Hori Tatsuo
Encyclopedia
was a writer
, poet
, and translator
in Showa period
Japan
.
, and was a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University. While still a student, he contributed translations of modern French poets to a literary journal called Roba, which was sponsored by poet Murō Saisei
. He regarded himself as a disciple of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
, but his early works exhibit an attraction to the proletarian literary movement as viewed by his friends Nagai Tatsuo
and Kobayashi Hideo
. His later works reflect a movement towards modernism
.
in Nagano Prefecture
, and are characterized by the melancholic theme of death, which reflect his own ongoing battle with tuberculosis
. Often plotless and impressionistic, his style was praised by Kawabata Yasunari.
Hori wrote Yamatoji, a small sentimental collection of poetic essays about Nara
and its historic sites. This was followed by Adashino, a tragic romance set in the Nara period
. His beautiful descriptions of Nara and the world of the ancient capital have popularized by the tourist authorities in that city. Karuizawa
, Nagano prefecture
, where Hori stayed during his illness has erected a Hori Tatsuo Memorial Museum in his honor. His grave is at the Tama Reien, in the outskirts of Tokyo.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, and translator
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
in Showa period
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Early life
Hori was born in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and was a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University. While still a student, he contributed translations of modern French poets to a literary journal called Roba, which was sponsored by poet Murō Saisei
Muro Saisei
was a famous poet and novelit in modern Japanese literature from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture.-Early life:His real name was Murō Terumichi. Born in 1889, he was given birth by his mother Haru, who was never formally married to his father, Kobata Yozaemon-kichidane, a low-ranked military commander...
. He regarded himself as a disciple of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
Ryunosuke Akutagawa
was a Japanese writer active in the Taishō period in Japan. He is regarded as the "Father of the Japanese short story". He committed suicide at age of 35 through an overdose of barbital.-Early life:...
, but his early works exhibit an attraction to the proletarian literary movement as viewed by his friends Nagai Tatsuo
Nagai Tatsuo
was a writer of short stories and haiku poetry active in the Shōwa period Japan, known for his portrayals of city life. Nagai was also known as a haiku poet under the pen-name of "Tomonkyo".-Early life:...
and Kobayashi Hideo
Kobayashi Hideo
was a Japanese author, who established literary criticism as an independent art form in Japan.-Early life:Kobayashi was born in the Kanda district of Tokyo. He studied French literature at Tokyo Imperial University and graduated in 1927...
. His later works reflect a movement towards modernism
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
.
Literary career
Hori wrote a number of novelettes and poems, which are set in atmospheric locations, such as mountain sanatoriumSanatorium
A sanatorium is a medical facility for long-term illness, most typically associated with treatment of tuberculosis before antibiotics...
in Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, and are characterized by the melancholic theme of death, which reflect his own ongoing battle with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. Often plotless and impressionistic, his style was praised by Kawabata Yasunari.
Hori wrote Yamatoji, a small sentimental collection of poetic essays about Nara
Nara Prefecture
is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....
and its historic sites. This was followed by Adashino, a tragic romance set in the Nara period
Nara period
The of the history of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. Empress Gemmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō . Except for 5 years , when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capital of Japanese civilization until Emperor Kammu established a new capital, Nagaoka-kyō, in 784...
. His beautiful descriptions of Nara and the world of the ancient capital have popularized by the tourist authorities in that city. Karuizawa
Karuizawa, Nagano
is a town located in Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan.As of January 1, 2008, the town has an estimated population of 17,833 and has a total area of ....
, Nagano prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, where Hori stayed during his illness has erected a Hori Tatsuo Memorial Museum in his honor. His grave is at the Tama Reien, in the outskirts of Tokyo.
Major works
- Sei Kazoku
- Utsukushii Mura
- Kaze Tachinu
- Kagerou no Nikki
- Naoko
- Arano
- Younen Jidai
External links
- e-texts of works at Aozora BunkoAozora BunkoAozora Bunko is a Japanese digital library. This online collection encompasses several thousands of works of Japanese-language fiction and non-fiction. These include out-of-copyright books or works that the authors wish to make freely available....
- Hori Tatuo Memorial Museum, Kazuizawa, (Japanese site)