Ueda Akinari

Prominent 18th-century Japanese author, scholar, and waka poet.

Chronology: 1734-07-25 – 1809-08-08

Origins & Early Life

Ueda Akinari or Ueda Shūsei (上田秋成; Japanese pronunciation: [ɯ.e.da (|) a.kʲiꜜ.na.ɾʲi], July 25, 1734 in Osaka – August 8, 1809 in Kyoto) was a Japanese author, scholar and waka poet, and a prominent literary figure in 18th-century Japan. He was an early writer in the yomihon genre and his two masterpieces, Ugetsu Monogatari ("Tales of Rain and the Moon") and Harusame Monogatari ("Tales of Spring Rain"), are central to the canon of Japanese literature. == Biography == Born to an Osaka prostitute and an unknown father, Ueda was adopted in his fourth year by a wealthy merchant who reared him in comfort and provided him with a good education. As a child he became gravely ill with smallpox, and although he survived, he was left with deformed fingers on both hands.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During his illness, his parents prayed to the god of the Kashima Inari Shrine, and Ueda felt that this deity had intervened and saved his life. Throughout his life he remained a strong believer in the supernatural, and this belief seems to inform important elements of his literature and scholarship such as his most famous work, a collection of ghost stories titled Ugetsu Monogatari. He inherited the Ueda family oil and paper business...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Source: Wikipedia