Poet. A native of Yamaguchi prefecture, he is known principally for his haiku poetry, written in simple language and with a lyrical quality, often celebrating the subjects of wine and nature. His two most famous works are "Somokuto (Monument to Grass and Trees)" and "Gochu nikki," a five-volume work about his nomadic travels all over Japan. Taneda did not always conform to the haiku verse patterns in his work. He was also an ordained Zen priest. His first walking tour through Japan, begging as he went from village to village, began in April 1926 and lasted for four years. During this trip to Shikoku, he visited the 88 shrines and temples associated with the Buddhist saint Kukai. Santoka is said to have walked more than twenty-eight thousand miles during his lifetime, starting out each morning penniless and with no food, and not knowing where he would stay or even if he would find lodging for the night. These were very hard miles, miles which brought sun and rain, generosity and hostility, food and hunger, smiles and scowls, health and illness, thirst and pure water, loneliness and moments of companionship, grief and intense happiness, but moments always lived with the thought that everything should be welcomed, whether good or bad. The humble cottage where he settled near the end of his life, "Isso-an(A Blade of Grass Hermitage)," is preserved north of Ehime University. His books and documents are preserved in the Shiki Memorial Museum.
Poet. A native of Yamaguchi prefecture, he is known principally for his haiku poetry, written in simple language and with a lyrical quality, often celebrating the subjects of wine and nature. His two most famous works are "Somokuto (Monument to Grass and Trees)" and "Gochu nikki," a five-volume work about his nomadic travels all over Japan. Taneda did not always conform to the haiku verse patterns in his work. He was also an ordained Zen priest. His first walking tour through Japan, begging as he went from village to village, began in April 1926 and lasted for four years. During this trip to Shikoku, he visited the 88 shrines and temples associated with the Buddhist saint Kukai. Santoka is said to have walked more than twenty-eight thousand miles during his lifetime, starting out each morning penniless and with no food, and not knowing where he would stay or even if he would find lodging for the night. These were very hard miles, miles which brought sun and rain, generosity and hostility, food and hunger, smiles and scowls, health and illness, thirst and pure water, loneliness and moments of companionship, grief and intense happiness, but moments always lived with the thought that everything should be welcomed, whether good or bad. The humble cottage where he settled near the end of his life, "Isso-an(A Blade of Grass Hermitage)," is preserved north of Ehime University. His books and documents are preserved in the Shiki Memorial Museum.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
Advertisement
See more Taneda memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
