness is the vehicle ( yana) that transports one to heaven.