The Josai University Educational Corporation (Chancellor Noriko Mizuta) held its “Modern Poetry Event III” in the 1st Building Hall at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus on November 6, 2015. The event’s theme was “Ripped Shoes Left on the Roof ― A Meeting of Poets from Japan, China and South Korea,” and it featured a reading of poetry and renshi (linked poetry) as well as a panel discussion. It was sponsored by the Shichosha publishing company. This was just one of many events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the university’s founding. Along with reading some of their works, the ten participating poets talked about the expression and potential of modern poetry, as well as its language and translation. Chancellor Mizuta, herself a poet and a scholar of comparative literature, was one of the participants. She was joined by others representing Japan, as well as critic and modern poet Xi Chuan, who represented China, and internationally regarded Moon Chung-hee from South Korea.

In December of the year before last, Chancellor Mizuta was awarded Sweden’s Cikada Prize for her poetic expression of the majesty of life in East Asia. In honor of that event, the university held its “Cikada Prize Winners Commemorative International Symposium” in June of last year. Ms. Moon was among the other winners invited. Later in November of that same year, Chancellor Mizuta and Ms. Moon also held a tripartite, entitled “Modern Poetry Event II.” They were joined by Hiromi Ito that time. Then this year in May, the city of Dalian, China hosted a reading of Japanese and Chinese poets. The event allowed guests to feel the international commonality and universality of poetry. The event this time was a meeting of well-known poets from China, South Korea and Japan. The event was intended to be a poetry reading as well as an opportunity to speak about poetry.

The other participating poets were Toriko Takarabe, Mutsuo Takahashi, Gozo Yoshimasu (Josai International University visiting lecturer), Maiko Sugimoto, Yumi Fuzuki, Shin Takeuchi, and Tian Yuan (Josai International University visiting lecturer).

At the beginning of the first part, the panel discussion, Chancellor Mizuta gave a few opening remarks. “At this time, we are starting a Center of International Modern Poetry, as part of our celebration of Josai University’s 50th Anniversary. This event also commemorates the establishment of that center. Poetry is an amazingly personal form of expression. However, I believe it is also possible to understand a poem in the exact same way as many others do, to transcend your own individuality. What can we share, what is the new expression of poetry: I would like to hear your thoughts on these points,” she said.

The event’s title, “Ripped Shoes Left on the Roof,” was taken from one of Xi Chuan’s works. It refers to the Chinese custom of throwing the deceased’s shoes onto the roof. During the discussion, Xi Chuan said, “The number of those who read poetry is decreasing, but I am very happy that we have this exchange among poets. The existence of poetry is extremely important to us and to today's people. A poet’s role is to seek an unknown world, and to discover it.” Ms. Takarabe talked about how she began publishing translations of modern Chinese poetry in 1988. She had grown up and studied Chinese in Northeast China. “By translating, I came to understand the heart of the Chinese people. One of the young poets whose work I translated was Xi Chuan,” she admitted. At another point, Ms. Moon said, “There is a poet living inside every person’s heart. Today, I hope to meet the poets locked up inside all of your hearts.”

During the second part, the poetry reading, the ten poets each read aloud several of their own works to the audience. Ms. Sugimoto and Ms. Fuzuki’s readings were bursting with youth, while Mutsuo Takahashi’s verses felt more like a story, drawing tears from the audience. Gozo Yoshimasu’s reading, and vocal accompaniment by last-minute participating singer Marilia, excited the entire hall with its beauty. The event finished with readings of some renshi (linked) poems. The readings were given by Dalian University of Foreign Languages Professor Chen Yan, Dalian Sino-Japan Schoolmate Association Chairman Du Feng Gang, and Japan Poets Association member Aki Sagawa. The audience filled the hall, giving everyone a big applause.