In the shadow of Waleyites: authority, creativity, and the translation of modern Japanese poetry

This article describes briefly the dominant translation approaches and reception trends of English language translations of Japanese literature in the early post WWII period, and analyses and positions, against these trends, the diverse approaches of some early translations of modern Japanese free verse poetry. The translational atmosphere of the times was largely set by the influence of Arthur Waley and his successors. The dominant translation method espoused by this group generally condoned accuracy while condemning literalism and asserting the creative control of the translator. The central clique of translator-scholars did not initially engage with modern Japanese poetry, and thus the first book-length translations of individual poets came from the periphery, notably from translators who were not experts in Japanese literature. Their diverse approaches—interpretive, free, and source language oriented—showed both the influence of the Waley method and the translators’ willingness to assert their own creativity in new forms that challenged the authoritative approach to translation