Small Exhibition "Tribute Exhibition for Mr. Shuntaro Tanikawa" (December 2024)

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TANIKAWA Shuntaro, one of Japan’s leading postwar poets who also received international acclaim, passed away on the 13th of last month.
His rhythmic poems, composed using the simple words of everyday life, have been translated into dozens of languages including English, Chinese, French, and German, and with over 50 published volumes of collected poems, his works have been widely read overseas. Mr. Tanikawa contributed to the promotion of international mutual understanding for many years through his poetry, and in 2019, he received the Japan Foundation Award in anticipation of his continued future activities. At the award ceremony event, "Shuntaro Tanikawa Talk and Performance 'Mimi wo Sumasu'—An Evening of Talk, Poetry and Music", Mr. Tanikawa spoke about writing poetry and his experiences with international exchange in a conversation with Ms. OZAKI Mariko.

In an interview given upon receiving the Japan Foundation Award, he talked about how his works have been translated and read by people worldwide.
"I am very happy that my poems have been translated into many languages and read all over the world. That is why I would like to continue writing poetry in Japanese."
*The Japan Foundation Awards 2019 Recipient's Comment

YouTube "The Japan Foundation Awards 2019 Recipient's TANIKAWA Shuntaro" interview movie (in Japanese only)

In the following year's Japan Foundation Awards Special Project, "International Exchanges Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic as Seen by Past Award Recipients", Mr. Tanikawa used YOTSUMOTO Yasuhiro's translated anthology of contemporary poetic works, "Homo Sapiens Poetry Collection", to write about the importance of international exchange for modern poetry, the difficulty of translation, and the driving force of personal enthusiasm, and sent a message stressing the need for new innovations amid the pandemic.
Since 1984, when the Japan Foundation sent Mr. Tanikawa to the U.S. for a short stay to introduce Japanese culture, he continued to work with us to create various opportunities for international exchange through poetry and music. We would like to express our deepest condolences by presenting a small exhibition of Mr. Tanikawa's writings, which have been translated into foreign languages and read overseas, as well as some words that he left us with. (until December 27)

*Reference: Japan Foundation Annual Report 1985, The Japan Foundation, p.69