Arishima Takeo
Arishima Takeo (1878-1923) was a notable Japanese novelist and thinker known for his exploration of complex themes such as socialism, Christianity, and the relationship between reality and art in his literary works. Born into a talented family, he was the brother of prominent figures in the arts, including artist Arishima Ikuma and novelist Satomi Ton. After completing his education at a prestigious high school in Tokyo, he attended Sapporo Agricultural College and later served in the Japanese army. His journey took him to the United States, where he studied at Harvard University and was influenced by socialist ideas and the poetry of Walt Whitman.
Upon returning to Japan, Arishima became an English teacher and contributed to the literary journal Shirakaba, which played a significant role in his development as a writer. He published three novels that reflected his ideological beliefs and personal struggles. In 1922, he published a manifesto detailing his decision to renounce material possessions and create a cooperative community on his farm in Hokkaido. Tragically, Arishima Takeo's life ended in suicide in 1923 alongside his lover, highlighting the personal turmoil that often accompanied his artistic pursuits. His legacy continues to resonate in discussions of early 20th-century Japanese literature and social thought.
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Arishima Takeo
Author
- Born: March 4, 1878
- Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
- Died: June 9, 1923
- Place of death: Kuruizawa, Japan
Biography
Arishima Takeo was born to a talented family on March 4, 1878. Two of his brothers, Arishima Ikuma and Satomi Ton, later gained fame as an artist and a novelist, respectively. Arishima Takeo attended a high school in Tokyo that was affiliated with Gakushuin University, an institution that, at the time, was comparable to such notable Western universities as Oxford and Cambridge. After graduating from high school at the age of nineteen, he attended Sapporo Agricultural College.
Upon completing his studies at Sapporo, Arishima entered the Japanese army. In 1903 he traveled to the United States to study at Harvard University; while there, he became interested in socialism and the poems of Walt Whitman He returned to Japan in 1907 and became an English teacher. During this period he became involved with a literary journal called Shirakaba. His involvement with Shirakaba led to Arishima’s publication of three novels. These books were strongly influenced by Christianity and socialism and explored the inconsistencies of reality and art.
Arishima’s manifesto, Sengen hitotsu, published in 1922 in volume 15 of his fifteen-volume novel Arishima Takeo chosaku shu, explained his decision to reform his life and renounce his property. He converted his large farm in Hokkaido into a cooperative community. In 1922 he also began publishing a new magazine, Izumi, in an effort to revitalize his writing. Arishima died tragically the following year, committing suicide with his married lover, journalist Hatano Akiko.