Hiroaki Sato - Japanese Female Poets in the Spotlight

Hiroaki Sato, the world famous translator of Japanese poetry and literature, recently presented to a group I belong to in New York, Nichibei Exchange, on one of his most recent translated works, Japanese Women Poets:  An Anthology (published by M.E Sharpe). It is a major compilation of poetry produced by Japanese women over the past fourteen centuries.  

This anthology presents examples of the work of more than 100 Japanese women poets, arranged chronologically, and of all the major verse forms including: choka, tanka, haiku, and free verse.
Sato-san provided us with spirited readings from several of the female poets he covered in the book both in Japanese and in English. I was called upon in the session to read one of the poems from the book and although not a big fan of poetry, was able to appreciate the lyrically beautiful prose and emotions behind them. 

This gave me insight into not only poetry but of the Japanese female voice struggling through the centuries to describe the thematic cores of Japanese life such as seasonal changes, the splendor and tragedy of love, the devastations of war, childbirth, conflicts between child-rearing and work, as well as experiences of non-Japanese residents in Japan, and more.

Students and anyone who appreciates poetry and Japanese culture will find this a wonderful journey through the times and stories of Japanese female creativity and artistic development.
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Hiroaki Sato is a translator and essayist who recently celebrated 40 years living in New York. I thank him for allowing me to write this brief little blurb about him and his work. I could write about him forever due to his vast expertise and varied experience.

If you happen to be in Tokyo on May 24th and love Japanese poetry, he will be presenting on this book at Meijigakuin University. If you are able, try to get a seat at what promises to be a very entertaining and informative presentation.

Comments

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Hiroaki Sato is admired greatly here in Singapore for his poetry and translation.