Hagiwara Sakutarō (born in Maebashi in 1886 - died in Tokyo in 1942) was a Japanese poet. He was one of the first to write modern, free-verse poetry and break with the rules of traditionally structured forms. Hagiwara's collections include Tsuki ni hoeru ("Howling at the Moon", 1917) and Aoneko ("Blue Cat", 1923).
In many of his poems, the author uses his vivid imagination to convey an attitude of pessimism, despair, and existential angst. He often uses colloquial, straightforward language, while bringing its rhythmical and musical elements to the fore.
Hagiwara was also a musician: he played the mandolin and the guitar. A mandolin solo piece that he created, called "A Weaving Girl", is still famous today - listen to it here.
In many of his poems, the author uses his vivid imagination to convey an attitude of pessimism, despair, and existential angst. He often uses colloquial, straightforward language, while bringing its rhythmical and musical elements to the fore.
Hagiwara was also a musician: he played the mandolin and the guitar. A mandolin solo piece that he created, called "A Weaving Girl", is still famous today - listen to it here.
