Japan’s Toyo Shibata was 92 when she started writing poetry. Her self-published anthology, “Kujikenaide,” (Don’t Lose Heart) has sold 1.5 million copies in Japan since its publication in 2009. With sales like that, I’m sure American publishers will take note. Now that her story has been published in Reuters and is being picked up by mainstream media around the world, I’m hopeful that it’s only a matter of time before her book hits the shelves in the U.S. I definitely plan to be in line to buy it.
For more information, here’s “A Little Encouragement” from the blog, From Tokyo to the World.
Away with Words 
I read about her yesterday and commented that if SHE isn’t an inspiration for all of us writers, or human beings… then we have to look over our qualifications of what inspiration is! There is hope for us all, but I think in her case, good genes and a quick wit helped too!
Shibata is definitely an inspiration for poets who are starting out seriously in or past their middle years.
Wow. There’s hope for me yet! Inspiring woman. Thanks for posting this. Peace…
I’m really glad to see more people out there interested in Ms. Shibata’s work, so I updated my post to include the full translation of the poem she read — my translation, anyway!
I’m going to get a copy of her book soon and keep posting home translations. If anyone more poetic than I also speaks Japanese and would like to lend a hand, please do!
Nice to meet you. I have never known this book although I live in Japan. I will check this book at book store. Thanks.
Olivia, I wanted to let you know I posted three new translations of Toyo’s poems if you and your readers are interested!