Great Construction

Foreword

     Recently there appeared from amongst the older volumes in my library several thousand poems that I composed during the five-year period from 1931 to 1935. I had completely forgotten about most of them, not even realizing they were mine. Still, it seemed a pity to throw them away. Thus, after sifting and selecting along with a certain amount of revising, a volume of poetry is being published.
     I have not formally studied poetry composition. But I do like poetry and over the long years have read a few books on the subject, so it would be fair to call me an amateur. Poetry in the classical style of the Nara and Heian periods is too difficult for contemporary people to understand, and yet it is regrettable that modern poetry is too influenced by any trend that happens to come along. Trying hard to be realistic, it lacks character, and because it is not even concerned with the spirit of the language, it is simply a shiny object. Modern poetry is not convincing; it does speak to the heart. This is my position on poetry, from which I have attempted to manifest my individuality. Whether I have done so or not, I leave to the judgment of my readers.

Akemaro,
My humble abode in Atami,
October 1949

Landscapes
December 23, 1949
translated by cynndd