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Toshio Mae

まえ としお

Mae Toshio

Aliases: 前 登志晃
Pen Names: Ankino Shirou（Pen name used when finalist for Kadokawa Tanka Prize）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1926-01-01 （Hirobashi, Shimoichi, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2008-04-05 （Shimoichi, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture） age 82
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Yoshino (since 1951)

Career

Occupations
tanka poet, poet, essayist, forestry worker, college associate professor
Active Years
1950-2008
Affiliations
Yamamayu no Kai
Memberships
Member of the Japan Art Academy
Influenced By
Masao Maekawa (Maekawa Samio), Kunio Yanagita, Shinobu Orikuchi
Influenced
Satoshi Ichihara, Yoshihiro Hagioka, Sachiko Kobayashi (tanka poet), Hiroki Kita, Yoko Kotani, Kazuko Fukui
Nominations
9th Modern Tanka Poets Association Prize (nominee) — 'Shigosen no Mayu'

Education

Former Nara Middle School (now Nara Prefectural Nara High School)
Country: Japan
Doshisha University, Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Economics
Country: Japan
Enlisted in 1945 and left before graduation

Awards

Choko Prize
1978
Work: Jomon Ki
Organization: Choko Prize Committee
Result: winner
Shiika Bungakukan Prize
1988
Work: Jukashu
Organization: Shiika Literature Museum
Result: winner
Saito Mokichi Tanka Literature Prize
1992
Work: Chojuchuo (Birds, Beasts, Insects, Fish)
Organization: Saito Mokichi Prize Committee
Result: winner
Yomiuri Literature Prize
1998
Work: Aodouji
Organization: Yomiuri Shimbun
Result: winner
Gendai Tanka Grand Prize
2003
Work: Ruten
Organization: Gendai Tanka Grand Prize Committee
Result: winner
Mainichi Art Award
2004
Work: Chosoritsu
Organization: Mainichi Shimbun
Result: winner
Japan Art Academy Prize (Literature)
2005
Work: Lifetime works
Organization: Japan Art Academy
Result: winner
Onshi Prize (Imperial Award)
2005
Work: Lifetime works
Organization: Japan Art Academy (Onshi Prize)
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Uchu-eki (Space Station)

1956 poetry collection

An early collection originating in poetry, showing influences from European verse and experimental sensibilities.

cosmologypoetic experimentation

Shigosen no Mayu (The Meridian's Cocoon)

1964 tanka collection

First tanka collection. Expresses an animistic worldview centered on the nature and life of Yoshino through tanka.

Yoshinonatureview of lifeanimism

Aodouji

1997 tanka collection

One of his notable later works. Tanka with rich natural depiction and symbolism grounded in his unique cosmology.

naturesymbolismcosmology

Bibliography

  • Uchu-eki (Shosensha, 1956)
  • Yoshino Kikou (Kadokawa Shoten, 1967)
  • Sanga Doukoku (Asahi Shimbun, 1976)
  • Sonzai no Aki (Ozawa Shoten, 1977)
  • Yoshino Nikki (Kadokawa Shoten, 1983)
  • Juka Sangai (Kadokawa Shoten, 1986)
  • Manyobito no Utagokoro (NHK Publishing, 1986)
  • Yoshino Yukyusho (Kadokawa Shoten, 1987)
  • Jukashu (Ozawa Shoten, 1987)
  • Chojuchuo (Ozawa Shoten, 1992)
  • Aodouji (Tanka Kenkyusha, 1997)
  • Ruten (Sunagoya Shobo, 2002)
  • Chosoritsu (Sunagoya Shobo, 2003)
  • Uta no Cosmology: Fate and Tradition (Hon'ami Shoten, 2004)
  • From Uka-do (NHK Publishing, 2009)
  • Rinchu Chogo (Nagarami Shobo, 2009)
  • In Search of the Soul's Place (Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2014)
  • Complete Tanka Collection of Toshio Mae (Tanka Kenkyusha, 2013)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyric and symbolic tanka reflecting an animistic cosmologyuse of poetic and experimental language
Recurring Motifs
nature of Yoshinobirds and beaststrees and forestscosmology and view of life

Legacy

A tanka poet who continuously expressed an animistic cosmology centered on Yoshino. He nurtured disciples, received numerous literary awards, and was recognized as a member of the Japan Art Academy.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Art Academy

Archives

  • Toshio Mae Research Room (materials used by disciples; referenced at Toge no Manabiya)

Trivia

  • Born January 1, 1926 — died April 5, 2008.
  • Returned to Yoshino in 1951 and subsequently wrote many works themed on Yoshino.
  • Founded the tanka society 'Yamamayu no Kai' in 1967.
  • Became a member of the Japan Art Academy in 2005 and received the Japan Art Academy Prize and the Onshi Prize the same year.