Shintaishi-shō

The Shintaishi-shō (1882), meaning "Selection of Poems in the New Style," was a pioneering collection in Japanese literature. It included translations of Western poetry and original poems by Japanese writers, adopting foreign poetic genres. This collection marked a significant shift by introducing new forms and themes previously absent in traditional Japanese poetry like tanka and haiku. The translators emphasized that Western poetry, though varied, used ordinary language and explored a broader range of human experiences. This introduction of Western influences led to the creation of new Japanese literary forms, demonstrating a willingness to integrate foreign ideas while still respecting traditional literary heritage.1