Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Nagisao Yajima

やじま なぎさお

Yajima Nagisao

Pen Names: Nagisao Yajima（Pen name (legal given name: Kaoru)）, Kaoru（Legal given name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1935-01-24 （Maruko, Nagano (now Ueda)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
haiku poet, high school teacher, critic
Active Years
1957-
Affiliations
Haiku magazine "Tsuru", Haiku magazine "Kanrai", Editor/leader of haiku magazine "Fukuro" (Owl), Haiku judge, Yomiuri Shimbun (Nagano edition), Haiku judge, Asahi Shimbun (Nagano edition)
Influenced By
Hakkyō Ishida, Shūson Katō, Yosa Buson, Matsuo Bashō

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Letters / Department of National History
Year of Graduation: 1957
Country: Japan
Contemporary of Kenzaburō Ōe
Ueda Matsuo High School
Country: Japan
Tokyo Metropolitan Kudan High School
Country: Japan

Awards

Haiku Shiki Grand Prize (3rd)
2003
Work: Ennen
Organization: Haiku Shiki (magazine)
Result: winner
Arts Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2008
Work: Kudarano (Hyakusa-no)
Organization: MEXT (Arts Encouragement Prize)
Result: winner
Jakotsu Prize (50th)
2016
Work: Tōsei-shū
Organization: Jakotsu Prize Committee
Result: winner
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
2020
Organization: Government of Japan (Honours)
Result: decoration
Person of Cultural Merit
2024
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs / MEXT
Result: honor

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ennen

2002 Haiku collection

A collection weaving seasonal words and everyday life; winner of the Haiku Shiki Grand Prize (2003).

seasonalitynatureeveryday life

Kudarano

2007 Haiku collection

A collection that presents new perspectives while inheriting the spirit of classical haiku; recipient of the Arts Encouragement Prize (MEXT).

linking classical and modernnature depiction

Tōsei-shū

2015 Haiku collection

A collection of mature late-period haiku; winner of the 50th Jakotsu Prize.

age and seasonsmemory

Nani o shi ni

2024 Haiku collection

A recent collection of haiku published in 2024.

existenceeveryday questions

Bibliography

  • Yajima Nagisao Haiku Collection (Tokyo Bijutsu) 1980
  • Ten'i (Fujimi Shobo) 1987
  • Buson and His Circle (Kadokawa) 1988
  • Fukuro (haiku collection) (Fujimi Shobo) 1990
  • The Heart of Seasonal Themes (Hon'ami Shoten) 1990
  • Selected Haiku of Shirao (Kodansha Academic Bunko) 1991
  • Shūson Haiku 365 Days (Umesato Shobo) 1992
  • Toward the Future of Haiku (Hon'ami Shoten) 1992
  • Like a Ship (Benishobo) 1994
  • Song of the Owl (Furansudo) 1995
  • Walking with Yosa Buson (Kadokawa) 1995
  • On the Wings (Kadokawa) 1999
  • Toward the Future of Haiku 2 (Benishobo) 2001
  • Selected Seasonal Buson Haiku (Yushorin) 2001
  • Ennen (Fujimi Shobo) 2002
  • Zenkoji Haiku Collection (Boronte) 2003
  • Notes from My Surroundings (Benishobo) 2004
  • Kudarano (Furansudo) 2007
  • Toward the Future of Haiku 3 (Benishobo) 2010
  • Song of Wild Chrysanthemums (Furansudo) 2011
  • Tōsei-shū (Furansudo) 2015
  • Nani o shi ni (Furansudo) 2024

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Deep knowledge of classical haiku fused with contemporary sensibilityConcise style with strong emphasis on seasonality
Recurring Motifs
seasonal imagerynaturetemples and local landscapesage and memory

Legacy

Widely regarded as an important haiku poet bridging classical and modern haiku, recipient of multiple literary awards and state honors; he has significant regional influence in Nagano Prefecture.

Academic Societies

  • Modern Haiku Association

Trivia

  • Legal given name is "Kaoru".
  • Born in Maruko, Nagano (now Ueda).
  • Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Department of National History; contemporary of Kenzaburō Ōe.
  • Worked as a high school history teacher.
  • Studied under Hakkyō Ishida and Shūson Katō; served as editor/leader of the haiku magazine "Fukuro".