更新日：2010年7月5日

Yoshii Isamu

Yoshii Isamu, tanka poet and playwright, was born in Tokyo in 1886. He dropped out of Waseda University and joined the Tokyo Shin-shi Sha (Tokyo New Poetry Society) in 1905 and published his tanka verses in the society’s magazine, Myojo (Morning Star). Later he left the society to form a new group, Pan no Kai, with Kitahara Hakushu and became known for his wide contribution to the aesthetic movement in literature. In 1909, under the patronage of Mori Ogai, Yoshii brought out a new magazine, Subaru, with Ishikawa Takuboku and was responsible for the editorial side. The following year, he published his first collection of tanka, "Sake hogai," describing the joys and sorrows of drinking and sexual desire. This established his name firmly in tanka circles and was followed by other anthologies such as "Sakujitsu made" (Until yesterday), "Gion kashu" (Gion verses), and "Ningen kyo."

Yoshii was also drawn to the Shingeki (new theater) movement and published his play "Gogo Sanji" (3 pm) in Subaru, marking his debut as a playwright. This was followed in quick succession by pieces such as "Yumesuke to So to" (Yumesuke and the monk). And "Kyo-geinin" (Comic artist). Although composing tanka remained his main concern, his writing also extended to other genres-plays, fiction, essays and songs. In 1948, he was appointed to be a selector for the Imperial Household’s New Year poetry reading. He died in 1960 at the age of 74.

Yoshii began to live at his father’s cottage in Zaimokuza from 1887 and entered the elementary section of the Kamakura Normal School in 1891. The following year the family moved to Tokyo, but for the rest of his life, he returned to Kamakura frequently to recuperate from bouts of ill health.