Kitamura Tokoku

Kitamura Tōkoku (1868–1894), also known as Kitamura Montarō, was a Japanese poet and essayist who played a significant role in the development of modern Japanese romantic literature. Born into a samurai-class family in Kanagawa Prefecture, he became involved in liberal politics early in his life, participating in the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. After being expelled from Tokyo Senmon Gakkō (later Waseda University) due to his radical political views, he转向ed文学创作. In 1888, Kitamura self-published *Soshū no shi*, a long verse poem written in free verse, which was the longest of its kind at that time. He also wrote the poetic drama *Hōrai kyoku*. Influenced by Western poets like Byron, Emerson, and Carlyle, as well as Christian ideas from his wife Ishizaka Mina, he shifted to writing essays advocating Western life-affirming views over traditional Buddhist and Shinto philosophies. Kitamura is noted for his seminal work *Naibu seimei ron* (*Theory of Inner Life*), considered the starting point of modern Japanese literature. He founded the Japan Peace Association in 1889, reflecting his Quaker-influenced pacifism. After teaching at various schools and contributing to literary magazines like *Bungakukai*, which he co-founded with Shimazaki Tōson, Kitamura's mental health deteriorated. In an article titled *The Evils of Blind Faith*, he criticized the kokugaku movement for evolving into Shinto fundamentalism. He was close to Shimazaki Tōson and influenced him toward romantic literature. On May 16, 1894, Kitamura committed suicide by hanging himself in his home near Shiba Park in Tokyo. His grave is at Zuisho-ji Temple in Shirokane, ...