In Memory of Tanikawa Shuntaro

Tanikawa Shuntaro, a leading postwar poet of international renown, passed away on November 13, 2024.

Mr. Tanikawa’s rhythmic poems, composed using the simple words of everyday life, have been translated into dozens of languages—English, Chinese, French, and German foremost among them. With more than 50 published volumes of collected poems to his name, many read widely overseas, it is no exaggeration to say that he contributed greatly to the promotion of international understanding. Indeed this legacy was recognized in 2019 when it was our honor to bestow the Japan Foundation Award for his many accomplishments.

In an interview he gave upon receipt of that accolade, Mr. Tanikawa expressed his pleasure at the reach of his work, saying “I couldn’t be happier that people around the world have found my poems through translation. This encourages me to continue writing poetry in Japanese.”

Since 1984, when Mr. Tanikawa first collaborated with the Japan Foundation on a short visit to the United States to give lectures and public reading, he continued to share his gifts with us in occasions created for international exchange through poetry and music. Though it is only the smallest of gestures, we are honoring his memory this month with a display of his writings in translation, along with some treasured words that he left us with. Do stop by should you visit our library before the end of the year on December 27.

Place: Japan Foundation Library, Tokyo Headquarters, 1st Floor