Poet and editor Jordan Smith follows the work of Japanese poets who are experimenting with new poetic forms in order to embed poetry into the Tokyo landscape.

Jordan meets Tokyo based poet Nagae Yuki who has taken inspiration from the genre of steric poetry to celebrate a phenomenon that is completely unique to this city. He also follows a theatrical poetry project, known as Tokyo Heterotopia, which aims to preserve the historic influence that Asian immigrants have had on Tokyo. A group of Japanese poets came together to lay poems at specific landmarks around the city, creating a virtual audio tour for thousands of visitors. And finally, we hear poet Shiraishi Kazuko's sensual homage to the city, entitled “My Tokyo”.

Produced by Anishka Sharma.
With thanks to Darin Dahlinger and Jae Bordley.

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

New Japanese Poetry: Beneath and Beyond Tokyo

Special Event. Hosted by Monday Night Readings Coordinator, Judah Rubin. 

Yoshimasu Gozo, born in Tokyo, has given performances worldwide, and has received many literary and cultural awards, including the Takami Jun Prize, the Rekitei Prize, the Purple Ribbon, and the 50th Mainichi Art Award for Poetry. This reading coincides with Gozo’s Alice Iris Red Horse: Selected Poems of Yoshimasu Gozo from New Directions and will feature Gozo in performance with special guests.

New Japanese Poetry: Beneath and Beyond Tokyo

ToPoJo

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