TOWADA LAKE OTOME NO ZOU, THE MAIDENS, STATUE BY KOTARO TAKAMURA |
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Kotaro Takamura was a well known sculptor and poet born in 1883.
Kotaro's poetry expressed his feelings towards westernization
which often put him at odds with, the majority, public opinion. Kotaro met Chieko a talented, rebellious, feminist, artist and writer a perfect match that lead to an unconventional marriage. Which would subject Chieko to a life of opposition from those who thought she was not behaving as a conventional Japanese wife should. Chieko had other worries, she was a schizophrenic, and struggled with this mental illness until her early death at the young age of 52. Kotaro's poem's share and breath life into what was the mind of Chieko but most undoubtedly Takamura-san is best known for his poetic anthology "Chieko's Sky" which still enchants readers today. Kotaro's last commissioned sculpture is still found in Towada Lake, called Otome No Zou, The maidens. It is believed they were fashioned after his very own Chieko ... the woman he knew, loved and adored and the schizophrenic version of her. The two in a stand offish position. |
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Further Readings: Kotaro's Poetry translated by Paul Archer Chieko's Dream - All about Chieko. Chieko's Sky Book:
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The Maidens