Kobayashi Hideo
Kobayashi Hideo was a prominent Japanese cultural critic born in Tokyo in 1902. He studied French literature at Tokyo University and gained recognition for his literary criticism following the success of his essay "Samazama naru isho," which earned second place in a magazine competition. Over his career, he became known for his insightful critiques of contemporary literature, philosophy, and classical texts, solidifying his reputation as one of Japan's leading literary critics. In 1931, he took on the role of chief editor for the literary magazine Bungakukai, where he contributed several influential articles, including a serialized biography of the writer Fyodor Dostoevski. Beyond criticism, Kobayashi authored works on diverse cultural topics, ranging from the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to the art of Vincent Van Gogh, and translated significant American and European literary works into Japanese. He was also recognized as a thoughtful philosopher, publishing several books on the subject. Kobayashi Hideo passed away in Tokyo in 1983, leaving behind a legacy of cultural and literary influence.
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Kobayashi Hideo
Author
- Born: August 11, 1902
- Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
- Died: March 1, 1983
- Place of death: Tokyo, Japan
Biography
Kobayashi Hideo, one of Japan’s most influential cultural critics, was born in Tokyo in 1902. He attended Tokyo University, where he studied French literature. His career as a literary critic began after his essay, “Samazama naru isho,” won second place in a magazine competition. Kobayashi wrote criticism about a wide variety of literature. He covered contemporary literature, philosophy, and the classic texts of the time. Through years of hard work as a critic, Kobayashi came to be known as one of the greatest literary critics of Japan.
In 1931, he accepted the position of chief editor of Bungakukai, a literary magazine. He wrote numerous articles for the magazine, including a serialized account of the life of writer Fyodor Dostoevski. In the following years of his life, Kobayashi wrote books on numerous cultural topics, including the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the art of Vincent Van Gogh. He also translated American and European literature into Japanese, including the works of Charles Baudelaire and Edgar Allan Poe. He was regarded as a great thinker of his time and published a few books on philosophy. Kobayashi died in Tokyo in 1983.