About Kin'ichi Sawaki
Lived 1919 – 2001 (aged 82). Kin'ichi Sawaki was a Japanese poet, writer and university teacher.
Kin’ichi Sawaki (; October 6, 1919 – November 5, 2001) was a Japanese haiku poet and essayist.
Sawaki was born in Toyama. Since his father worked as a teacher in Korea, he spent his childhood in Korea until he graduated from junior high school. He studied at the University of Tokyo. In 1946, he founded the magazine Kaze ("Wind"). He advocated for the idea of "social haiku" in the magazine. In 1966, he was appointed Professor at the Tokyo University of the Arts.
From 1987 to 1993, he was president of the Association of Haiku Poets. In 1993, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class. He also won the Dakotsu Prize in 1996.
He was married to the poet Ayako Hosomi.
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Important facts
People in Kin'ichi Sawaki's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Kin'ichi Sawaki?
Japanese poet and writer
When was Kin'ichi Sawaki born?
Kin'ichi Sawaki was born on 6 October 1919 in Toyama.
When did Kin'ichi Sawaki die?
Kin'ichi Sawaki died on 5 November 2001 in Tokyo.
What was Kin'ichi Sawaki's occupation?
Kin'ichi Sawaki was a poet, writer and university teacher.
What nationality was Kin'ichi Sawaki?
Kin'ichi Sawaki was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kin'ichi Sawaki. https://biography.guide/kin-ichi-sawaki/
MLA: "Kin'ichi Sawaki." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kin-ichi-sawaki/.
Chicago: "Kin'ichi Sawaki." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kin-ichi-sawaki/.
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