Saitō Ryokuu


Saitō Masaru, better known by his pen name Saitō Ryokuu, was a Japanese author and critic who lived during the Meiji Era. His Dharma name was Shungyōin Ryokuu Suikaku Koji, which was chosen by Kōda Rohan.

Biography

In 1896, with Mori Ōgai and Kōda Rohan, Ryokuu started a literary journal, Mezamashi gusa in which Takekurabe by Ichiyō Higuchi was met with high critical acclaim. After Ichiyō died on November of that year, Ryokuu helped her mother and sister make a living although he was far from being well-off. His literary friends include Shūsui Kōtoku, Baba Kochō and Tekkan Yosano.
Ryokuu was a distinguished aphorist, as well as one of the most outspoken critics. Collections of his aphorisms were published in the late 20th century.
In 1904, the tuberculosis which had plagued Ryokuu for years worsened, and no medical care helped him recuperate. On his deathbed, he referred Ichiyō's diaries, which he had hoped to publish, to Baba Kochō, and dictated him his own obituary. He died in the morning of 13 April of the same year.