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Isshin Oshita

おおした いっしん

Oshita Isshin

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-07-02 （Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Religion
Rinzai school (Engaku-ji branch, Zen Buddhism)
Residence History
Shizuoka Prefecture → Kamakura (Zuisen-ji Temple, head priest)

Career

Occupations
tanka poet, Buddhist monk (Rinzai), head priest, editor
Active Years
1971-
Affiliations
Mahiru-no tanka society (member, editorial committee, publisher)
Influenced By
Katayo Yamazaki

Education

Komazawa University
Faculty of Buddhist Studies
Country: Japan

Awards

Japan Tanka Poets' Club Prize
2005
Work: Tanka collection 'Ashimoto' (Footing)
Organization: Japan Tanka Poets' Club
Result: winner
Shūji Terayama Tanka Prize
2009
Work: Tanka collection 'Sokkima' (Here and Now)
Organization: Shūji Terayama Prize Committee
Result: winner
Wakayama Bokusui Prize
2011
Work: Tanka collection 'Gesshoku' (Lunar Eclipse)
Organization: Wakayama Bokusui Prize Committee
Result: winner
Choko Prize
2022
Work: Tanka collection 'Urushibukuro' (Lacquer Bucket)
Organization: Choko Prize Committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sonza (Existence)

1988 tanka

Early tanka collection focusing on existence and the details of everyday life.

existenceeveryday lifenature

Soha (Sweeping Leaves)

1996 tanka

A collection that depicts seasonal feelings and the changes of nature.

seasonsnaturetime

Ashimoto (At One's Feet)

2004 tanka

Collection intertwining familiar scenery with Zen perspectives. Winner of the 32nd Japan Tanka Poets' Club Prize.

Zeneveryday lifenature

Sokkima (Here and Now)

2008 tanka

A collection characterized by its direct gaze at the present. Winner of the 14th Shūji Terayama Tanka Prize.

the presentintrospectiontime

Gesshoku (Lunar Eclipse)

2011 tanka

A collection weaving symbolic natural depiction with the human interior. Winner of the 16th Wakayama Bokusui Prize.

naturesymbolisminner life

Waraji (Straw Sandals)

2013 tanka

A collection that includes perspectives on travel and walking.

travelwalkingmemory

Urushibukuro (Lacquer Bucket)

2021 tanka

A mature-expression collection suggesting the arrival of later years. Winner of the 56th Choko Prize.

agingmaturityZen

Bibliography

  • Sonza (Existence)
  • Soha (Sweeping Leaves)
  • Ashimoto (At One's Feet)
  • Sokkima (Here and Now)
  • Gesshoku (Lunar Eclipse)
  • Waraji (Straw Sandals)
  • Urushibukuro (Lacquer Bucket)
  • The Songs of Katayo Yamazaki
  • Kamakura Mountain Hermitage Diary - Tales of a Helpful Priest
  • Flower Priest's Monologue

Style & Themes

Literary Style
concise, Zen-influenced expressiontranquil observationtanka that scoop up details of everyday life
Recurring Motifs
Zennaturetime and seasonseveryday actions

Legacy

A Rinzai Buddhist monk and tanka poet highly regarded over decades. Through editorial work, promotion of Katayo Yamazaki research, and multiple major tanka awards, he has influenced contemporary tanka.

Archives

  • National Diet Library (Japan) (NDL identifier present)
  • VIAF / ISNI entries present

Trivia

  • Since 1988 he has been involved in founding and editing the research journal 'Katayo Yamazaki Studies' after the death of Katayo Yamazaki.
  • The memorial for Katayo Yamazaki (Katayo-ki) is held at Zuisen-ji every year on the first Saturday of September; this is organized by Oshita and others.
  • Identifiers such as ISNI, VIAF and NDL are registered for him.