Gonnoské Komai (Japanese: 駒井権之助, romanized: Komai Gonnosuke; 1874[1] – 1956[2]) was a Japanese poet, artist, and war correspondent,[3] who became well-known in England.[4][5] Once in Britain, he wrote and lectured regularly on Japanese subjects, with one contemporary describing Komai as being 'unrivalled' among 'modern interpreters of Japan.'[6] Komai was noted for continuing to wear his native dress throughout his life in England.[7][8]
Gonnoské Komai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1874 |
| Died | 1956 (aged 81–82) |
| Occupations |
|
| Children |
|
Life
editGonnoské Komai was born in Japan in 1874.[9][1] He married Sheffield-born Norah Howard Morgan in Willesden in 1921, and the couple had two daughters: Gloria Mari-Ko Komai (born 1922) and Felicia (Fuji-Ko, born 1926).[10][11] In London, Komai lived at 73 Harcourt Terrace, Kensington.[12]
Komai worked as correspondent for The Daily Telegraph during the Russo-Japanese War, and for The Times during World War I.[13] He was present at the First Conference of PEN in London in 1923.[14]
Komai was a friend of artist Augustus John, who painted him.[15] He was active in the literary and cultural scene of London,[16] with H. G. Wells and John Galsworthy being godfathers to his daughters.
Works
edit- Dreams from China and Japan: being transfusions from the Japanese and Chinese languages (1918)
- Fuji from Hampstead Heath (1925)
- Fuji-Yama and other poems (1934)
- America and Japan (19--)
- Japan Yesterday and Today (1936)
- Exhibition of water-colours on silk by leading contemporary Japanese artists (1937)
References
edit- ^ a b United Kingdom census (1921). "1921 Census Of England & Wales". FindMyPast.
- ^ a b "England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007". FindMyPast. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ Asiatic Review, vol. 8 – via Internet Archive
- ^ Bradley, H. Dennis (Herbert Dennis) (1925). The wisdom of the gods. University of British Columbia Library. London : T. Werner Laurie Ltd. – via Internet Archive.
- ^ The Educational Times (1921). The Educational Times. The UCL Institute of Education. H.F.W. Deane & Sons, The Year Book Press Ltd – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Pritchard, F.H. (1937). Great Essays Of All Nations – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Komai, Gonnoské (1918). Dreams from China and Japan : being transfusions from the Japanese and Chinese languages. Cornell University Library. London : Eastern Press – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Belloc, Hilaire; Jane, Fred T. (Frederick Thomas) (2 October 1915). Land & Water. Kelly - University of Toronto. London: Country Gentleman Pub. Co. p. 17 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Alamy Limited. "Came For Six Months - Stayed For 23 Years. -- Mr. Gonnoske Komai at work on a painting is his London Home. February 01, 1935. (Photo by Universal Press Agency Stock Photo - Alamy)". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ "England & Wales Births 1837-2006". FindMyPast. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ "Cry, the beloved country; a verse drama : Komai, Felicia, 1926- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ Alamy Limited. "Gonnoske Komai, the Japanese poet at home (73 Harcourt Terrace, South Kensington), with Augustus John's portrait of Japanese Crown Prince (Hirohito) in his conservatory wearing ceremonial kimono, 10 December 1924". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ "To-night's University College Lecture". Hull Daily Mail. 17 March 1937.
- ^ Watts, Marjorie (1971). P.E.N.; the early years, 1921-1926. London, Archive Press. ISBN 978-0-85591-001-3 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ John, Augustus (1952). Chiaroscuro; fragments of autobiography. Internet Archive. New York, Pellegrini & Cudahy.
- ^ The Strand Magazine. 1923.
  | This article about a Japanese poet is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a Japanese writer, poet, or screenwriter is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Japanese artist–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |