*anese poet and literary critic (1888–1959)

Ryuko Kawaji (川路 柳虹, Kawaji Ryūkō, 1 October 1888 - 9 June 1959) was the pen-name of Kawaki Makoto, a *anese poet and literary critic active during the Shōwa period of *an.

His Dharma name was Onyōin Metsuyo Chitoku Ryūkō Daikoji (温容院滅与知徳柳虹大居士).

Biography

Kawaji was born in Tokyo, and was a graduate of the *anese Painting School of the Tokyo School of the Arts (present day Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music). However, rather than to pursue a career as an artist, he chose to become a writer of free verse poetry instead. His poetry was influential, as it was among the first to be written in the modern *anese language.

He won the *an Art Academy literary award in 1957 for his anthology Nami ("Waves").

He was co-author of "Histoire de la Littérature *onaise", written in collaboration with K. Matsuo and Alfred Smoular (Paris, 1935). His grave is at the Tama Reien outside of Tokyo.

See also

• List of *anese authors
• Hirato Renkichi

References