index

Part 2: Modern era

Chapter 9: Writers 3. Literary figures active during the Taisho era

YOSANO Akiko, 1878-1942

Yosano was a poet. She published her tanka in Myojo (lit. Bright Star) that Yosano Tekkan started. Her first poems, Midaregami (Tangled hair) which were written in a bold and free-spirited manner produced a sensation. She is also known for her modern translation of Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji). She married Tekkan and raised 11 children.

144 Yosano Akiko shokan, March 28, 1927 [Tsurumi Yusuke Papers (Letters): 1111-1]

This is a letter which shows an aspect of Akiko being a mother. When her 26-year-old son (later Yosano Hikaru, M.D.) living in Ogikubo became sick, Akiko, living in Fujimi-cho, Kojimachi Ward, went all the way to his place and took care of him. She apologizes to Tsurumi for being rude on that day. Tsurumi Yusuke was a son-in-law of Goto Shinpei. After resigning from the Ministry of Railways, Tsurumi devoted himself to writing and giving speeches. He later became a member of the House of Representatives.

与謝野晶子書簡

AKUTAGAWA Ryunosuke, 1892-1927

A novelist. He studied under Natsume Soseki from around the end of 1915. Hana (lit. The nose) which was published the following year was highly commended by Soseki, and Akutagawa became recognized in the literary world. His representative works include Rashomon and Kappa. He committed suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills in 1927. His death brought a great shock to society.

145 Hokyonin no shi, 1918 [本別3-92]

An autograph manuscript by Akutagawa. It was shown in the Mita bungaku issued on September 1918. It is one of his works with theme of Christians and his representative history novel. The story is about an orphan named "Roran" (changed to "Rorenzo" when it was published as a book) who was raised in a church in Nagasaki. He suffers misunderstandings and persecution, and dies a martyr in a great fire.

ISHIKAWA Takuboku, 1886–1912

Takuboku was a poet and tanka writer. His real name was Hajime. He began as a poet of the Myojo school and later turned to tanka poetry. In 1910, he published his first poetry collection Ichiaku no suna (lit. A Fistful of Sand), which featured tanka written in a three-line format. The High Treason Incident that year led him to embrace socialism. Throughout his life, he struggled with poverty and frequently relied on his friends for support. He contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and died at the age of 27.

146 Ishikawa Takuboku shokan, June 15, 1908 [本別3-84]

A letter addressed to novelist and critic Goto Chugai, who at that time was chief editor of the magazine Shin shosetsu, under the publishing house Shun'yodo. In April 1908, Takuboku had moved to Tokyo alone to devote himself to novel writing. The novel he wrote over a short period was purchased by Shun'yodo through the introduction of Mori Ogai. However, because the payment for his writing would only be made after the magazine's publication, he soon found himself unable to pay even his lodging fees. In this letter, he expresses his resolve to move to Tokyo, thanks Goto for accepting his manuscript, and pleads for an advance on the payment. Takuboku was not paid for the manuscript until February of the following year, during which he continued writing with the financial help from his close friend Kindaichi Kyosuke.

石川啄木書簡

（封筒）

TANIZAKI Jun'ichiro, 1886-1965

Tanizaki was a novelist. He appeared in the literary world as a member of the second Shin shicho. His works were called "diabolism" for these decadent sense of beauty. After moving to the Kansai area due to the Great Kanto Earthquake, his interest in classic culture increased and he changed his writing style. He continued to write great works and published until his later years. His representative works include Shunkin sho (The story of Shunkin) and Sasameyuki (The Makioka sisters).

147 Futari no chigo, 1918 [本別3-82]

This is an autograph manuscript by Tanizaki. It was carried by the Chuo koron in April 1918. Rurikomaru and Senjumaru were sent to Enryaku-ji temple at Mt. Hiei and were raised like brothers. When they grew up, they were harassed by earthly desires, especially the desire to see woman. The book is about the good and evil, abstinence and the pleasure of human beings. Tanizaki lost his mother the year before he wrote this book. The "Nyonin (woman)" who appears in the last part of the story is said to represent the memory of his mother. There are many detailed changes on this manuscript which show Tanizaki's obsessiveness about his writing.

二人の稚兒

TOKUDA Shusei, 1871–1943

A novelist. A disciple of Ozaki Koyo, Tokuda began publishing under his mentorship. After Koyo's death, he rose to prominence during the rise of the naturalist movement with works such as Kabi (lit. Mold) and Arakure and became one of the central figures of that movement. He also produced numerous works of popular fiction. Tokuda's final novel Shukuzu (lit. Microcosm), was set in the world of geisha, but Tokuda died before completing it after its serialization was suspended under wartime press censorship.

148 Aru baishofu no hanashi, [1920] [本別3-70]

An autograph manuscript. It is a short story rendered in a subdued writing style with an ironic twist at the end published in the April 1920 issue of Chuo koron. The manuscript bears numerous revisions and alterations to parts of the title itself. Extensive marginal notes suggest that Tokuda was revising the manuscript almost immediately after writing it.