The First Modern Japanese

The Life of Ishikawa Takuboku

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Poetry History & Criticism, Nonfiction, History, Asian, Japan, Biography & Memoir, Literary
Cover of the book The First Modern Japanese by Donald Keene, Columbia University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Donald Keene ISBN: 9780231542234
Publisher: Columbia University Press Publication: September 27, 2016
Imprint: Columbia University Press Language: English
Author: Donald Keene
ISBN: 9780231542234
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication: September 27, 2016
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Language: English

Many books in Japanese have been devoted to the poet and critic Ishikawa Takuboku (1886–1912). Although he died at the age of twenty-six and wrote many of his best-known poems in the space of a few years, his name is familiar to every literate Japanese. Takuboku's early death added to the sad romance of the unhappy poet, but there has been no satisfactory biography of his life or career, even in Japanese, and only a small part of his writings have been translated. His mature poetry was based on the work of no predecessor, and he left no disciples. Takuboku stands unique.

Takuboku's most popular poems, especially those with a humorous overlay, are often read and memorized, but his diaries and letters, though less familiar, contain rich and vivid glimpses of the poet's thoughts and experiences. They reflect the outlook of an unconstrained man who at times behaved in a startling or even shocking manner. Despite his misdemeanors, Takuboku is regarded as a national poet, all but a saint to his admirers, especially in the regions of Japan where he lived. His refusal to conform to the Japan of the time drove him in striking directions and ranked him as the first poet of the new Japan.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Many books in Japanese have been devoted to the poet and critic Ishikawa Takuboku (1886–1912). Although he died at the age of twenty-six and wrote many of his best-known poems in the space of a few years, his name is familiar to every literate Japanese. Takuboku's early death added to the sad romance of the unhappy poet, but there has been no satisfactory biography of his life or career, even in Japanese, and only a small part of his writings have been translated. His mature poetry was based on the work of no predecessor, and he left no disciples. Takuboku stands unique.

Takuboku's most popular poems, especially those with a humorous overlay, are often read and memorized, but his diaries and letters, though less familiar, contain rich and vivid glimpses of the poet's thoughts and experiences. They reflect the outlook of an unconstrained man who at times behaved in a startling or even shocking manner. Despite his misdemeanors, Takuboku is regarded as a national poet, all but a saint to his admirers, especially in the regions of Japan where he lived. His refusal to conform to the Japan of the time drove him in striking directions and ranked him as the first poet of the new Japan.

More books from Columbia University Press

Cover of the book Community Economic Development in Social Work by Donald Keene
Cover of the book The Tales of the Heike by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Journalistic Authority by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Postcolonial Melancholia by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Biological Weapons by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Race and the Genetic Revolution by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Social Construction and Social Work Practice by Donald Keene
Cover of the book The Bhāgavata Purāna by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Friendship Reconsidered by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Kinship and Killing by Donald Keene
Cover of the book An All-Consuming Century by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Our Broad Present by Donald Keene
Cover of the book The Republic in Print by Donald Keene
Cover of the book The Islamic Context of The Thousand and One Nights by Donald Keene
Cover of the book Zero and Other Fictions by Donald Keene
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy