Obra Maestra - Today's Brilliant Contemporary and Modern Artist for Literature: Sir Taro Hokkyo

 

Sir Taro Hokkyo’s life has been nothing short of a symphony, composed of verses that transcend borders and echo the universal heartbeat of humanity. Born under the serene gaze of Japan's mountains and rivers, Taro began his poetic journey as a seeker of beauty and meaning, finding solace and expression in the delicate art of haiku. His dedication to this craft earned him the prestigious Rekitei Newcomer Award in 1998—a spark that ignited a life devoted to the written word.

Though Japan’s traditions provided Taro a rich foundation, his aspirations could not be contained within its borders. In 2019, destiny knocked on his door in the form of Master Ngo of Taiwan, who invited him to contribute to the World Haiku community. The invitation opened a portal to the digital realm, where Taro’s haiku began their migration to distant lands.

One momentous year later, Richard Vallance of Ottawa, Canada, extended a warm invitation for Taro to bring his haiku to an international audience. With every penned syllable, his words wove through continents, resonating in the hearts of readers across North America and beyond. Taro’s minimalist masterpieces not only captured fleeting moments but also immortalized emotions that language often struggles to encapsulate.

By 2021, Taro’s fame extended to the Arabic-speaking world, where his haiku found new life in translations orchestrated by Mahmound Al-Rajabi and Ragbi. Their collaborative spirit led to the publication of Taro’s poetry collections, beginning with four volumes in Arabic-speaking nations. The year also marked the crowning achievement of receiving the esteemed Arab Golden Planet Award—a testament to the universal power of his work.

Taro’s contributions were more than poetic; they became bridges. The universality of his verses earned him recognition as a cultural ambassador, culminating in the 2022 honor of being named a Doctor of Literature by Arabic-speaking countries. It was clear—Taro’s haiku was not merely a reflection of life; it had become a force that shaped it.

In 2023, the echo of Taro’s words reached the literary enclaves of Albania, where his haiku were celebrated in "Orfew.al" magazine. The following year, his poetic odyssey expanded further. A humble yet evocative piece appeared in Bangladesh’s "Daily Global Nation," and his work graced the pages of "Polis Magazine" in Greece, courtesy of Eva Lianou Petropou, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Around the same time, British art circles lauded his contributions, and Taro’s name featured prominently in multiple international publications, including magazines in Korea, Nepal, India, and China.

Taro's accolades were countless, yet he remained grounded—a soul tethered to the beauty of the world around him. His poetic collections, such as *The Boat on the Mountain*, *Eternal Tower*, and *The Soul Book / The Cripple of My Soul*, are a testament to his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. In Arabic-speaking lands, collections like *Snowy Night* and *Buson’s Brush* bore witness to his seamless ability to transcend linguistic barriers, resonating in hearts separated by vast oceans and deserts.

Despite his global acclaim, Taro remained true to the essence of haiku: brevity, beauty, and boundless depth. His poetry carved out a quiet sanctuary in an increasingly noisy world—a place where sorrow, hope, and joy could coexist. Through the delicate interplay of words and silences, Taro reminded us of life’s fleeting, yet profound moments.

Even as his reach expanded to distant countries and his words appeared in anthologies like *Resonance and Roots Poetry Anthology*, Taro’s humility remained a hallmark of his character. Always quick to attribute his success to the friendships he cultivated along the way, Taro’s gratitude shone like a beacon. “I seem to have forgotten the names of magazines and newspapers in which my poems appeared due to my negligence. My apologies,” he once wrote—a small note that revealed the soul of an artist who placed more value on creation than recognition.

Today, Taro’s legacy is not just the sum of his published works or awards but the spirit of connection his poetry inspires. His verses stand as an eternal lighthouse, guiding readers toward shared human experiences—bridging gaps, soothing sorrows, and celebrating the fragile, exquisite beauty of existence.

Taro Hokkyo remains a testament to the transformative power of words—a poet whose journey reminds us that, no matter how vast the world may seem, the language of the heart is universal.

"BODY TEMPERATURE"

    By: Taro Hokkyo 

Opening the door, George stood in an old, thick jacket. He invited me in with a well-pleased expression. He hit the bottom of the tea bag and put the powdered black tea in a white pottery pot, then poured hot water. He said, “I don’t have any dreams any more, and you brew tea.” Before the tea was brewed in two mugs, I was stuck in words.

 “Oh George, here’s the tea you brewed. Even if my dream is shattered like black tea powder, the black tea brewed by me is not a fake.” A dream that has become powder swirls in a thin tea in a mug. “George,” I think, as I put my palm on the back of his hand. “Even if your dream dies, your life is here.” 

But you say, “I’m cold. I can freeze even in summer.” Take the mug so that your arm, which has endured lies and humiliation, can manage the tremors. Lost homeland. A distant homeland while in the homeland. You are still fighting for that. You’re trembling in your life and fighting yourself like that.

I don’t have any words to convince you. No matter what I say, you will stubbornly say no. I tell you that you are fine and hug your body with my whole body. You laugh a little happily and say goodbye with a hoarse voice. “Oh George, you should still be fighting. You will continue to stand as long as you live until you fall. George, I will never forget your temperature, just as you won’t forget mine.”

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