In this final installment of our series exploring Mount Fuji as a source of artistic inspiration, we delve into its portrayal in modern literature. From the Meiji era to the present day, Mount Fuji has captivated many of Japan’s most celebrated authors and poets, inspiring a diverse range of works.
Masaoka Shiki (1867–1902): A Deep Fascination with Fuji
Born in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Masaoka Shiki was a pioneering figure in modern Japanese literature. His pen name, “Shiki,” derives from the Japanese word for “cuckoo.” Shiki wrote extensively across genres, including haiku, tanka, essays, and literary criticism.
Shiki had a profound interest in Mount Fuji, compiling three volumes of Fuji no Yosegaki (Collected Writings on Fuji), which gathered references to the mountain from classical literature. He also composed nearly 40 poems about Fuji, showcasing his admiration for its majesty:
“The mountain that knows no summer
Needs no fan;
It always wears one on its peak.”
“Even if the Himalayas came here,
They could not surpass Fuji—
A mountain that never shows its back to an enemy.”
“If displayed at the World Expo,
Mount Fuji would surely win first prize.”
Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916): Fuji in His Novels
One of Japan’s most iconic authors, Sōseki is known for works like I Am a Cat, Botchan, and Kokoro. He was a contemporary and friend of Masaoka Shiki, whose passion for Mount Fuji influenced Sōseki’s own writings.
Fuji appears in several of Sōseki’s works, including his serialized novels Gubijinsō (1907) and Sanshirō (1908). In Sanshirō, the protagonist engages in conversations about Mount Fuji, reflecting Sōseki’s own thoughts on the mountain through the character Hirota-sensei.
Tokutomi Roka (1868–1927): Fuji from Zushi
Best known for his novel Hototogisu (The Cuckoo) and his nature-inspired work Shizen to Jinsei (Nature and Life), Tokutomi Roka had a deep connection to Mount Fuji. His autobiographical novel Fuji and several essays praise the mountain’s beauty. Roka once attempted to climb Mount Fuji with his wife but fell unconscious during the ascent.
Izumi Kyōka (1873–1939): Fuji in His Novels
Izumi Kyōka, an author active during the late Meiji and early Shōwa periods, lived for a time in Zushi. During this period, he wrote novels such as Onna Keizu (A Woman’s Lineage) and Shunchū (Spring Daytime), which include descriptions of Mount Fuji.
Nagai Kafū (1879–1959): Tokyo’s Identity Tied to Fuji
A novelist and essayist born in Tokyo, Nagai Kafū believed that Tokyo’s essence lay in its ability to offer views of Mount Fuji. In works like Shinkichōsha Nikki (Diary of a New Returnee) and Hiyori Geta, Kafū wrote about Mount Fuji as a symbol of Tokyo’s cultural identity.
Kitahara Hakushū (1885–1942): Dawn at Mount Fuji
Kitahara Hakushū was one of Japan’s most prominent poets during the modern era. His second poetry collection, Kirara-shū, along with works like Suzume no Tamago, includes numerous poems inspired by Mount Fuji. In his long poem “Reimei no Fujin” (Dawn at Fuji), Hakushū recounts seeing the mountain at sunrise during a journey with his wife:
“Oh, how awe-inspiring it is—this wondrous sight!
No matter how long I gaze upon it or how many words I write,
I cannot capture its majesty.”
Saitō Mokichi (1882–1953): Views from Hakone
Saitō Mokichi was both a poet and psychiatrist who often wrote about Mount Fuji. His debut poetry collection Akikaru includes several poems about viewing Fuji from Hakone. Later collections like Aratama, Sekisen, and Takahara feature poems inspired by seeing Mount Fuji from an airplane.
Wakayama Bokusui (1885–1928): A Lifelong Love for Fuji
Known as Japan’s wandering poet, Wakayama Bokusui was deeply enamored with Mount Fuji. He even named his sons “Tabibito” (Traveler) and “Fujibito” (Fuji Man). In 1920, he moved with his family to Numazu to live near the mountain he adored. His poetry collections such as Umi no Koe, Keikoku-shū, and Yamazakura no Uta contain numerous poems about Mount Fuji.
Osamu Dazai (1909–1948): “Fuji Suits Moonflowers”
Dazai’s novella Fugaku Hyakkei (One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji) is among his most famous works featuring the mountain. Written during his stay at Tenka Chaya near Misaka Pass in 1938, Dazai reflects on local life and personal struggles while admiring Mount Fuji:
“Standing tall at 3,778 meters—unwavering and dignified—Mount Fuji pairs perfectly with moonflowers.”
Jirō Nitta (1912–1980): A Mountain Novelist
Jirō Nitta was both a meteorologist and Naoki Prize-winning author known for his mountaineering novels. He played a key role in constructing the weather radar atop Mount Fuji before dedicating himself fully to writing.
His notable works include:
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Kyōryoku-den: A Naoki Prize-winning novel about mountaineering life.
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Fujisan-chō: Depicts the construction of the weather radar on Mount Fuji’s summit.
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Fuyō no Hito: Chronicles winter weather observations on Mount Fuji during the Meiji era.
Conclusion
From Masaoka Shiki’s poetic admiration to Jirō Nitta’s mountaineering novels, modern literature has preserved countless perspectives on Mount Fuji’s grandeur. The mountain continues to inspire writers across genres—its beauty transcending time and connecting generations through art.
As we conclude this series on Mount Fuji’s literary legacy, we hope these stories deepen your appreciation for Japan’s most iconic peak!
