What's SAKAI

Photograph: Bunka Gakuin

Born into the famous Surugaya confectionery family in Kaino-cho, Sakai in 1878, Akiko was a composer of tanka (31-syllable-verse) through the Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods.
Dubbed the "Poetess of Passion," she was one of the leading figures in the history of modern literature. Akiko was the wife of Tekkan Yosano, who was also a writer. She was also the mother of 11 children.

Her "Midare-gami" was published in 1901, sung of her boundless love for her husband and the fresh feelings of youth. It was highly popular among the younger generation and is considered a masterpiece of Romanticism. As a devoted student of literature, she dedicated herself throughout her life to translating such classics as "the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji)" into modern Japanese. She also wrote countless essays on women's right and played an active role in advancing women's education.

As a pioneer in the struggle for the liberation of women, and a fearless activist in a wide variety of fields, Akiko's accomplishments seem endless.

Part of the original manuscript from
Yosano Akiko's novel Akarumie.