Introduction
10, 23, and 24, he had published articles on the nature of poetry, stressing the importance of knowing its nature and function, rhythm as its distinguishing quality, and the dignity and integrity of poetry. His thesis was no mere argument of an inexperienced poet, but showed great critical discrimination, based on his knowledge of the historical course of Japanese poetry. In it we have the germ of the first full revaluation of poetry since the Preface to the Kokinshu by Ki no Tsurayuki in the early part of the tenth century.
Sachio’s challenge to Shiki was soon to develop into profound admiration and sympathy, for these two writers shared surprisingly similar qualities of mind. There was in each a full understanding of the importance of discipline and craftsmanship, an equal insistence on the fusion of experience and reflection, which should be expressed in apt words without sacrificing their sound or sense. Each reacted against the copious expansiveness of his own age. Therefore, on January 3, 1900, Sachio called on Shiki who was confined in bed with tuberculosis and an affection of the spine, and with the sincerity and humility of a child became a pupil of Shiki. He writes:
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