Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
Tributes Pour in for Shuntaro Tanikawa, Renowned Japanese Poet
Shuntaro Tanikawa, a celebrated figure in modern Japanese poetry known for his unique and approachable style, has passed away at the age of 92. His son, Kensaku Tanikawa, confirmed that his father died on November 13 at a hospital in Tokyo due to natural causes associated with old age.
Tanikawa made waves in the literary landscape with his groundbreaking 1952 debut, Two Billion Light Years of Solitude. This work presented readers with a fresh interpretation of the cosmic elements interwoven with daily life, characterized by its sensual imagery and simplicity in language. The book resonated with audiences, achieving bestseller status even before Gabriel García Márquez published One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Among his notable works is Kotoba Asobi Uta or Word Play Songs, a playful exploration of phonetics that cleverly merges words with similar sounds. It showcases Tanikawa’s skill in creating joyful and rhythmic poetry, replete with alliterations and onomatopoeia, inviting readers to engage with the sounds of language.
In a 2022 interview, Tanikawa reflected on the significance of the Japanese language in his writing, stating, “For me, the Japanese language is the ground. Like a plant, I place my roots, drink in the nutrients of the Japanese language, sprouting leaves, flowers and bearing fruit.” This metaphor illustrates his belief in the profound connection between language and poetic expression.
Exploring the subtleties of the poetic form, Tanikawa often found beauty in the mundane, evident in titles such as “I wanted to talk to you in the kitchen in the middle of the night.” He remarked on the evolution of his writing, expressing joy in the freedom of creating on his own terms rather than meeting external expectations.
Beyond his original work, Tanikawa translated various children’s literature from Western authors such as Mother Goose and Maurice Sendak, ensuring his poetic influence reached an international audience. His own writings have been translated into multiple languages, including English and Chinese. Additionally, many of his poems have been adapted into children’s picture books and often appear in Japanese school curricula.
The Poetry Foundation recognizes Tanikawa’s contributions, noting that his poetry encapsulates a metaphysical perspective, using clear and concise language to convey deep emotional truths. His background, as the son of philosopher Tetsuzo Tanikawa, significantly shaped his literary journey; he began composing poetry in his adolescence, mingling with key figures of his time like Makoto Ooka and Shuji Terayama.
While Tanikawa became a prominent figure in contemporary poetry, he maintained a down-to-earth demeanor, often participating in public readings alongside fellow poets. Despite his success, he clearly expressed a certain regret over not completing his formal education after achieving fame at a young age.
His innovative approach to free verse set him apart from the more conventional styles prevalent in post-war Japan, allowing him to redefine contemporary Japanese poetics. Tanikawa’s thoughts on mortality revealed his introspective nature; he expressed curiosity about the afterlife, stating, “I am more curious about where I will go when I die… I just want to die, all of a sudden.”
Shuntaro Tanikawa is survived by his son Kensaku, daughter Shino, and several grandchildren. Family and friends attended private funeral services, with a public farewell event in the works, as announced by Kensaku Tanikawa. Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Kensaku shared, “As they did with all of you, Shuntaro’s poems stunned and moved me, making me chuckle or shed a tear. Wasn’t it all so fun? His poems are with you forever.”
Source
www.theguardian.com