Introduction
branch of the Osaka Society, and in the early issues of the journal of that year, we find a few poems by Akiko Otori, probably her first appearance in print. In April, 1900, when Hiroshi Yosano published a monthly journal of his own, Myojo, Akiko was one of the first contributors. In August, Hiroshi was the guest of the Sakai group and spent a day with Akiko, Tomiko Yamagawa, and others, in poetic discourse. This day marks the first page of Akiko’s new life.
As a teacher, following the old practice in Japan, Hiroshi must have corrected Akiko’s compositions, for immediately we find his influence on her work. This relation of teacher and disciple was soon converted into an ardent poetical friendship. Passionate Akiko composed still more passionate poems, and she was no longer willing to enjoy their friendship without a consummation in romantic marriage. Under her compelling influence, Hiroshi divorced his first wife, gave up his love for another beautiful poetess, Tomiko Yamagawa, and married Akiko. This was in the early fall of 1901.
In August of the same year, Hiroshi had already brought out a volume of Akiko’s poems, Midare gami (Tangled Hair), which created a sensation,
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