Kurushima Takehiko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kurushima Takehiko
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| Native name |
久留島 武彦
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| Born | June 19, 1874 Mori Town, Kusu District (currently Kusu Town) in Ōita Prefecture |
| Died | June 27, 1960 (aged 86) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Education | Ōita Middle School |
| Alma mater | Kwansei Gakuin University |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Notable works | Yūyake Koyake |
| Relatives | Kurushima Michifusa, Kurushima Michiyasu |
Kurushima Takehiko (久留島 武彦, June 19, 1874 – June 27, 1960) was a famous children's literature author from Japan. Many people called him "the Japanese Hans Christian Andersen" because he was so good at telling stories. He was one of the three most important Japanese writers who told children's stories live to audiences. One of his most well-known works is the nursery rhyme "Yūyake Koyake".
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Life and Career
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Early Life and Education
Takehiko was born in 1874 in Mori Town, which is now Kusu Town in Ōita Prefecture. His family was very old and important. He was a direct descendant of Kurushima Michifusa (来島 通総). His grandfather, Kurushima Michiyasu (久留島 通靖), was the last leader of the Mori area.
In 1887, Takehiko started at Ōita Middle School. There, he met an American priest named Mr. Wainwright. Mr. Wainwright was his English teacher. Because of Mr. and Mrs. Wainwright, Takehiko started to love telling stories to children at Sunday School.
Later, Takehiko and Mr. Wainwright both moved to Kwansei Gakuin University. Takehiko graduated from this university.
Military Service and Early Writing
After finishing college, Takehiko joined the army. He served during the First Sino-Japanese War. While he was in the army, he started writing. He used the pen name Onoe Shinbee (尾上 新兵衛). His stories were accepted by Iwaya Sazanami (巌谷 小波), a main writer for a magazine called Shōnen Sekai (少年世界) (which means "World for Boys"). Takehiko then began to write stories about military life. During this time, he also met another famous writer, Ozaki Kōyō.
Storytelling Tours and Kindergarten
After returning to Japan, Takehiko worked for the Kobe Shimbun newspaper. In 1906, he started a big tour across Japan. He traveled around and read children's stories. He visited over 6,000 kindergartens and elementary schools!
After his tour, in 1910, Takehiko decided to open his own school. He founded Sawarabi Kindergarten.
Connecting with Hans Christian Andersen
In 1924, Takehiko and Iwaya Sazanami became advisors for a new group. This group was called the Japanese Children's Story Guild (日本童話連盟, Nihon Dōwa Renmei).
Also in 1924, Takehiko helped start the Scouting movement in Japan. He was part of a group that went to the Second World Scout Jamboree in Denmark. He was the deputy leader for the Japanese team.
While in Denmark, Takehiko visited Odense. This is the city where Hans Christian Andersen was born. Takehiko was sad to see that Andersen's birth house was used like a storage room. He also saw that Andersen's grave was not being cared for. Takehiko spoke to the local newspaper and other people he met. He asked them to remember Andersen's importance. The Danish people were touched by his care. Because of this, they started calling Takehiko "the Japanese Hans Christian Andersen".
Later Life and Legacy
In 1945, during World War II, Takehiko's home in Tokyo was destroyed. His Sawarabi Kindergarten also burned down during air raids.
In 1949, he moved to a house called Kōseki-An (香積庵). This house was built inside the grounds of Denkōji (傳香寺) temple.
Related Items and Memorials
- The Kurushima Takehiko Culture Prize: This award is given to people or groups who help children's literature. It is given by the Japanese Culture Center for Youths and Children.
- The Children's Story Plaque: This plaque is in Mishima Park in Kusu, Oita Prefecture. It was put there in 1950 to celebrate Takehiko's 50 years of writing children's stories. A Japanese Children's Story Festival is held there every year on May 5.
- Kurushima Takehiko Memorial Hall: This museum is also in Mishima Park in Mori District, Oita Prefecture.
- Plaque marking the site of his home: There is a plaque in the grounds of Denkō-ji temple in Nara, Nara Prefecture. It marks where Kurushima Takehiko's home used to be.
