Introduction
At the age of six, Akiko entered the Shikusei Grammar School in her neighborhood, and later the Sakai Girls’ School, from which she was graduated in 1895. Of her school life or friends, she has little to tell. Years later she writes:
“At school I was a dull student, far below the average. I cared little for the type of education that forced every mind in a certain set mould.”
In the late 19th century, a girl born in a conservative middle class family lived a drab life, but Akiko’s case seemed to be worse.
“Till I was well over twenty, I was brought up in the narrow uncomfortable atmosphere of an old fashioned home…. My father was addicted to strong drink and cared little for his family. My mother, who temperamentally had nothing in common with him, was always quarreling with him.”
In comparison with her highly sensitive and delicate sisters, Akiko, the future poet, was both mentally and physically robust. Hence:
“Ever since I could remember I had to keep house for the family. As soon as I was old enough to read and write, the heavy task of supervising the store also fell on me.”
Little Akiko waited on customers, kept books for her father, and sent out bills at the end of the
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