Born in 1907 Nakahara Chuya was one of the most gifted and
colourful of Japan’s early modern poets. A bohemian romantic,
his death at the early age of thirty, coupled with the delicacy of his
imagery, have led to him being compared to the greatest of French symbolist poets.

Since the Second World War Nakahara’s stature has risen, and his
poetry is now ranked among the finest Japanese verse of the 20th
century. Influenced by both Symbolism and Dada, he created
lyrics renowned for their songlike eloquence, their personal
imagery and their poignant charm.

This selection of poems from throughout Nakahara’s creative life
includes collected and uncollected work and draws on recent
scholarship to give a full account of this extraordinary figure.