Born the eldest son of a merchant family in Hanamaki, Iwate.
He finished Morioka Middle School and was deeply moved on reading the Lotus Sutra.
He entered Morioka Higher School of Agriculture and Forestry, studying farming and geology.
In Tokyo he wrote many children's stories, then returned home to teach at an agricultural school.
His beloved sister Toshi died, and he poured his grief into the poem "Morning of the Last Farewell".
He published at his own expense the poetry collection Spring and Asura and the story collection The Restaurant of Many Orders.
Leaving teaching, he founded the Rasu Chijin Kyōkai, teaching farmers agriculture and the arts.
Struck down by illness, he wrote "Ame ni mo makezu" (Unbeaten by Rain) in a notebook.
He died in Hanamaki. Many of his works, such as Night on the Galactic Railroad, became widely known after his death.
Kikuchi KanKagawa ToyohikoKishida RyūseiKanakuri ShisōAkutagawa RyūnosukeIchikawa FusaeItō NoeKaneko Misuzu
People of the Taishō period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.