Tachihara Michizô
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese poet
and architect
. He died at age 24 from tuberculosis
, before either career could seriously get under way. Michizō struggled to find a way for an urban
poet to root himself in traditional customs and still be "modern."
Though a citizen of Tokyo
, Michizō would rarely mention modern urban scenes in his work. Aside from several references to cars, Michizō chose to describe a vegetable, not a mineral realm. He described trains as vehicles of escape or fate in which they cart people away or carry him to new experiences that may rescue him from being cooped up in his architectural office.
The natural landscapes of the Shinano
Highlands provided an endless parade of conventional imagery that Michizō would use in his work; such as birds, clouds, flowers, grasses, mountains, skies, trees, and wind. A sizable part of his poetry used poetic impulse, often causing his work to be labelled as "sentimental". He wrote openly about his feelings and expressed what was in his heart, allowing his verse to be both uncontaminated and genuine.
. In 1927, Michizō entered Morioka Third High School
where he joined the Painting Club, which taught him the use of pastel crayons. He also joined the Magazine Club which instructed him in how to submit manuscripts for publication. By 1929 the The Alumni Bulletin had printed 11 tanka and some of his drawings would win the silver medal in a student exhibition.
Michizō tested out of the fifth year of high school and directly entered college choosing to study science; which required English
. He joined the Literary Club and shifted from using tanka to free verse
in his poetry. Michizō also began reading the German poet Rilke as well as French poets Valéry
and Baudelaire.
Michizō graduated from First College in 1934 and entered the Imperial University
, a three-year course of study, as an architecture
major. At the university, he won the annual prize for the best project or design by an architectural undergraduate three years in a row and was also asked by five different literary journals to submit works. Upon graduation, he was hired by Ishimoto Architects; however, he disliked his job where he felt cooped up and creatively hemmed in with no control over his conceptions.
and Nagasaki. In December 1938 he arrives in Nagasaki exhausted; admitted himself to a hospital where he began coughing up a huge amounts of blood. He returned to Tokyo where doctors order continual rest; however, Tuberculosis
had already began to affect other vital organs. Enters a Tokyo sanatorium
. On March 29, 1939 his illness had completely taken over and he died.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He died at age 24 from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, before either career could seriously get under way. Michizō struggled to find a way for an urban
Urban culture
Urban culture is the culture of towns and cities. In the United States, Urban culture may also sometimes be used as a euphemistic reference to contemporary African American culture.- African American culture :...
poet to root himself in traditional customs and still be "modern."
Though a citizen of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Michizō would rarely mention modern urban scenes in his work. Aside from several references to cars, Michizō chose to describe a vegetable, not a mineral realm. He described trains as vehicles of escape or fate in which they cart people away or carry him to new experiences that may rescue him from being cooped up in his architectural office.
The natural landscapes of the Shinano
Shinano Province
or is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
Highlands provided an endless parade of conventional imagery that Michizō would use in his work; such as birds, clouds, flowers, grasses, mountains, skies, trees, and wind. A sizable part of his poetry used poetic impulse, often causing his work to be labelled as "sentimental". He wrote openly about his feelings and expressed what was in his heart, allowing his verse to be both uncontaminated and genuine.
Education & development
Michizō as early on as preschool took an interest drawing, and teachers began to regard him as a child prodigyChild prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
. In 1927, Michizō entered Morioka Third High School
Morioka Third High School
The , commonly referred to as Morioka Third High School or San-Kō, is located in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It is the third oldest public high school in the city, founded in 1963. It has a student body of approximately 1,000 students...
where he joined the Painting Club, which taught him the use of pastel crayons. He also joined the Magazine Club which instructed him in how to submit manuscripts for publication. By 1929 the The Alumni Bulletin had printed 11 tanka and some of his drawings would win the silver medal in a student exhibition.
Michizō tested out of the fifth year of high school and directly entered college choosing to study science; which required English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. He joined the Literary Club and shifted from using tanka to free verse
Free verse
Free verse is a form of poetry that refrains from consistent meter patterns, rhyme, or any other musical pattern.Poets have explained that free verse, despite its freedom, is not free. Free Verse displays some elements of form...
in his poetry. Michizō also began reading the German poet Rilke as well as French poets Valéry
Valery
The French name Valery [valri] is a given name or surname of Germanic origin Walaric , that has often been confused in modern time with the latin name Valerius, that explains the variant spelling Valéry [valeri]...
and Baudelaire.
Michizō graduated from First College in 1934 and entered the Imperial University
Imperial university
-France:Imperial University or University of France refers to the French university re-organisation initiated by Napoleon.-Japan:...
, a three-year course of study, as an architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
major. At the university, he won the annual prize for the best project or design by an architectural undergraduate three years in a row and was also asked by five different literary journals to submit works. Upon graduation, he was hired by Ishimoto Architects; however, he disliked his job where he felt cooped up and creatively hemmed in with no control over his conceptions.
Tuberculosis
By March 1938, Michizō began experiencing exhaustion and sense of oppression. He also found himself sleeping more often and suffered from a low-grade fever. Doctor ordered rest, yet Michizō decided on a long trip for northern HonshūHonshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
and Nagasaki. In December 1938 he arrives in Nagasaki exhausted; admitted himself to a hospital where he began coughing up a huge amounts of blood. He returned to Tokyo where doctors order continual rest; however, Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
had already began to affect other vital organs. Enters a Tokyo sanatorium
Sanatorium
A sanatorium is a medical facility for long-term illness, most typically associated with treatment of tuberculosis before antibiotics...
. On March 29, 1939 his illness had completely taken over and he died.