Sad Toys

Biography

Ishikawa Takuboku

石川啄木
1886−1912

Ishikawa Takuboku, pseudonym of Ishikawa Hajime (born Oct. 28, 1886, Hinoto, Iwate prefecture, Japan—died April 13, 1912, Tokyo) Japanese poet, a master of tanka, a traditional Japanese verse form, whose works enjoyed immediate popularity for their freshness and startling imagery.

Although Takuboku failed to complete his education, through reading he acquired surprising familiarity with both Japanese and Western literature. He published his first collection of poetry, Akogare (“Yearning”), in 1905. In 1908 he settled in Tokyo, where, after associating with poets of the romantic Myōjō group, he gradually shifted toward naturalism and eventually turned to politically oriented writing.

In 1910 his first important collection, Ichiaku no suna (A Handful of Sand), appeared. The 551 poems were written in the traditional tanka form but were expressed in vivid, untraditional language. The tanka acquired with Takuboku an intellectual, often cynical, content, though he is also noted for the deeply personal tone of his poetry.

In Tokyo he earned his living as a proofreader and poetry editor of the Asahi newspaper, enduring financial hardship occasioned partly by his own improvidence. His life during this period is unforgettably described in his diaries, particularly Rōmaji nikki (first published in full in 1954; “Romaji Diary”). In this diary, which he wrote in Roman letters so that his wife could not read it, Takuboku recorded with overpowering honesty his complex emotional and intellectual life.

He also published fiction; but, despite its flashes of brilliance, it fails to match his poetry. A collection of poems in nontraditional forms, Yobiko to Kuchibue (1912; “Whistle and Flute”), shows some influence of anarchistic and socialistic thought. He died of chronic illness complicated by malnutrition, leaving the posthumous collection Kanashiki gangu (1912; A Sad Toy).

©2016 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Timeline

• 1886 - Born at Joko Temple, Hinoto-mura (presently named Hinoto, Tamayama-mura), Minami-Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture, to Ittei, the father, who was the priest of the temple, and Katsu, the mother.
• 1887 - Moved to Shibutami-mura (presently named Shibutami, Tamayama-mura)
• 1891 - Attended Shibutami Elementary School (4 years)
• 1895 - Attended Morioka Upper Elementary School (2 years)
• 1898 - Attended Morioka Middle School
• 1899 - Published literary booklet “Choji-kai”, printed by hand with method called hectograph
• 1900 - Formed self-study group “Union Club” in order to learn English. First and second issues of “Choji Magazine” were published. Fell in love with Setsuko Horiai who was a student at Morioka Girls’ Middle School.
• 1901 - Published the third issue of “Mikazuki” (crescent moon), a magazine for circulating, and the first issue of “Nigitama.” His tankas appeared on Iwate Nippo (news paper) under the pen name of “Suiko”, the first public appearance of his works.
• 1902 - His tankas appeared on “Myōjō”, a literary magazine, under the pen name of “Hakuhin”. Dropped out of Morioka Middle School because of his aspiration for literature. Went to Tokyo and made the acquaintances of Tekkan Yosano|Tekkan and Akiko Yosano.
• 1903 - Went home to Shibutami. Serial articles “Ideas of Wagner” appeared on Iwate Nippo. Poem ”Shucho” (sorrowful melodies) was appeared on “Myōjō”. The pen name of “Takuboku” was used for the first time. In November, joined the circle of poets “Shinshisha”.
• 1904 - Serial articles “Senun Yoroku” (personal memorandum of war time) appeared on Iwate Nippo. This was right after the outbreak of Russo-Japanese War.
• 1905 - The first collection of poems “Akogare” (admiration) was published by Odajima Shobo. Got married to HORIAI Setsuko. Published literary magazine “Sho-Tenchi” (small world).
• 1906 - Became a substitute teacher at Shibutami Upper Elementary School. Novel “Kumo wa Tensai dearu” (the clouds are geniuses) was written, which was never published during his lifetime. Novel “Soretsu” (funeral procession) appeared on literary magazine “Myōjō” (December issue of 1906).
• 1907 - Became a substitute teacher at Hakodate Yayoi Elementary School, and a freelance reporter at Hakodate Nichinichi Shinbun (news paper). There at the Hakodate Yayoi Elementary School, he met Chieko Tachibana, who he was instantly awestruck by her beauty. Although Takuboku only encountered Chieko in person twice, she left a lasting impression on him, and 22 of the tanka written in "Wasuregataki-Hitobito" in "Ichiaku-no-Suna" were written about Chieko Tachibana. Later despite efforts to visit Chieko in her home in Sapporo, to pursue courtship, he had learned from her father that she had recently been married. Because of the great fire in Hakodate, he lost both jobs and left Hakodate. Employed at places like Hokumon Shinpo or Otaru Nippo (publishers of news paper)
• 1908 - Employed at Kushiro Shinbun (news paper), wrote “Benifude-dayori”. Moved to Hongo, Tokyo in spring.
• 1909 - Employed at Asahi Shinbun as a proof reader. Issued literary magazine “Subaru” as a publisher.
• 1910 - First collection of tankas “Ichiaku-no-Suna” (a fistful of sand) was published by Shinonome-do Shoten.
• 1911 - Moved to Koishikawa because of health reasons.
• 1912 - In March, his mother Katsu died. He himself died of tuberculosis on April 13, being looked after by his friend Bokusui Wakayama and his wife Setsuko, at age of 27. After his death, his second collection of tankas “Kanashiki Gangu” (grieving toys) was published by Shinonome-do Shoten.

Takuboku Ishikawa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia