Yotsumoto Yasuhiro, Family Room

Yotsumoto Yasuhiro was born in Osaka, Japan in 1959 and grew up mostly in Hiroshima. He started writing poetry in his late teens and published his first collection of poetry “A Laughing Bug” in 1991. Since then 7 collections of his poetry were published including ”Muddy Calender” (Co-authored with Inuo Taguchi, 2008), “Starboard of My Wife” (2006), “Golden Hour” (2004). He won several awards such as Hagiwara Sakutaro Award and his poems have been translated into more than 10 languages including two books of Romanian and Serbian translations. In addition to poetry, Yasuhiro writes essays, literary criticism, and translates poetry from English or German to Japanese. His latest book of translation will be “Kid” by Simon Armitage to be published in Japan later this year. He is also active in editorial works: since 2006, Yotsumoto has been National Editor of Poetry International Web – Japan, introducing the contemporary Japanese poetry through English translations. He has also recently taken part in the launch of a new poetry magazine “Beagle” in Japan as an editor.