MIYOSHI TATSUJI

(1900–1964)

   Miyoshi Tatsuji was a poet, literary critic, and editor known for his lengthy free verse poetry. Born in Osaka, Miyoshi attended Tokyo University and studied French literature, subsequently translating the complete works of Baudelaire. Miyoshi also joined with Kajii Motojiro and others to publish the literary journal Aozora (Blue Sky) in 1930. This allowed him a forum in which to publish his poems, many of which were critically acclaimed. Miyoshi also published his first free verse anthology, Sokuryo sen (The Surveying Ship, 1930), which established his reputation for incorporating classical themes into his free verse poems. In all, Miyoshi published over 16 poetry anthologies, eight free form essays, and four works of literary criticism. In 2004, the city of Osaka established the Miyoshi Tasuji Award for the best nationally published poetry anthology.