Junzo Watanabe

Poet. Born in Toyama Prefecture. After dropping out of Toyama Junior High School, he moved to Tokyo and became an apprentice at a furniture store. After publishing "National Literature" and "Art and Freedom," he joined the Shinko Tanka Renmei. He was active as a promoter of the proletarian tanka movement. In 1941 (Showa 16), he was arrested on suspicion of violating the Peace Preservation Law. After World War II, he became a central figure in the New Japan Tanka Association and worked hard to promote the democratic tanka movement that continued the traditions of Ishikawa Takuboku. His style of poetry captures reality in a simple and straightforward way, and sings of the feelings of ordinary people. He has published collections of poems such as "Songs of Poverty" (1924) and "City of Fierce Winds" (1939), as well as many critical essays such as "The Definitive History of Modern Tanka."

[Masao Mizuno]

I have calluses on my palms. I'm sorry for the 16 years of hard work.

"The Definitive History of Modern Tanka Poets, Volumes 1 and 2 (1963, 64, Shunjusha)" ▽ "Watanabe Junzo's Autobiography: In the Fierce Wind (1971, Toho Publishing)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

歌人。富山県生まれ。富山中学中退後上京、家具屋の小僧となる。『国民文学』『芸術と自由』を経て、新興歌人連盟に参加。プロレタリア短歌運動の推進者として活躍。1941年（昭和16）治安維持法違反の容疑で検挙される。第二次世界大戦後は新日本歌人協会の中心的存在となり、石川啄木(たくぼく)の伝統を受け継ぐ民主的短歌運動に努力。作風は現実を平明にとらえ、順直に庶民的実感を歌う。歌集『貧乏の歌』（1924）、『烈風の街』（1939）などのほか『定本近代短歌史』など評論も多い。

［水野昌雄］

　手のひらに堅きタコありあはれわが十六年の錐(きり)もむ仕事

『『定本近代短歌史』上下（1963、64・春秋社）』▽『渡辺順三自伝『烈風の中を』（1971・東邦出版社）』

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