●Nankichi around the time he wrote Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) Corridor of Handa No. 2 Elementary School, 1931
Children's Stories - Novels
“Everyone carries sorrow with them. I am not the only one to do so. I have
to go on enduring my own sorrow.” From Dendenmushi-no Kanashimi (The Sorrow
of a Snail), 1935
Poems - Children’s Songs
When you’re sad,
blow through some shells.
Put two together and breathe in.
Blow through them gently.
From Kaigara (Shells), 1934
Haiku
Fuyu-bare ya, omaru senbei, yane ni hosu - A fine winter’s day, big round
rice crackers, drying on the roof, 1938 (not confirmed)
Tanka (31-syllable Poems)
Waga haha-mo, waga oji-mo mina, yoshi-seshi, ware mata misoji-o, koeji-to
omou-yo - My mother, my uncle too, both died young, I think I too, will
not live past 30, 1931
Drama
Child: My mother has disappeared somewhere below.
God: Really. Well, she’ll be back before long, won’t she. Alright. I’ll
turn you into a stone until your mother comes back, so that the hunters
don’t try to get you. Now, just come up above the water here.
From Chidori (Plover), 1939
Essays
We are nothing more than fireflies going to the bottom of interminable
darkness. Each one of us has a light on our bottoms. But it is only a small
light.
From Hotaru no Lantern (Firefly Lanterns), 1935
●If you would like to read through Nankichi’s works at your leisure, please go to the library.
After lunchtime, Gon went to the village graveyard and hid in the shade
of the Six Jizo statues. The weather was fine, and sunshine gleamed off
the roof tiles of a distant castle. Blooming spider lilies covered the
graveyard like a red cloth.
Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox)
Next to the Museum is Nakayama (Dowa-no Mori [Children’s Story Forest]), which appears in the story as the site of a castle. Nankichi set Gon, the Little Fox in this area where he was born and grew up. Gon lives in the forest not far from Nakayama. It is thought that Mt. Gongen might have been the inspiration. And flowing nearby the Museum is Yakachi River, which is depicted in the story as the village’s stream.
●Nakayama
According to oral history, a castle stood in Nakayama (present-day Dowa-no
Mori), and that “Lord Nakayama” governed Yanabe, from the late Sengoku
period (1467-1590) to the start of the Edo period (1603-1868).
●Six Jizo Statues (Kitadani Cemetery)
Long ago on the site of the present-day Yanabe Community Center was the
local cemetery, where there stood Six Jizo Statues.
●Mt. Gongen
●Yakachi River
Nankichi Niimi often depicts Handa, his birthplace in his writings. Gon, the Little Fox features a lot of what Nankichi saw and heard there.
●The harikiri net: Please see the net hanging above.
You trap fish by stretching the Y-shaped net between stakes driven into
the bottom of the stream, so that the fish go into the cylindrical section
in the center. It was mainly used after continuous rain or typhoons to
catch eels returning from upstream to the sea to spawn. It is called a
harikiri (“fully stretched”) net because it is fully stretched across the
stream. (This net is 6-m long.)
●Harikiri net expert, Hyoju Ebata
Hyoju Ebata (1893-1940) is said to be the inspiration for the character
Hyoju. A farmer from Yanabe Shinden, in winter he also hunted pheasants
and ducks and trapped fish using a harikiri net after typhoons or continuous
rain. Nankichi asked his classmates about harikiri nets and is taught Hyoju’s
method.
Hyoju had rolled up his threadbare black clothes, gone into the water up to his waist, and was shaking the fishing net, called a harikiri net.
●Nakayama family members
Descendants of “Lord Nakayama” lived near Nankichi’s home, and the two
families used to spend time together.
It is said that a small castle used to stand in Nakayama, and that there
was a nobleman called Lord Nakayama.
●The red well
This well is Tokoname ware, which has a reddish-brown color. An actual
well is on display in the Museum’s courtyard.
●Fox mound commemorating the fox Rokuzo to this day
Rokuzo was a fox who actually lived in Yanabe from the Taisho era to the
early Showa era. There is a story that a farmer once shared his lunch with
this fox, who returned the favor by bringing to him the cigarettes he had
left behind.
Early Childhood
Nankichi is born on July 30, 1913, the second son to Tazo Watanabe, who
runs a tatami shop in Yanabe. His older brother Shohachi dies soon after
birth, so he inherits that name. When Nankichi is 4, his birth-mother Rie
dies of illness.
The next year, Tazo remarries Shin, who joins the family as Nankichi’s
stepmother. Then his younger paternal half-brother Masukichi is born 5
years after Nankichi.
●The Watanabe family home, where Nankichi (Shohachi) grows up
To the left of the front entrance is where his mother Shin runs a geta
(clog) shop, and to the right is where his father Tazo runs a tatami shop.
●The night light in front of his birth home
●The hole where he played a game called kusa-tsuki (pounding grass with a rock)
The successor to his birth-mother Rie’s parental home dies in 1921, so he is adopted during 2nd-year in elementary school, and takes the name Shohachi Niimi. He stays in this home in Yanabe Shinden for 5 months, but he cannot bear living just with his grandmother and returns to the Watanabe family home.
●The Niimi family home, into which Nankichi (Shohachi) is adopted
(Nankichi’s Home, Branch Museum, Kamiya Art Museum Inc.)
Handa, Nankichi’s Birthplace
Handa prospers as the central city on the Chita Peninsula from the Meiji
era through Taisho and Showa eras. Brewing and weaving flourish and the
factory that made Kabuto Beer until before WWII still stands, known today
as the Handa Red Brick Building. The products and raw materials are transported
by rail and ship.
Nankichi’s birth-village Yanabe is not as wealthy as the town of Handa,
but his birth-family’s tatami shop is located at the intersection of the
two roads running the length and breadth of Chita Peninsula, and most of
the village shops are there along those roads, including a small candy
shop, a rice cracker shop, and a general goods store.
●Kabuto Beer Handa Factory (Taisho era)
●A road sign near Nankichi’s birth-home
●Chita Peninsula during Nankichi’s early childhood
●Handa Depot (Late Meiji era, present-day JR Handa Station)
●Handa Port
Handa No. 2 Elementary School
Nankichi starts at Handa No. 2 Elementary School in April 1920.
He is a lanky boy who loves books. Some of Nankichi’s works are about childhood
and children’s games. Compulsory education is up to elementary school,
but his results are good, so his teacher talks to his father Tazo, recommending
that Nankichi sit the entrance examination for junior high school (pre-WWII
system).
●Nankichi in a commemorative photo on graduation from elementary school (March 1926)
●District Chief’s Award Certificate
Nankichi achieves excellent results and wins the Chita District Chief’s
Award twice. The school nominated Nankichi for the award under his former
surname, so it appears here as “Watanabe.”
●His first calligraphy in 1st year
●Handa No. 2 Elementary School (present-day Yanabe Elementary School)
About 1931, when Nankichi is a substitute teacher
My school is on the outskirts of the village. On one side there are rice fields. On another side there are mountains. When I look out the school window to the rice fields I see golden ears of rice. (From his Tsuzurikata-cho [Composition Book] in 3rd-year elementary school)
My writings incorporate my innate character, my temperament, and high ideals. Diary entry of March 2, 1929
Handa Junior High School (Pre-WWII System)
After passing the entrance examination, Nankichi attends Handa Junior High School (5-year pre-WWII system) from April 1926. He does his chores at home, reads extensively, dreams of becoming a writer, and submits pieces to magazines. In 1929 (4th-year junior high school) he starts using Nankichi Niimi as his pen name. He studies hard and graduates in 2nd place. He sits the entrance examination for Okazaki Teachers College but fails because he is too thin. He is dogged from that time until his death by a complex about his physical weakness.
●Nankichi on graduation
●Commemorative graduation photo
●Domeishorin, a book shop in Handa that Nankichi frequents
●Handa Junior High School (Pre-WWII system, present-day Handa Senior High School)
His First Substitute Teaching Position (Handa No. 2 Elementary School)
From April 1931, Nankichi works for 5 months as a substitute teacher at his alma mater, Handa No. 2 Elementary School. Nankichi is the classroom teacher to 59 2nd-year elementary school students, he has fun playing games with the children, and reads his own children’s stories to them. Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) is one of those stories, which he is said to read to the 6th-year students.
●Letter of employment
●Commemorative photo on his first day working as a teacher
●After the school arts festival in 1931 (Boys and girls photographed separately)
His 2nd-year students badger him saying “Mr. Niimi, get into the photo
too!”
April 4 (Saturday)
I left the classroom having forgotten to wipe the blackboard, but when
I went to start the next lesson, it had been wiped clean except for a line
of writing at the top. They were too short [omitted] “Aha!” I thought.
[omitted] My heart was filled with such a deep wave of happiness I wanted
to cry and to give the children a good hug one by one... (From his diary)
●Nankichi’s attendance book
May 9 (Saturday)
Every morning I go to school and stamp my seal as a sign that I have attended,
but sadness about the blank spaces is gradually growing. (From his diary)
Japan in Those Days (1927 to 1932)
Japanese economic expansion in WWI is followed by the post-war Great Depression
in 1920, then in 1927, the country is hit by a financial crisis. Banks
close or go bankrupt one after the other, and even in Nankichi’s circles,
some have to give up school because of struggling household finances. In
1931, the Manchurian Incident marks the beginning of the invasion of Manchuria.
The Kwantung Army ignore the non-expansion policy of the Reijiro Wakatsuki
government and expand the front line in Manchuria.
In Handa, the Chita Railway (present-day Meitetsu Kowa Line) opens and
electric trains begin running between Otagawa and Narawa in 1931. Korean
laborers work on building the railway, and they appear in Abuji-no Kuni
(Father’s Country), a story that Nankichi writes in junior high school.
●People descending on a bank to withdraw their savings (1927)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
●The Lytton Commission inspecting a railway in Liutiaogou (1931)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
●Handa-guchi Station under construction (1930)
Possession of Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.
●The road in front of Chita Handa Station when it was opened (1931)
Gon. Was it you? Were you the one giving me chestnuts all this time? (From Gon, the Little Fox)
Submissions to Children’s Magazine Akai Tori
Akai Tori (Red Bird) is a children’s magazine founded by Miekichi Suzuki in 1918. Publications are suspended in 1929, but resume in 1931. Nankichi’s first accepted piece is his children’s song Mado (Window), in the May 1931 edition. A succession of his pieces are subsequently accepted. His children’s story Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) is published in the January 1932 edition.
●Akai Tori 1st Edition (1918)
Self-published Children’s Song Magazine Chichi-no Ki and His Move to Tokyo.
Nankichi looked up to Hakushu Kitahara, a selector of submissions to the
children’s song section of the magazine Akai Tori. Chichi-no Ki is a children’s
song magazine self-published by young poets under Hakushu’s guidance. Nankichi
joins the group in September 1931, forming relations that prompt him to
send a letter to group member Seika Tatsumi.
Relying on Seika for support, Nankichi moves to Tokyo, sits the entrance
examination for Tokyo Higher Teachers College, meets Hakushu for the first
time, and is also introduced to literary figures including Junichi Yoda.
He fails the examination, but his admiration for Tokyo grows stronger.
●Chichi-no Ki Sakkyoku-go (Chichi-no Ki Musical Composition Edition), in which Nankichi’s Ichi Retsu (Single Line) appears (1931)
First Love
●Minako Kimoto
The eldest daughter of a family running a weaving shop in Yanabe. She is
an elementary school classmate of Nankichi. Nankichi falls in love with
Minako in his junior high school days, describing Minako in his diaries
as “Madonna” and “My Venus.” When Nankichi starts as a substitute teacher
in Yanabe in 1931, one of the students in his class is Minako’s younger
brother, which leads the two to begin dating.
●Miekichi Suzuki (1882-1936)
Courtesy of Mr. Junkichi Suzuki
Editor of Akai Tori (Red Bird).
●Hakushu Kitahara (1885-1942)
Courtesy of (Kozai) Kitahara Hakushu Seika Kinen Zaidan (Hakushu Kitahara’s
Birthplace and Memorial Foundation Inc.)
Representative work: Ame Furi (A Rainy Day)
Ame ame, fure fure, Kaasan-ga... - Rain rain, fall fall, Mom will...
Hakushu’s Followers Senior to Nankichi
●Seika Tatsumi (1905-1973)
Courtesy of Mr. Yoshimi Nomura
Publishes Chichi-no Ki
Representative work: Takibi (Autumn Leaf Burning)
Kakine-no, kakine-no magari-kado... - The hedge, the hedge corner...
●Junichi Yoda (1905-1997)
Courtesy of Junichi Yoda Memorial Hall
Publishes Chichi-no Ki
Representative work: Kotori-no Uta (Little Bird Song)
Kotori-wa tottemo uta-ga suki... - Little birds just love to sing...
Seika Tatsumi as Older Brother
After returning home in 1932, Nankichi writes letters to Hakushu Kitahara and Seika Tatsumi thanking them for his time in Tokyo. On Seika’s urging, he sits the entrance examination for the Tokyo School of Foreign Languages in spring that year, and passes. When he first goes to Tokyo, Nankichi is put up by Seika, but after Seika marries, he moves into a nearby student dormitory. But their close relationship continues with Nankichi going to Seika’s for dinner, and so on. Seika helps nurture and develop Nankichi’s literary talent over his lifetime.
●With Seika Tatsumi’s family (Ueno, Tokyo, 1935)
●Something Nankichi put down in the Ars Notebook he receives from Seika when returning to Handa
Tokyo School of Foreign Languages
Nankichi studies English literature at the Tokyo School of Foreign Languages for 4 years starting in April 1932. Not only does he work hard in his studies, but he also listens to records and discusses literature and art in cafes with his friends, and often goes to see plays, movies, and so on.
●Tokyo School of Foreign Languages (present-day Tokyo University of Foreign Studies), which was near Takehashi Bridge, Imperial Palace
●Nankichi in his Tokyo School of Foreign Languages days
●Meine Kleine cafe, which appears in his diaries
●Nankichi in female costume in the English play King Lear (1935)
●1st meeting of the Friends of Kenji Miyazawa (1934)
Nankichi and Kenji Miyazawa are not acquaintances, but Nankichi becomes
interested in Kenji through Seika Tatsumi, who is also from Iwate. Kenji
dies in 1933 and Nankichi attends a memorial service at Mon Ami, in Shinjuku.
Nankichi holds Kenji in high esteem for his whole life, later praising
Kenji a in letters as a genius.
Japan in Those Days (1932-1936)
Foundation of Manchukuo is spearheaded by the Kwantung Army in 1932. The following year, Japan receives criticism from international society and withdraws from the League of Nations. In 1936, young officers stage the February 26 Incident, occupying the area around the National Diet Building and Prime Minister’s official residence. At the Tokyo School of Foreign Languages near the Imperial Palace, Nankichi should be sitting his final examination, but it is cancelled.
●The Great Manchu Nation Leaflet from early Showa era
Collection of Nagoya City Museum
●Insurgent troops occupying the front of the National Diet Building (February 26 Incident, 1936)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
I wonder if humankind really is good. From Tebukuro wo Kai-ni (Buying Mittens)
Literary Activities in Tokyo
In 1933, Nankichi’s mentor Hakushu Kitahara parts ways with Miekichi Suzuki
and Hakushu’s followers also cease involvement with Akai Tori. In the same
year, even Chichi-no Ki suspends publication and Nankichi loses an important
channel for publication of his works.
It is the children’s magazines Kashikoi Ichi-nen Shogakusei (Clever First
Year Elementary School Students) and Kashikoi Ni-nen Shogakusei (Clever
Second Year Elementary School Students, both published by Seibunkan) that
provide Nankichi with opportunities to publish. There is unexpected talk
about Nankichi publishing a collection of children’s stories, not just
magazine pieces. It is an offer to Seika Tatsumi, who tries to pass it
on to Nankichi. But in the end, the publisher decides it is not a good
idea to publish an unknown newcomer, yet about 20 of Nankichi’s surviving
nursery stories are written around this time (May 1935).
●At Meiji-jingu Shrine (1933)
●Celebration to commemorate the publication of Yoshi Tago’s Kurara Saku Koro (When the Sophora Blooms)
●Urarete-itta Kutsu (The Sold Shoes), Kashikoi Ichi-nen Shogakusei (Clever First Year Elementary School Students), January 1933 edition
Illness, Despair, and Return Home
Nankichi coughs up blood for the first time in February 1934. He recuperates and returns to Tokyo School of Foreign Languages, but he is troubled about his relationship with his girlfriend Minako, due to his illness causing uncertainty about their possible life together after marriage, and in summer 1935 they separate. Nankichi graduates from Tokyo School of Foreign Languages in March 1936, but despite looking cannot find the work he is hoping for, and in May he takes a job at the Tokyo Souvenir Association, in the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Marunouchi. But in October he coughs up blood once again. Nankichi gives up living in Tokyo and returns to Yanabe. He writes about the village at the time, as well as his feelings, in a novel Kikyo (Homecoming).
●Cafe Kagashiya
A cafe in Handa that Nankichi frequents after returning home.
●Diary entry of March 1, 1937
Nankichi is troubled by solitude stemming from his ill health, he reads
Dostoevsky and decides to put his energies into “building self-sacrifice
together with love without seeking reward.”
Appointment as substitute teacher at Kowa No. 1 Higher Elementary School
Nankichi works as a substitute teacher at Kowa No. 1 Higher Elementary
School for 4 months from April 1937. It is a beautiful elementary school
overlooking the sea where he takes charge of 64 4th-year students and also
teaches the advanced English course.
Nankichi is still in poor health, but on one occasion some children find
him gasping his way up the hill to the school and help by pushing him up.
Umeko Yamada is the teacher whose desk is next to Nankichi’s in the staff
room. She offers advice about lesson plans, shares nutritious food with
him, and becomes a close friend. Life as a teacher at Kowa gives Nankichi
“a fleeting taste of happiness,” lifting his spirits after his painful
homecoming.
●Kowa Station at the time
●The route of his commute to Kowa from Handa
●Kowa No. 1 Higher Elementary School
●Umeko Yamada
She is a colleague at Kowa No. 1 Higher Elementary School. After Nankichi
leaves the elementary school, they keep in touch through letters, for a
time it seems they consider marriage, but the pair do not get together.
●View of the sea from a hill on his way to school
In April I started working as a substitute teacher at Kowa, a small seaside
town. (Omitted)
Here I am enjoying a fleeting taste of happiness. (Omitted) This has taught
me that life is not mere fruitlessness. (Letter to Seika Tatsumi postmarked
June 5, 1937)
Japan in Those Days (1937-1938)
Sino-Japanese war breaks out in July 1937. Initial victories are reported
in the news and the wartime economy booms, but as the war drags on, its
impact on the lives of the Japanese people intensifies.
In October the same year, Handa City is born, the 6th in Aichi Prefecture,
with a population of a little over 50,000.
●Troops crossing Marco Polo Bridge (Sino-Japanese war, 1937)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
●Handa City Government ceremony (1937)
In other words, I have joined the common struggle for survival, without realizing it. (Diary entry of December 12, 1937)
Employment at Sugiji Shokai (Sugiji & Co., Ltd.)
Nankichi is employed by a livestock feed supplier, Sugiji Shokai, in September 1937. Sugiji Shokai boasts a 40% share of the livestock feed market in Japan at the time and owns a large farm at Mt. Karasune in the southwest of Handa. Nankichi is assigned to the brooding department where they look after chicks, and he lives with other workers in a dormitory. The work is hard and the pay is 16 yen in the hand. In December he is transferred to the accounting section in the Handa Port factory. His diary tells us he is enthusiastic about being assigned all the translation work, but life is tough, both financially and mentally.
●Narawa confectionery shops (about 1935)
Narawa is an old town with many confectionery shops. (Omitted) Yesterday
I went to a confectionery shop called Kikuya and got 1 steamed azuki-bean
jelly cake and 2 rice jelly cakes for 10 sen. (Omitted) The joy of going
home with sweets in my pocket has changed little from my childhood. Diary
entry of December 14, 1937
●Arriving for work in the morning
The port-factory employees assemble with their bicycles then call out all
together, “Itte kimasu” (“We’re going now”) before heading off down Mt.
Karasune. The car in the foreground is for the managers.
●Diary entry of October 27, 1937
I had the thought that when life is tough, humans cannot rid themselves
of ego, and that it is important to live life with an awareness of that.
●Chicken sheds and sheep sheds dotting Mt. Karasune (Poultry Research Station)
●Sugiji Shokai factory with railway extending into it
●Chicken sheds
●Location of Sugiji Shokai when Nankichi worked there
Teaching at Anjo Girls’ Senior High School
Nankichi starts as a teacher at Anjo Girls’ Senior High School (Anjo Girls’
High) in April 1938. This is with the help of his teachers from junior
high school, Katsumi Saji and Shinichi Endo, out of concern for Nankichi
about his life at Sugiji Shokai. He and his family are overjoyed. At the
time, the whole of Hekikai District, which includes Anjo, is an advanced
agriculture region known as “Japan’s Denmark.” Nankichi is given charge
of the 1st-year students (19th class) and teaches them English language
and composition, as well as farming. His monthly salary is 70 yen, which
finally provides him mental as well as financial stability.
His school life is rewarding, he edits and produces Anjo Ko Jo Gakuho (Anjo
Girls’ High School Newsletter) and the student poetry anthology, and takes
the students on school excursions and trips. However, the Sino-Japanese
war, which started the year before, drags on gradually imposing restrictions
on such activities.
●The route of his commute to Anjo from Handa
●Anjo Girls’ Senior High School teaching staff (1939)
● From the student poetry anthology Yuki-to Hibari (Snow and Lark)
Collection of Anjo City Museum of History
Nankichi begins collating the students’ poems in February 1939 and produces
an anthology using a stencil duplicator. Nankichi’s poem Dedemushi (Snail)
appears on the opening page of the 1st edition. However, wartime conditions
cause a paper shortage and production of the anthology is suspended after
the 6th edition in September that year.
●Katsumi Saji, the Principal
Nankichi’s teacher in junior high, he is principal at Anjo Girls’ High
and takes Nankichi under his wing.
●Excursion to Iwazu Tenjin Shrine (1941)
●Anjo Girls’ Senior High School in those days
Japan in Those Days (1938-1940)
World War II breaks out in Europe in 1939. Japan’s war against China is still ongoing, and in 1940 the government concludes the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. War begins impacting the lives of the Japanese people as military demand takes priority. Matches and sugar are rationed using coupons, and males are forced to wear the “national uniform.”
●Attendees giving three cheers at a ceremony commemorating the 2,600th anniversary
of Emperor Jinmu’s accession to the throne (1940)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
●Stacked bags of sugar for rationing (1940)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
Kono machi-ni, haya sumi-narete, natsu matsuri Jimei ([literally] Now used to living, in this neighborhood, summer festival). (Jimei [literally “ringing in the ears”] is one of Nankichi’s haiku pen names.)
Nankichi in His Prime
Nankichi focuses on writing poetry in his first year teaching, but the
following year, 1939, he returns to children’s stories and other writing.
Shinichi Eguchi, a friend from Nankichi’s Tokyo days, works at the Harbin
Nichi-Nichi Shimbun (Harbin Daily Newspaper), so Nankichi submits pieces
including Saigo-no Kokyu Hiki (The Last Player of a Chinese Fiddle) and
Kyusuke-kun-no Hanashi (Kyusuke’s Tale), which helps him polish his skills.
He is also favored by fortune with opportunities to publish, Kawa (B) (River
[B])* in the magazine Shin Jido Bunka (New Children’s Culture) and Zeni
(Money) in Fujokai (Women's World). While Nankichi notes in his diary his
joy about the publications, he admonishes himself for being weak and fearful
in the face of success.
* There is another work by Nankichi called Kawa (River), and they are distinguished
with “A” and “B.”
●Nankichi in front of the school (1941)
●Chie Nakayama
A descendent of “Lord Nakayama,” who appears in Gon, the Little Fox. She
remains a close friend of Nankichi’s from their school days, and becomes
a doctor after graduating from Tokyo Women’s Medical School. She frequently
appears in Nankichi’s diary from about the spring of 1938 and on New Year’s
day 1939 he writes of his hope that “She will probably be my companion
for half my life,” however, she dies suddenly in June 1940.
●Scrapbook page with Kyusuke-kun-no Hanashi (Kyusuke’s Tale) cut out of the Harbin Nichi-Nichi Shimbun (Harbin Daily Newspaper) (November 1939)
●Kawa (B) (River [B]), Shin Jido Bunka (New Children’s Culture) (1940)
●Zeni (Money), Fujokai (Women's World) (1940)
Collection of the National Diet Library
●Lodgings in Anjo
At first, Nankichi commutes from Handa, but he finds lodgings with the
Omi family in a neighborhood of Anjo called Dego (commonly known as Shinden)
in April 1939. Here he devotes himself to his writing.
His First Book Ryokan Monogatari - Temari-to Hachi-no Ko
●Ryokan Monogatari - Temari-to Hachi-no Ko (The Tale of Ryokan - A Ball
and a Begging Bowl)
Nankichi receives a commission from Gakushusha (publishers) to write a
biography. He completes Ryokan Monogatari - Temari-to Hachi-no Ko (The
Tale of Ryokan - A Ball and a Begging Bowl), the biography of a famous
Buddhist monk from the Edo period in just 3 months starting in January
1941. It is published in October that year. To Nankichi, this is his first
book publication. It sells well and is subsequently reprinted numerous
times, but his health deteriorates, possibly due to the strain of writing,
and his unease about dying intensifies.
●Masukichi and Nankichi (right) taking a walk in Nagoya
●His major works around this time
Ryokan Monogatari - Temari-to Hachi-no Ko (The Tale of Ryokan - A Ball
and a Begging Bowl) , January to March 1941
Uso (The Lie) , 1941/6/1
Yama-kara Kuru Shonen (The Young Man From the Mountains) , 1941/11/9
Uta Dokei (The Musical Watch) , 1941/11/1
Gongoro Gane (The Gongoro Bell) , 1942/3/26
Bimbo-na Shonen-no Hanashi (The Story of the Poor Young Man) , 1942/3/1
Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's Lamp) , 1942/4/2
Ushi-wo Tsunaida Tsubaki-no Ki (The Camellia Tree to Which an Ox Was Tied)
, 1942/5/19
Kusa (Grass) , 1942/5/29
Hyakusho-no Ashi, Bosan-no Ashi (Farmers’ Feet, Monks’ Feet) , 1942/5/1
Hananoki-mura-to Nusubito-tachi (Hananoki Village and the Thieves) , 1942/5/1
Wataro-san-to Ushi (Wataro and the Cow) , 1942/5/1
Toriemon Shokoku-wo Meguru (The Travels of Toriemon) , 1942/5/1
* Includes verification of production dates by Seika Tatsumi.
His First Children’s Story Collection, Ojiisan-no Lamp
●Children’s story collection Ojiisan-no Lamp Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's
Lamp)
Publishers discuss publication of 3 collections of children’s stories with
Nankichi.
So, he writes piece after piece, despite his illness, from March to May
1942. And in October, Yukosha publishes his first children’s story collection,
Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's Lamp), with the help of Seika Tatsumi. Shiko
Munakata takes charge of the illustrations.
●Contents
●Commemorative graduation photo of the 19th class, which Nankichi is in
charge of for 4 years
The 54 students that Nankichi has taken charge of at Anjo Girls’ High since
1st-year graduate in March 1942.
●A card that Nankichi wrote a poem on and gave to Sada Goto, one of his
students, as a graduation commemoration
Collection of Anjo City Museum of History
Japan in Those Days (1941-1943)
The Pacific War breaks out against the United States and Britain in December
1941. Supplies run short, goods and foods are substituted more and more,
and temple bells are handed over to the government. Nankichi’s writings
reflect social conditions, including his story Gongoro Gane (Gongoro Bell).
At Higashiyama Zoo, Nagoya, which Nankichi has visited, the beasts of prey
are shot, up until the end of the war, while many other animals die of
starvation.
●Pacific War (attack on Pearl Harbor, 1941)
Courtesy of Mainichi Newspapers
●Bells collected in Handa City
●Training to shoot the lions at Higashiyama Zoo (1943)
Courtesy of Higashiyama Zoo, Nagoya
I’d like to see a collection of children’s stories soon. That is all I think about at the moment. (Postcard to Seika Tatsumi, March 8, 1943)
Nankichi’s End
In August 1942, Nankichi visits hot springs in Nagano and Gunma to rest and write a biography of the great Yako Tsuzuki of Anjo, called the father of the Meiji Canal. His health is poor, however, and he is unable to finish writing it. The only books Nankichi ever manages to actually hold in his hands are the biography Ryokan Monogatari - Temari-to Hachi-no Ko (The Tale of Ryokan - A Ball and a Child at a Basin) and the children’s story collection Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's Lamp). Other books are in preparation for publication, Ushi-wo Tsunaida Tsubaki-no Ki (The Camellia Tree to Which an Ox Was Tied) and Hananoki-mura-to Nusubito-tachi (Hananoki Village and the Thieves), but they are actually published six months after his passing.
●Postcard to one of his students, Yoshiko Sanagi (February 9, 1943)
(Omitted)
Even if my body perishes, if you
few (no matter how few)
go on remembering me
and nurture your hearts to love beautiful things,
then I will live on forever in such hearts.
(Omitted)
●Postcard to one of his students, Junko Takamasa (postmarked February 26, 1943)
In January 1943, Nankichi eventually takes a break from teaching at Anjo Girls’ High and is confined to bed. He puts up with the pain in his throat and completes Kitsune (A Fox) Chiisai Taro-no Kanashimi (Little Taro’s Sorrow), and Ibo (Warts), but puts his pen down before finishing Tengu (Tengu the Long-nosed Goblin). In February, Nankichi prepares for his death, he resigns from Anjo Girls’ High, gathers together the works he has at hand, and sends them to Seika Tatsumi, asking him to publish them. Nankichi’s students and other people close to him visit him to wish him well, but it is in vain. Tuberculosis of the larynx takes his life on March 22 at the age of 29 years and 7 months.
●Nankichi holding his materials on Yako Tsuzuki
●Nankichi’s last works (December 1942 to 1943) （Title, Pages, Publication/Production date）
Mimi (Ears) 21 sheets 1942/12/26
Kitsune (A Fox) 20 sheets 1943/1/8
Chiisai Taro-no Kanashimi (Little Taro’s Sorrow) 11 sheets 1943/1/9
Ibo (Warts)* 1943/1/16
Tengu (Tengu the Long-nosed Goblin) 21 sheets 1943/1/18-20
* The manuscript for Ibo (Warts) has been lost.
The Steps to Honoring Nankichi
After the war, Seika Tatsumi publishes the manuscripts that Nankichi entrusted
to him, one after the other as children’s story collections. In 1965, he
publishes Niimi Nankichi Zenshu (Nankichi Niimi Complete Works) (Maki Shoten)
Across Japan, his works are widely read and researchers appraise his works
highly.
Meanwhile closer to home, his students erect a monument inscribed with
his poem Dedemushi (Snail) in Anjo in 1948. In Handa too, the Niimi Nankichi
Kenshokai (Association in Honor of Nankichi Niimi) is formed in 1961, and
a monument inscribed with his poem Kaigara (Shells) is erected in Kariyado
Park.
The enthusiasm of local people sustains ongoing projects to honor him,
such as opening his restored adoptive home to the public, opening the Nankichi
Shiryo-shitsu (Nankichi Archive Room), opening his restored birth home
to the public, and in 1994,opening the Niimi Nankichi Kinenkan (Niimi Nankichi
Memorial Museum).
●Some words Seika Tatsumi wrote in a scrapbook on publication of Niimi Nankichi Zenshu (Nankichi Niimi Complete Works) (1965)
●Seika Tatsumi visiting Handa High School on the 17th anniversary of Nankichi’s passing (1959)
●The first monument honoring Nankichi with Dedemushi (Snail) inscribed on it, in 1948 (Anjo Municipal Sakuramachi Elementary School)
●The unveiling ceremony for the monument with inscription of Kaigara (Shells) (1961, Kariyado Park)
●Nankichi Shiryo-shitsu (Nankichi Archive Room), which opened in the Yanabe Community Center in 1977
●Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum opening and unveiling ceremony
Death of Seika Tatsumi and Compilation of a New Complete Works
Seika Tatsumi passes away in 1973 at the age of 68. As Nankichi’s benefactor
he brought Nankichi’s works to widespread attention, nevertheless, he is
also criticized for rewriting several of Nankichi’s works before publishing
them. But Seika believes that because he was entrusted the works by Nankichi,
it is his own responsibility to publish them after rewriting passages that
needed rewriting, or did not fit with the times, on behalf of Nankichi,
who died before he had time to do so himself.
After the death of Seika, the then Niimi Nankichi Chosakuken Kanri Iinkai
(Nankichi Niimi Copyright Management Committee) take over management of
Nankichi’s handwritten papers, which had been kept by Seika, and begin
publishing Kotei - Niimi Nankichi Zenshu (Nankichi Niimi Complete Works
- Revised Edition) in 1980. The committee return all his works to their
original state, as written by Nankichi, which enables readers to trace
the revised parts. It is the first time to do so with a complete collection
of a children’s author.
●Kotei - Niimi Nankichi Zenshu (Nankichi Niimi Complete Works - Revised Edition) (Dainippon Tosho)
Japan in Those Days (1943 on)
War ends with Japan’s surrender in August 1945.
The authorities move ahead with reconstruction of the country following
its devastation by air attacks and development booms with rapid economic
growth from 1955 on. However, damage caused by pollution, such as Minamata
disease and Yokkaichi asthma, becomes a social problem.
The Showa era ends in 1989, and the Heisei era ends in 2019.
●Devastating scenes from the Isewan Typhoon (1959)
●Chita Peninsula Road opening (1970) Courtesy of Taketoyo-cho Rekishi Minzoku Shiryokan (Taketoyo Museum of History and Folklore)
Former Empress Michiko and Nankichi
The former Emperor and Empress pay a visit to the Niimi Nankichi Memorial
Museum in 2010. The former Empress, Michiko-sama, becomes renowned as having
been a fan of Nankichi’s works since her days as Crown Princess.In 1961,
she presents Niimi Nankichi Dowa Zenshu (Nankichi Niimi Children’s Stories
Complete Works) (Dainippon Tosho) to a group of children from a mountainous
region of Fukushima Prefecture in appreciation of the mountain lily bulbs
they send her. She also translates into English 9 of Nankichi’s poems including
Izumi (Spring), to read them out at the Tokyo Eishi Rodokukai (Tokyo English
Poetry Recital).
In 1998 she gives a talk by video to the New Delhi meeting of the International
Board on Books for Young People including her memories of her early childhood
and mentions Dendenmushi-no Kanashimi (The Sorrow of a Snail), one of Nankichi’s
children’s stories.
Most people had been taking Dendenmushi-no Kanashimi (The Sorrow of a Snail)
to be a tale of resignation and acceptance, but her talk sparks reappraisal
of the story as a tale to present to modern-day children who live amid
complex relationships.
●Their Majesties (at the time) attending a storytelling for children at Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum (June 15, 2010)
Publication in Textbooks
Education authorities start including Nankichi’s works in textbooks in 1953 with Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's Lamp) and then Tebukuro wo Kai-ni (Buying Mittens), Amedama (Candy) and so on, making at least 10 works to date. Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) is exceptional and continuously appears in textbooks for 4th-year elementary school students without being excluded once since 1956, and from 1980 on, every textbook company includes it in their publications.
●The textbook that included Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) for the first time The 1956 edition Published by Dainippon Tosho Illustrator: Shigeru Kosaka
●The 1971 edition Published by Mitsumura Tosho Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) Illustrator: Masahiro Kasuya
●Table showing the years in which Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) has
been included in textbooks
* Chukyo Shuppan also included it in the textbook for 3rd-year elementary
school students in 1961.
* Nihon Bunkyo Shuppan published the 2009 Osaka Shoseki edition after taking
over publication.
Publication Overseas
Recently Nankichi Niimi’s works have started to be published in countries across the world, notably China and Korea, as well as Western countries, and so on.
●Works by Nankichi published overseas
Take a look at my prison cell! (Haha!)
●At Meiji-jingu Shrine (1933)
Lodgings During His Tokyo Years
①Home of Seika Tatsumi From April 1932 2-285 Kamitakada, Nakano-ku*
②Tokyo School of Foreign Languages dormitory From September 1932 114 Kamitakada,
Nakano-ku
③Home of Tora Kawamura From May 1933 506 Arai, Nakano-ku
④Matsubakan From spring 1935(?) 1-208 Kamitakada, Nakano-ku
* Nakano-ku (then Nakano Ward) was established in law in October 1932.
Prior to that it was Nogata-machi, Toyotama-gun.
During his Tokyo years, Nankichi lived in Kamitakada and Arai, Nakano-ku.
First, he lived together with the familyshared a room with of Seika Tatsumi,
then after Seika’s marriage, he moved to the dormitory of the nearby Tokyo
School of Foreign Languages. However, he had difficulty getting used to
communal living, rented a small room (3-tatami mats) in the home of Tora
Kawamura, a widow, then rented a 6-mat room at a boarding house called
Matsubakan, his last lodging in Tokyo.
Replicated here is the 3-mat room in the home of Tora Kawamura, where Nankichi
lived from May 1933 to about spring of 1935. Apparently when Nankichi invited
his literary friend Tamiko Shimizu to his room, he said laughing at himself,
“Take a look at my prison cell!” Yet this room is where he brought into
existence numerous works, notably Tebukuro-wo Kai-ni (Buying Mittens),
as well as Oka-no Dozo (The Statue on the Hill), Kodomo-no Suki-na Kami-sama
(The God Who Likes Children), and Osama to Kutsuya (The King and the Shoe
Shop), making it a place where Nankichi sang the praises of youth. The
guiding idea when replicating this room was something Nankichi wrote in
a diary: “a room with a new feel.”
Tora Kawamura’s house survived the wartime fires and was used for a long
time, but it was demolished in 2011. This replica room includes a high
window which is the very window when Nankichi lived in it. It is through
this small, four-sided window that he actually gazed at the sky.
Nankichi in His Childhood
Birth in 1913
Nankichi is born on 30 July, the second son of Tazo Watanabe, who ran a
tatami shop at 86 Higashiyama, Handa Town, Chita District, Aichi Prefecture
(present-day 83 Yanabe Naka-machi 1-chome, Handa City). He inherits the
name of his older brother, Shohachi, who dies at an early age.
1917 (aged 4)
His mother, Rie, dies in November at the young age of 29.
1918 (aged 5)
Around April, his father marries Shin and bring her into the family home
as his new wife.
1919 (aged 6)
His younger brother Masukichi is born, in February.
1920 (aged 7)
Starts school at Handa No. 2 Elementary School (present-day Yanabe Elementary
School), in April.
1921 (aged 8)
Nankichi is adopted into the birth family of his deceased mother Rie (the
Niimi family of Yanabe Shinden) in July, to live just with his grandmother.
Unable to bear continual loneliness without friends, in December he returns
to the Watanabe family home of his father, taking with him the surname
Niimi.
1926 (aged 13)
On graduating, he receives the Chita District Chief’s Award and gives the
valedictory speech on behalf of the graduating students.
In April, he starts at Handa Junior High School (present-day Handa Senior
High School).
Nankichi in His Junior High School Years
1927 (aged 14)
He begins writing numerous children’s songs and stories around this time.
1929 (aged 16)
Nankichi writes 15 children’s stories, including Shosa-to Shinajin-no Hanashi
(The Tale of the Major and the Chinese Man) (from Chokorin), and Ootoko
(The Big Man) (from Ootoko-no Hanashi [The Story of the Big Man]), 122
children’s songs, 33 poems, and 9 other literary works in 1929. He frequently
submits pieces to magazines such as Shonen Club (Youth Club), and starts
using the pen name “Nankichi” around this time. He also self-publishes
a magazine called Orion together with other youngsters from Yanabe.
1931 (aged 18)
Nankichi graduates from Handa Junior High School in March with second top
results, sits the entrance examination for Okazaki Teachers College but
fails the physical examination. He starts as a substitute teacher at his
alma mater, Handa No. 2 Elementary School in April, taking charge of 2nd-year
students.
He starts dating his first girlfriend, Minako Kimoto, in July.
Eight of his children’s songs, notably Mado (Window) appear in the magazine
Akai Tori (Red Bird) in 1931. The children’s stories include Shobo-to Kuro
(Shobo and Kuro, August edition), Chokorin (November edition), and Gon-gitsune
(Gon, the Little Fox, January 1932 edition).
Nankichi goes to Tokyo for the first time at the end of the year and meets
Hakushu Kitahara and Seika Tatsumi.
Nankichi in His Tokyo School of Foreign Languages Years
1932 (aged 19)
Nankichi starts studying English at the Tokyo School of Foreign Languages
(present-day Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) in April and starts sharing
a house with Seika Tatsumi, in Kamitakada, Nakano-ku.
His children’s song Shima (Island) receives special commendation and appears
in Akai Tori (December edition).
1933 (aged 20)
At this time of his life, Nankichi extends his abilities as a writer with
encouragement and guidance from prominent poets such as Hakushu Kitahara,
Seika Tatsumi, and Junichi Yoda. His body, however, is gradually deteriorating
from illness.
He writes Tebukuro-wo Kai-ni (Buying Mittens), in December.
1934 (aged 21)
He falls ill around the end of February, so he returns to Yanabe to recuperate
without sitting the year-end examination. He starts writing more novels,
including Hei (Fence) and Suzume (Sparrow).
1935 (aged 22)
In May he produces 20 nursery stories including Dendenmushi-no Kanashimi
(The Sorrow of a Snail), and Hitotsu-no Hi (A Single Flame). His relationship
with Minako Kimoto ends in August.
1936 (aged 23)
Nankichi graduates from Tokyo School of Foreign Languages in March. He
is then employed by the Tokyo Souvenir Association, but in October his
health deteriorates again and the next month he goes back home to Yanabe.
Nankichi After Returning to Handa
1937 (aged 24)
Around this time Nankichi is troubled by illness and turns his thoughts
to love and how humanity should live.
He is appointed substitute teacher at Kowa No. 1 Higher Elementary School
(present-day Kowa Elementary School) from April to July as the 4th-year
class teacher. The school has a beautiful view over the sea, and he also
becomes acquainted with the teacher Umeko Yamada there.
In September, Nankichi starts living-in and working at Sugiji Shokai (Sugiji
& Co., Ltd.), a livestock feed supplier.
Nankichi as Teacher at Anjo Girls’ Senior High School
1938 (aged 25)
In April, one of Nankichi’s junior high school teachers helps him get a
position at Anjo Girls’ Senior High School (present-day Anjo Senior High
School), his teaching career taking a turn full of hope, as a 1st-year
class teacher.
He starts dating Chie Nakayama around this time.
1939 (aged 26)
He pours his energies into writing poetry with the students and publishes
6 volumes of the students’ poetry between February and September.
He presents works such as Saigo-no Kokyu Hiki (The Last Player of a Chinese
Fiddle), Hana-wo Umeru (Flower Burying), and Kyusuke-kun-no Hanashi (Kyusuke’s
Tale) in the Harbin Nichi-Nichi Shimbun (Harbin Daily Newspaper) starting
in May.
Nankichi regains health and becomes more active with the students, climbing
Mt. Fuji, traveling to Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo, and so on.
1940 (aged 27)
A collection of his students’ poetry is published in Harbin Nichi-Nichi
Shimbun (Harbin Daily Newspaper) as Kokuban Shishu (A Collection of Blackboard
Poems). Nankichi publishes Kawa (River) in Volume I of Shin Jido Bunka
(New Children’s Culture) and Zeni (Money) in Fujokai (Women's World) and
starts attracting attention as a newcomer to children’s story writing.
1941 (aged 28)
Nankichi puts out his first book Ryokan Monogatari - Temari-to Hachi-no
Ko (The Tale of Ryokan - A Ball and a Begging Bowl), in October. In November,
he publishes a literary criticism piece, Dowa-ni Okeru Monogatarisei-no
Soshitsu (The Loss of Narrative Quality in Children’s Stories), in the
Waseda Daigaku Shimbun (Waseda University Newspaper). In December his illness
worsens and he finds blood in his urine.
1942 (aged 29)
He writes a string of his best works including Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's
Lamp) in April as well as Ushi-wo Tsunaida Tsubaki-no Ki (The Camellia
Tree to Which an Ox Was Tied), Hananoki-mura-to Nusubito-tachi (Hananoki
Village and the Thieves), and Hyakusho-no Ashi, Bosan-no Ashi (Farmers’
Feet, Monks’ Feet) in May. In October he puts out his first collection
of children’s stories, Ojiisan-no Lamp (Grandfather's Lamp), with the help
of Seika Tatsumi.
Nankichi’s End
1943 (aged 29 and 7 months)
He is confined to bed in early January and quits Anjo Girls’ Senior High
School in February. As he battles with illness, he summons his last strength
to write a number of works including Kitsune (A Fox), Chiisai Taro-no Kanashimi
(Little Taro’s Sorrow), and Ibo (Warts).
Nankichi passes away from laryngeal tuberculosis on March 22 at 8:15 a.m.
His funeral is held on April 18.
In September, Seika Tatsumi and Junichi Yoda put out the children’s story
collections Ushi-wo Tsunaida Tsubaki-no Ki (The Camellia Tree to Which
an Ox Was Tied) and Hananoki-mura-to Nusubito-tachi (Hananoki Village and
the Thieves).
Following Nankichi’s Death
1948
Nankichi’s students and teaching colleagues erect the first literature
monument to him, at Anjo Senior High School (formerly Anjo Girls’ Senior
High School).
1956
Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) appears for the first time in the textbook
for 4th-year elementary school students.
1960
In April, Kodomo to Bungaku (Children and Literature) is published by Momoko
Ishii et al. and Nankichi’s works receive great acclaim.
1961
Handa City forms the Nankichi Niimi Association in his honor and erects
a monument with inscription of Kaigara (Shells) in Kariyado Park in December.
1973
His adoptive home (Niimi family home) is restored and opened to the public
in March.
In April, Seika Tatsumi passes away at the age of 68.
1977
In July, the Nankichi Shiryo-shitsu (Nankichi Archive Room) is opened in
the Yanabe Community Center.
1980
Kotei - Niimi Nankichi Zenshu (Nankichi Niimi Complete Works - Revised
Edition) (Dainippon Tosho) is released in June.
From 1980 on, Gon-gitsune (Gon, the Little Fox) is included in all textbooks.
1987
His birth home (Watanabe family home) is restored and opened to the public
for the first time in April.
1994
Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum opens in June.
1998
In September, Her Majesty the Empress (Michiko-sama) gives a talk to the
New Delhi meeting of the International Board on Books for Young People
mentioning Nankichi’s Dendenmushi-no Kanashimi (The Sorrow of a Snail).
2010
In June, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit the Niimi Nankichi
Memorial Museum.
2013
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Nankichi Niimi’s birth.
Nankichi wrote numerous diaries over his lifetime. Please enjoy getting to know more about his joys, his troubles, his art critiques, and his views on humanity, through his diaries.
Of course, sorrow is a necessary part of a story. Sorrow transforms into
love. Except, that love may or may not have anything to do with art. It
doesn’t have to have something good to do with it (although I do like it
when love is art), I want to write stories that include sorrow, that is,
love.
April 6, 1929 (aged 15)
I had a haircut. Venus went by while I was washing my head with soap. I
noticed her, but pretended not to. Aah, I am a slave to love!
August 16, 1929 (aged 16)
In my family home we only wore clothes that smelt of moth balls when something
good was happening, so even now, my nose thinks the smell of moth balls
is the smell of happiness.
June 7, 1937 (aged 23)
He has everything. He has plenty of money. His house is nice. And he has
lots of books. He can even travel. And his wife is beautiful and nice.
But there’s just one thing he doesn’t have, that is, a wellspring in his
heart. It’s the ability to feel and express. So, it is the same as if he
had nothing.
March 21, 1940 (aged 26)
I am a well. Through me the water comes gushing out, purified.
April 9, 1942 (aged 28)
A person who really knows about life is someone who never puts on a face
that says, “I’m in the right.” He or she is deeply aware that their presence
on earth is not right, it is not their place to speak up, so, their face
must surely reveal a tinge of sadness.
April 22, 1942 (aged 28)
Beyond the joy and sadness of the ways of the world is the sadness of knowing
secret things that are beautiful nevertheless. I have been singing that
sadness my whole life.
July 10, 1942 (aged 28)
●写《小狐狸阿权》时的南吉（半田第二寻常小学的走廊，1931年）
童话/小说
“悲伤，每个人都有。不是只有我一个人。我必须要忍住我的悲伤” 摘自《蜗牛的悲哀》1935
诗/童谣
悲伤的时候
让贝壳鸣唱吧。
把两个合在一起往里吹气。
让贝壳，
静静地鸣唱吧。
摘自《贝壳》 1934年
徘句
冬季天晴之日，屋顶上晒着圆形米饼 推测写于 1938年
短歌
我的母亲和叔父都早逝，我大概也活不过三十吧 1931年
戏曲
孩子 妈妈潜到什么地方了吧。
神灵 对啊，那么她很快会回来的吧。好了好了，那么我就把你变成石头的样子，这样在你妈妈回来前，你就不会被渔夫盯上了。快，上岸来。
摘自《千鸟》 1939年
随笔
我们只是无尽黑暗深处的一只萤火虫罢了。我们的屁股上各自亮着一盏灯。但是那亮光实在太微弱。
摘自《萤火虫的灯》1935年
●想仔细阅读南吉作品的读者请前往图书室。
过了中午，阿权来到村里的墓地，躲在了六地藏的阴影里。天气很好，远处城堡屋顶的瓦片泛着光。墓地里，彼岸花像红色的布一样延绵不断。
《小狐狸阿权》
纪念馆旁边的中山（童话森林），在故事中作为城堡的所在地登场。南吉以生养他的这方土地为舞台，创作了《小狐狸阿权》。小狐狸阿权住在离中山不远的山中。据说原型可能就是权现山。而且，附近流淌着被描写成村庄小河的矢胜河。
●中山
据说从战国时代后期到江户时代初期，“中山氏”统辖了岩滑，在中山（现在的童话森林）曾有一座城堡。
●六地藏（北谷墓地）
很久以前，现在的岩滑社区中心地所在地有本地的墓地，那里曾有六地藏。
●权现山
●矢胜河
新美南吉，一位对故乡半田有过多方描述的作家。在《小狐狸阿权》里，出现了很多南吉的所见所闻。
●拦截网 请看上面悬挂的渔网。
在河底打下桩子以Y字形拉起渔网，捕获进入中央筒形部分的鱼。主要是长时间下雨或台风以后，捕获从上游顺流下来的鳗鱼。渔网铺得与河道一样宽，所以叫拦截网。（这张拦截网全长约6米）
●“拦截网”名人，江端兵重
江端兵重（1893年～1940年），据说是“兵十”的原型。岩滑新田的人在农闲时，冬天打野鸡野鸭，台风或大雨过后，就用“拦截网”捕鱼。南吉向同学打听“拦截网”，学习兵重的捕鱼方法。
兵十卷起破旧的黑色和服，浸到齐腰的水里捕鱼，摇晃着名为拦截网的渔网。
●中山家的人们
南吉家附近住着“中山家”的子孙，两家交往挺深。
听说在中山这个地方有座小城堡，住着名为中山的城主。
●红井
是常滑烧的红褐色的井。在纪念馆的中庭有实物展示。
●把六藏狐传承至今的狐狸冢
六藏狐，是从大正到昭和初期在岩滑真实存在的小狐狸。流传着这样的故事：一位农民将午餐分了一些给小狐狸，作为报答，小狐狸把他弄丢的香烟盒给他送回去了。
童年
1913年7月30日，作为在岩滑经营榻榻米店的渡辺多藏的次子，南吉出生了。因哥哥出生后马上就去世了，南吉和哥哥用了同一个名字“正八”。亲生母亲Rie在南吉4岁时病故。
●南吉（正八）长大的渡边家
从正面看左侧是母亲Shinn经营的木屐店，右侧是父亲多藏经营的榻榻米店。
●出生的房子前的常夜灯
●用草打着玩的洞穴
第二年，多藏再婚，继母Shinn来到了这个家里。然后小5岁的同父异母的弟弟益吉出生了。
●南吉（正八）作为养子生活过的新美家
（公益财团法人 Kamiya美术馆分馆 南吉之家）
南吉出生的半田
从明治起至大正、昭和这一时期，作为知多半岛的中心城市半田曾经很繁华。酿造和纺织业很繁荣，战前一直生产加武登啤酒的工厂以“半田红砖建筑物”的方式被保留至今。产品和原料用铁路或船被运过来。
南吉出生的岩滑是个比半田镇贫穷的村子，但他出生的家—榻榻米店铺，位于纵断和横断知多半岛的道路交叉位置上，道路沿线还林立着糖果店、米饼店、杂货店等，基本上村里的店铺全在这一块了。
●加武登啤酒半田工厂（大正时期）
●南吉出生地附近的道路标识
●南吉童年时的知多半岛
●半田停车场（现·JR半田车站、明治末）
●半田港
半田第二寻常小学
1920年4月，进入半田第二寻常小学。
是个喜欢看书、身体羸弱的孩子。南吉的作品中，有以孩童时代和玩耍为题材的作品。义务教育只到小学为止，但他成绩优秀，老师说服父亲多藏，建议他参加旧制初中的入学考试。
●小学毕业纪念照片里的南吉 1926年3月
●郡长奖奖状
成绩优秀，二次获得知多郡长奖。学校用旧姓做的申请，所以仍然是姓渡边。
●一年级的新年第一幅书法作品
●半田第二寻常小学（现·岩滑小学）
南吉当代课老师时的1931年左右
我的学校在村子的边缘。一边有田。一边有山。如果从学校的窗户往稻田方向眺望，就可看见稻子结出了黄色的颗粒。（摘自小学3年级时的《闲言碎语记录本》）
我的作品，包含了我的天性、性格，还有远大理想。 1929年3月2日的日记
旧制半田初中
考试合格后，从1926年4月开始南吉就读于旧制半田初中（5年制）。一边帮家里干活，一边读了很多书，理想是成为一名作家，并向杂志投稿。1929年（初中4年级）开始，使用笔名“新美南吉”。学习也很努力，毕业时的成绩名列第2。去考冈崎师范学校，但因为太瘦没能合格。对于自己虚弱身体的自卑感，一直困扰到他去世。
●毕业时的南吉
●毕业纪念照片
●南吉经常造访的半田书屋 同盟书林
●旧制半田初中（现·半田高中）
第一次当代课老师（半田第二寻常小学）
从1931年4月开始，在母校半田第二寻常小学做了5个月的代课老师。当时的工作是当小学2年级59名学生的班主任。南吉和学校的孩子们玩得很快乐，还讲自己创作的童话给他们听。童话《小狐狸阿权》也是其中的一个，据说讲给了6年级的学生听。
●就职的任命书
●上班第一天的教职员工纪念照片
●学芸会之后（男女分别摄影，1931年）
被自己担任班主任的2年级的孩子们缠着说“老师也一起拍”，然后就拍了合影。
忘记擦黑板了，等下节课去上课的时候，发现上面还有一行字没被擦掉。他们个子还不够高（省略）我不禁想“哈哈”。（省略）我的心里涌起了一股喜悦、感激的浪潮，有些想哭了。把孩子们挨个紧紧地抱了一遍----。 (摘自日记)
●南吉的出勤簿
五月九日（周六）
每天早晨，去学校上班，作为出席标志，有一个按印章的表，空白处越来越多，孤独感越来越强。 (摘自日记)
当时的日本 (1927年～1932年)
因第一次世界大战引起的战争经济繁荣出现逆转，1920年的战后经济萧条，1927年的金融危机，重创了日本。银行和其他机构等相继倒闭和破产，南吉的周围也出现了因家庭生活拮据而从初中退学的学生。1931年发生柳条湖事件，后来引发了满洲事变。关东军无视了若槻礼次郎内阁的不扩大方针，扩大了在满洲的战线。
在半田，1931年开通了知多铁路（现在的名铁河和线），从太田川到成岩开始通电车。南吉初中时代的作品《阿普吉的国家》，说的就是铺设这条铁路的朝鲜劳工的故事。
●为了提款蜂拥而至银行的人们（1927年）
毎日新闻社提供
●调查柳条湖线路的李顿调查团（1931年）
毎日新闻社提供
●施工中的半田口车站（1930年）
名古屋铁道（株）所藏
●开业时的知多半田车站前大道（1931年）
阿权，原来是你啊。一直给我送栗子的。（摘自《小狐狸阿权》）
给儿童杂志《红鸟》投的稿
《红鸟》是1918年铃木三重吉创刊的儿童杂志。1929年暂时停刊，1931年复刊。1931年5月号第一次选入南吉的童谣《窗》，从此之后南吉不断有童谣和童话入选。1932年1月号刊登了童话《小狐狸阿权》。
●《红鸟》创刊号（1918年）
童谣同人志《乳树》和前往东京
南吉很尊敬在杂志《红鸟》担任投稿童谣栏评委的北原白秋。《乳树》是白秋门下的年轻诗人们发行的童谣同人志。南吉于1931年9月加入，因为这个缘故，给该杂志的巽圣歌写了一封信。
然后12月，前往东京投靠圣歌，除了参加东京高等师范学校的入学考试，第一次见到白秋之外，还认识了与田准一等文学人士。入学考试没能合格，但对东京更加憧憬。
●南吉的《一列》被刊登在《乳树作曲号》（1931年）
第一位恋人
●木本咸子
在岩滑经营织布生意家庭的长女。和南吉是小学同学。从旧制初中时代开始，南吉就在日记里称咸子为“麦当娜”“我的维纳斯”，寄托相思。1931年，南吉在岩滑任代课老师，因为咸子的弟弟在自己当班主任的班里，为此为契机，2人开始交往。
●铃木三重吉（1882年～1936年）
铃木润吉氏提供
主办《红鸟》。
●北原白秋（1885年～1942年）
（公益财团法人）北原白秋生家纪念财团提供
代表作：《下雨》
雨啊雨啊 下吧下吧 妈妈呢～♫
白秋门下的师兄们
●巽圣歌（1905年～1973年）
野村吉巳氏提供
发行《乳树》。
代表作：《篝火》
树篱笆的 树篱笆的 拐角处～♫
●与田准一（1905年～1997年）
与田准一纪念馆提供
发行《乳树》。
代表作：《小鸟之歌》
小鸟 非常 喜欢唱歌～♫
象崇拜哥哥一样崇拜巽圣歌
1932年回乡后，南吉给北原白秋和巽圣歌写了信，感谢在东京时他们对自己的照料。同年春天，因圣歌的推荐，参加东京外国语学校（以下为东京外语）的入学考试，合格。进京当初，南吉住在圣歌的家里，圣歌结婚后搬到了附近的学生宿舍。但是那之后仍然被邀请吃晚饭等，关系始终亲密。在南吉整个生涯中，是圣歌激发并培养了他的文学才能。
●和巽圣歌的家人一起（东京上野，1935年）
●回半田时，写在巽圣歌处给的书“ARS的笔记本”上的批注
东京外国语学校
南吉从1932年4月开始，在东京外语的英文科学习了4年。不仅专心学习，还和朋友们在咖啡店听唱片，谈论文学和艺术，还经常去观赏戏剧和电影。
●位于皇居竹桥脚下的东京外国语学校（现・东京外国语大学）
●东京外语时代的南吉
●日记里出现的咖啡厅“Meine Kleine”（德语，意思为“我的小可爱”）
●英語剧《李尔王》里男扮女装的南吉（1935年）
●第１次宫泽贤治友人会（1934年）
南吉与宫泽贤治并不相识，经同样是岩手县出身的巽圣歌的介绍，对他产生了兴趣。1933年贤治去世，南吉出席了在新宿“Monami”举行的追悼会。几年后，南吉在信中称贤治为天才，一生都很敬重他。
当时的日本 (1932年～1936年)
1932年，以日本关东军为主导，建立满洲国。第二年，日本受到国际社会的批判，退出了国联。1936年，青年军官们占据了国会议事堂和首相官邸周围，发动二·二六事件。当时就读于皇居附近东京外语学校的南吉，本该参加的毕业考试被取消了。
●传单“大满洲国” 昭和前期
名古屋市博物馆所藏
●占领了国会议事堂前的反乱部队（二・二六事件、1936年）
毎日新闻社提供
人真的善良吗？ 摘自《小狐狸买手套》
在东京的文学活动
1933年，北原白秋与铃木三重吉决裂，白秋的弟子们也因此退出了《红鸟》。同年，连《乳树》也停刊了，南吉失去了发表作品的重要场所。
这时，给南吉带来机会的是儿童杂志《聪明的一年级小学生》《聪明的二年级小学生》）（精文馆）。而且，不仅是杂志，甚至还谈到了要出版童话集。这是巽圣歌想把自己得到的机会让给南吉。虽然结局不好，说是毫无名气的新人的话不能出版，但留存至今的幼儿童话中，大约20篇作品就是那时（1935年5月）写成的。
●在明治神宫（1933年）
●童谣诗人多胡羊齿的《苦参花开的时候》出版纪念祝贺仪式（1932年）
●《聪明的一年级小学生》《被卖掉的鞋”》1933年1月号
带着疾病和失意回到故乡
1934年2月，南吉第一次咳血。静养期间虽然复学，但是因生病而对结婚生活产生不安等，从而对与恋人咸子的关系感到烦恼，最终二人在1935年夏天分手。1936年3月从东京外语毕业后，虽然很难找到自己想做的工作，但终于在5月就职位于东京商工会议所的东京土特产品协会。但是10月又再次咳血。南吉放弃了东京的生活，回到岩滑。当时村子的样子和自己的心情，都写在了小说《归乡》里。
●咖啡店“Kagashiya”
回乡后，南吉经常造访的半田的咖啡店。
●1937年３月1日的日记
被疾病和孤独困扰的南吉，读了陀思妥耶夫斯基的作品，思考要致力于“构建自我牺牲和不求回报的爱"。
成为河和第一寻常高等小学的代课老师
1937年4月开始，在河和第一寻常高等小学当代课老师，为期4个月。在能俯眺大海的美丽小学里，担任有64名学生的4年级的班主任，还教高等科的英语。
当时南吉的身体状态还比较差，他边喘气边爬小学门前的坡道时，孩子们会从背后推，助他一臂之力。
职员办公室里，写指导教案遇到问题时，会求助坐在旁边的山田梅子老师，有时山田老师还会分一些有营养的食物给他，二人之间关系逐渐加深。在河和的教师生活中，南吉感受到了“短暂的细微的幸福”，归乡后受伤的心灵得到了慰籍。
●当时的河和车站
●从半田到河和的通勤路
●河和第一寻常高等小学
●山田梅子
曾经的河和第一寻常高等小学的同事。南吉从小学退职后，还书信往来，好像甚至一度还想到了结婚，但最终没能结成夫妇。
●上下班路上，爬上去就能看见大海的斜坡
从4月份开始，我在一个叫做河和的海边小镇当代课老师。（略）
在这里，我暂时体会到些许的幸福感。（略）活着并不是一无是处的，我在这里体会到了这一点。（给巽圣歌的信 1937年6月5日邮戳）
当时的日本 (1937年～1938年)
1937年7月，中日战争开战。起初因战事捷报与军需推动的经济繁荣，老百姓还欢喜鼓舞，但随着战事延长，对老百姓的负面影响越来越大。
同年10月，“半田市”成为爱知县内第6大城市，当时人口为5万多人。
●跨越卢沟桥的士兵们（中日战争，1937年）
毎日新闻社提供
●半田市的市制記念典礼（1937年）
也就是说，在不知不觉中自己加入了乱世的生存竞争中。（1937年12月12日的日记）
就职于杉治商会
1937年9月开始，在饲料公司杉治商会上班。当时，杉治商会的饲料生产占了全国市场份额的4成，在半田市南西部的鸦根山拥有广阔的农场。南吉被分配到照料雏鸡的部门，在宿舍里过起了集体生活。工作艰辛，实际到手工资为16日元。从12月起，调动到位于半田港工厂内的经理课。据日记记载，虽然做翻译的工作时很有热情，但是经济上精神上都很艰难。
●成岩的糕点店（1935年左右）
成岩是个有很多糕点店的古镇。（略）昨天在一家名叫菊屋的点心店，花十文钱买了一块蒸羊羹和两块米粉糕。（略））把糕点放进口袋，开开心心地回家，这是从小到大都没变的乐趣啊。 1937年12月14日的日记
●早上的出勤景象
在港口工厂工作的员工，早上骑自行车集合，说着“我们走了”然后一起下鸦根山。眼前的自行车是干部用的。
●1937年10月27日的日记
在艰难的生活中，人们要意识到不能放弃自我，我认为牢记这一点很重要。
●散布在鸦根山上的鸡舍和羊舍（畜禽研究所）
●铁路一直开进杉治商会的工厂里
●鸡舍
●南吉在杉治商会工作时的位置
成为安城女子高中的老师
1938年4月开始，当上安城女子高中（以下称为安城女高）的老师。由于担心南吉在杉治商会的生活，在初中时代的恩师佐治克己和远藤慎一的帮助下获得的职位，家人也非常高兴。当时，包括安城在内，碧海郡一带以农业生产先进而出名，被称为“日本的丹麦”。担任1年级（第19届学生）班主任的南吉，除了英语和作文以外，还担任农业课。每月工资70日元，经济上、精神上终于获得了安定。
在此期间，编辑、发行《安城女高学报》和学生诗集，带领学生郊游和修学旅行等，过着充实的日子。但是另一方面，从前年开始的中日战争长期化，使得这样的生活渐渐受到了限制。
●从半田到安城的通勤路
●成为安城女子高中的教职员（1939年）
● 摘自学生诗集《雪与云雀》
安城市历史博物馆所藏
从1939年2月起，南吉收集了学生的诗，并刻印出版了诗集。在第一集的序言里有南吉的诗《小蜗牛》。但是因为战时纸张不足，出到同年9月的第6集就中断了。
●佐治克已校长
南吉中学时代的恩师，安城女子高中的校长，聘请南吉来此任教的人。
●前往岩津天神郊游（1941年）
●当时的安城女子高中
当时的日本 (1938年～1940年)
1939年欧洲开始了第二次世界大战。日本还在继续中日战争，1940年，日本、德国和意大利结成了三国同盟。因为要优先军需，老百姓的生活开始受到影响。火柴和砂糖变成凭票供应，男性被要求穿着“国民服装”。
●神武天皇即位2600年纪念典礼上，三呼万岁的参加者（1940年）
毎日新闻社提供
●堆成山状的凭票供应砂糖（1940年）
毎日新闻社提供
在这座小镇上 渐渐习惯 蓦然发现已是夏日祭 耳鸣 ※耳鸣是南吉写俳句时的雅号之一
南吉的充实时期
教师生涯的第1年以创作诗为主，从第二年的1939年开始，南吉重新开始写起了童话。东京时代的友人江口榛一，因为当时在满洲的哈尔滨日日新闻工作，南吉还得到约稿，发表了《最后一个胡琴手》《久助的故事》等等作品，磨练了自己的水平。此外，还获得机会在杂志《新儿童文化》上发表了《河》〈Ｂ〉，在杂志《妇女界》上发表了《钱》。南吉在日记中表达了对此事的喜悦，同时告诫自己不要沉溺于成功。
※在南吉的作品中，还有其他的《河》，用A,B进行区别。
●校舍前的南吉（1941年）
●中山知惠
在《小狐狸阿权》中出场的“中山城主”的子孙。和南吉从学生时代就很亲密，从东京女子医专毕业后，做了医生。1938年春天后，她频繁地出现在南吉的日记里，1939年元旦日记里写有“会成为后半生的伴侣吧”这样的愿望。但是，1940年6月她突然去世了。
●哈尔滨日日新闻刊登了《久助的故事》的剪报（1939年11月）
●《新儿童文化》杂志的《河》〈B〉（1940年）
●《妇女界》杂志的《钱》（1940年）
国立国会图书馆所藏
●安城的宿舍
当初住在半田去上班，但从1939年4月开始，住到了位于安城字出乡（通称新田）的大见家。在此勤于笔耕。
第一本单行本《良宽物語：手球和托钵》
●《良宽物語：手球和托钵》
南吉接到学习社关于传记的约稿，从1941年1月开始仅仅用3个月的时间，写出了江户时代有名僧侣的传记故事《良宽物語：手球和托钵》。同年10月出版，对南吉来说，这是第一本单行本的出版。销量很好，之后又多次再版。但是，不知是不是因为写作导致过度劳累，身体状况恶化，南吉对死亡的不安越来越强烈。
●走在名古屋街头的益吉和南吉（右）
●这个时期的主要作品
《良宽物語：手球和托钵》 1941年1～3月
《撒谎》 1941年6月1日
《从山里来的少年》 1941年11月9日
《音乐钟》 1941年11月1日
《当阿呼噜钟》 1942年3月26日
《一个穷少年的故事》 1942年3月1日
《爷爷的煤油灯》 1942年4月2日
《拴牛的山茶树》 1942年5月19日
《草》 1942年5月29日
《农民的脚、和尚的脚》 1942年5月1日
《花木村和盗贼们》 1942年5月1日
《和太郎的牛》 1942年5月1日
《鸟右卫门遍历各地》 1942年5月1日
※制作日期也包括巽圣歌提供的证言。
第一本童话集《爷爷的煤油灯》
●童話集《爷爷的煤油灯》
南吉被邀请出版3本童话集。
从1942年3月到5月，尽管病魔缠身，仍然不断地写出新作品。就这样，在巽圣歌的帮助下，10月有光社出版了第一本童话集《爷爷的煤油灯》。插图由栋方志功负责。
●目录
●担任了４年班主任的第19届学生的毕业纪念照片
1942年3月，南吉从1年级开始任其班主任的54名学生从安城女高毕业了。
●南吉送给学生后藤贞的用彩色纸写的留言，用来纪念毕业
安城市历史博物馆所藏
当时的日本 (1941年～1943年)
1941年12月，以美国和英国为对手的太平洋战争开始了。物资不足，代用物品和代用食物增加，寺庙的钟也被征用了。南吉的作品里也有《当阿呼噜钟》等反应当时社会现实的作品。
在南吉也到访过的名古屋市东山动物园里，到战争结束之前，除了被射杀的猛兽，还有很多其他饿死的动物。
●太平洋战争（珍珠港袭击，1941年）
毎日新闻社提供
●从半田市内收集来的钟
●东山动物园的射杀狮子训练（1943年）
名古屋市东山动物园提供
想快点看到童话集。现在就只考虑这个。 （写给巽圣歌的明信片 1943年3月8日）
南吉最后的日子
1942年8月，为了为被誉为明治用水鼻祖的安城伟人—都筑弥厚撰写传记，同时疗养身体，前往长野和群马的温泉地。但是，由于病情恶化，没能完成。南吉生前拿到手的书，只有传记故事《良宽物語：手球和托钵》和童话集《爷爷的煤油灯》。另外，童话集《拴牛的山茶树》和《花木村和盗贼们》也预定要出版，但实际出版已是南吉死后半年的事了。
●写给学生佐薙好子的明信片（1943年2月9日）
（略）
即使我的肉体消失
只要你们少数几个人（少到多少呢）能够长久地记住我
热爱美好的事物
陶冶自己的心灵
那么我也就能永远活在你们的心里。
（略）
●写给学生高正惇子的明信片（1943年2月26日）
1943年1月，南吉终于不得不从安城女高请长病假，在半田卧床不起。忍受着喉咙的疼痛，写出了《小狐狸》《小太郎的悲哀》《瘊子》，没能写完《天狗》就搁笔了。2月，从学校退职，并且对自身之死已做好准备的南吉，把手头的作品整理出来寄给了巽圣歌，拜托他出版。过去的学生和亲友都来探望南吉，但是终究无果，3月22日南吉死于喉头结核，年仅29岁零7个月。
●手里拿着都筑弥厚资料的南吉
●南吉最后的创作（1942年12月～1943年） （题名／张数／发表制作年月）
《耳朵》 21张 1942年12月26日
《小狐狸》 20张 1943年1月8日
《小太郎的悲哀》 11张 1943年1月9日
《瘊子》 1943年1月16日
《天狗》 21张 1943年1月18～20日
※《瘊子》没有现存的手稿。
南吉功绩表
受南吉托付手稿的巽圣歌，战后出版了一系列南吉的童话集。1965年出版了《新美南吉全集》（牧书店）就这样，南吉的作品得以推广到日本全国，还得到研究人员的高度评价。
另一方面，1948年安城当年的学生们在故乡为他竖立了《小蜗牛》诗碑。在半田，1961年也设立了“新美南吉功绩会”，在雁宿公园竖立了《贝壳》诗碑。
之后，作为养子南吉曾经生活过的家也得到修复并对外开放，又开设了南吉资料室；南吉出生的家也得到复原并对外开放，等。正是在当地热情支持下，表彰活动得以持续开展，新美南吉纪念馆于1994年开馆了。
●新美南吉全集》出版之际，巽圣歌在简报本上记录下的话（1965年）
●南吉去世17周年纪念仪式上，造访半田高校的巽圣歌（1959年）
●1948年成为南吉表彰碑第一号的《小蜗牛》诗碑（安城市立樱町小学校内）
●《贝壳》诗碑揭幕仪式（1961年、雁宿公园内）
●1977年岩滑社区中心内开设的南吉资料室
●新美南吉纪念馆开馆揭幕仪式
巽圣歌的死和新全集的编篡
1973年，巽圣歌去世，享年68岁。他是把南吉的作品推广给世人的恩人，却因为把几份作品改写后再发表，而受到批评。但是圣歌代替了没时间重新审视作品就去世的南吉，把不太好的地方和不符合时代的地方进行了修改再发表，他认为自己接受了南吉的委托，这是自己应尽的责任。
圣歌死后，他保管的南吉亲笔资料全部由新美南吉著作权管理委员会（当时）进行管理，靠这些资料，1980年开始出版《校订新美南吉全集》。全部恢复成南吉当年写成的样子，并能追朔推敲的过程。作为儿童文学作家出版全集，是史无前例的事。
●《校订新美南吉全集》（1980年～1983年、大日本图书）
当时的日本 (1943年～)
1945年8月，日本投降，战争结束。
因空袭被荒废的国土开始重建，因为1955年开始经济高速增长，开发也在快速进行。另一方面，水俣病和四日市哮喘等，因污染引起的公害成了社会问题。
1989年昭和结束，2019年平成结束。
●伊势湾台风的惨状（1959年）
●知多半岛道路开通（1970年）
武丰町历史民俗资料馆提供
美智子上皇后和南吉
2010年，当时的天皇皇后两位陛下造访新美南吉纪念馆。当时的皇后美智子陛下，皇太子妃时代开始就以喜欢南吉的作品而闻名。1961年，为了感谢福岛县山区的孩子们寄来山地百合花的球根，回赠了《新美南吉童话全集》（大日本图书）。此外，在自身参加的东京英诗朗读会上，还把《泉》等南吉的9篇诗译成了英语。
1998年的国际儿童图书评议会印度新德里大会上的视频演讲中，作为自己童年的回忆，谈到了南吉的童话《蜗牛的悲哀》。
之前很多人认为《蜗牛的悲哀》是一个“既然不能回避，那就只能接受”的故事，但是以演讲为契机，这则故事被重新审视，馈赠给在复杂的人际关系中生存的当今时代的孩子们。
●在新美南吉纪念馆，两位陛下视察给孩子们读故事的活动（2010年6月15日）
刊登在教科书
南吉的作品被教科书采用是从1953年的《爷爷的煤油灯》开始，《小狐狸买手套》《糖果》等，至今已有10篇作品被采用。特别是《小狐狸阿权》1956年被采用以来，一直刊登于小学4年级的教科书中，从没中断，1980年以后，被所有的教科书公司采用。
●第一本刊登了《小狐狸阿权》的教科书 1956年度版 大日本图书 插图・小坂茂
●1971年度版 光村图书 《小狐狸阿权》 插图・Kasuya昌宏
●《小狐狸阿权》教科书刊登年表
※另外，还有中教出版社刊登于1961年度小学3年级用的教科书中。
※2009年度的大阪书籍版，是由日本文教出版社接手出版的。
在国外的推广
最近，以中国、韩国为首，欧美诸国等世界各地都在出版新美南吉的作品。
●在海外出版的南吉作品
来看看我的单间牢房吧（笑）
●在明治神宫（1933年）
东京时代的寄宿点
①巽圣歌宅邸 1932年4月～ 中野区上高田2-285※
②外语宿舍 1932年9月～ 中野区上高田114
③川村宅邸 1933年5月～ 中野区新井506
④松叶馆 1935年春？～ 中野区上高田1－208
※中野区实施区制是从1932年10月开始的。之前是丰多摩郡野方町。
东京时代，南吉曾在中野区的上高田和新井生活过。刚开始住在巽圣歌的家里，聖歌结婚后，搬到了附近的东京外国语学校的宿舍。但是，他没能适应集体生活，在一个姓川村的寡妇家借住三张榻榻米大小的房间，最后搬进了一个叫松叶馆的宿舍里一间六张榻榻米的房间。
这里再现的房间，是1933年5月到1935年春天，曾经居住过的川村家的三张榻榻米大的房间。据说南吉邀请文学圈内的朋友清水民子来自己房间时，曾以自嘲的口吻说，“来看看我的独立单间牢房吧”。但是，就是在这个房间，诞生了《小狐狸买手套》、《山丘的铜像》、《孩子喜欢的神》、《国王和鞋匠》等众多的作品，也是南吉燃烧了青春之火的地方。以南吉在日记里写的“感受新事物的房间”为原型再现的。
川村家的房子躲过了战火，长期使用，但在2011年被拆除了。这间再现的房间里镶嵌的高窗，就是当时拆除下来的原物，南吉正是从这扇窗户眺望小小的四角天空。
童年时的南吉
一九一三年（大正2年）出生
七月三十日，出生于爱知县知多郡半田町字东山八十六番地（现·半田市岩滑中町一丁目八十三番地），是经营榻榻米店铺的渡边多藏家的第二个儿子。用了早亡的哥哥的名字，被取名叫做正八。
一九一七年（大正6年）4岁
十一月，母亲Rie二十九岁就过早地去世了。
一九一八年（大正7年）5岁
四月时，父亲迎娶了新的妻子Shinn，开始一起生活。
一九一九年（大正8年）6岁
二月，弟弟益吉出生。
一九二〇年（大正9年）7岁
四月，进入半田第二寻常小学（现・岩滑小学）。
一九二一年（大正10年）8岁
七月，过继给亲身母亲Rie的娘家（岩滑新田的新美家）。作为养子，和外祖母一起生活。无法忍受没有朋友，每天都很寂寞的日子，十二月，保留着“新美”的姓，回到了父亲渡边的家。
一九二六年（大正15年）13岁
毕业式上获得“知多郡长奖”，并代表毕业生致答辞。
四月，进入半田初中（现、半田高中）。
初中时代的南吉
一九二七年（昭和2年）14岁
从这时开始创作了大量的童谣和童话。
一九二九年（昭和4年）16岁
这一年，创作了《少佐和支那人的故事》（张红伦）、《巨男》（巨人的故事）等童话十五篇、童谣一百二十二篇、诗三十三首，还有其他作品九篇。给《少年俱乐部》等杂志投了大量的稿件，笔名“南吉”就是从这时开始使用的。此外，还和岩滑的青年同仁们一起发行了名叫《猎户座》的同人志。
一九三一年（昭和6年）18岁
三月，以第二名的成绩从半田初中毕业，虽然参加了冈崎师范学校的入学考试，但因体检不合格没能如愿。四月开始成为母校半田第二寻常小学的代课老师，担任二年级的班主任。
七月，和初恋女友木本咸子开始交往。
这一年，在杂志《红鸟》上发表了《窗》等八篇童谣。还发表了童话《正坊和阿黑》（八月号）、《张红伦》（十一月号）、《小狐狸阿权》（昭和七年一月号）。
到了年末第一次前往东京，见到了北原白秋和巽圣歌。
东京外国语学校时的南吉
一九三二年（昭和7年）19岁
四月开始，进入东京外国语学校英语部文科（现·东京外国语大学），开始在中野区上高田的巽圣歌家中生活。
童谣《岛》被选作特选，发表在《红鸟》（十二月号）。
一九三三年（昭和8年）20岁
这个时期的南吉，深受北原白秋和巽圣歌、与田准一等优秀诗人的影响，文学功底得到了很大提高。但是，他的身体正慢慢受到疾病摧残。
十二月创作了《小狐狸买手套》。
一九三四年（昭和9年）21岁
二月底生病，为了休养没有参加期末考试，暂时回到了岩滑。创作了很多小说，写出了《墙》《麻雀》等。
一九三五年（昭和10年）22岁
五月，创作了《蜗牛的悲哀》、《火》等幼儿童话约二十篇。八月，与木本咸子分手。
一九三六年（昭和11年）23岁
三月，从东京外国语学校毕业。之后，在东京土特产品协会就职，但在十月再次病倒，第二个月回到了岩滑。
回到故乡的南吉
一九三七年（昭和12年）24岁
这时，被疾病所困扰，思考人类的生存方式与爱这些问题。
从四月到七月，在河和第一寻常高等小学（现、河和小学）当代课老师，并担任四年级班主任。在能俯眺大海的美丽校园里，认识了山田梅子老师。
九月开始，住进了饲料公司杉治商会，并开始在此工作。
在安城女子高中工作时的南吉
一九三八年（昭和13年）25岁
四月，靠初中时代老师的斡旋，得以在安城女子高中（现·安城高中）工作，担任一年级的班主任，开始了充满希望的学校生活。
这时开始与中山知惠交往。
一九三九年（昭和14年）26岁
从二月到九月发行了六本学生诗集，和学生们一起致力于诗歌创作。
从五月开始，在哈尔滨日日新闻上发表了《最后一个胡琴手》《埋花》《久助的故事》等作品。
恢复了健康的南吉，参加学校举办的活动，比如攀登富士山，去伊豆大岛和东京旅行。
一九四〇年（昭和15年）27岁
作为“黑板报诗集”，哈尔滨日日新闻发表了学生的诗。在《新儿童文化》第一册上发表了《河》，在《妇女界》上发表了《钱》，作为新人童话作家开始受到瞩目。
一九四一年（昭和16年）28岁
十月，出版了第一本单行本《良宽物语：手球和托钵》。十一月，在早稻田大学新闻上发表了评论文章《关于童话故事性的丧失》。十二月，病情加重，出现血尿。
一九四二年（昭和17年）29岁
连续不断推出代表作，四月《爷爷的煤油灯》，五月《拴牛的山茶树》《花木村和盗贼们》《农民的脚、和尚的脚》等等。十月，在巽圣歌的帮助下，出版了第一本童话集《爷爷的煤油灯》。
南吉最后的日子
一九四三年（昭和十八年）二十九岁零七个月
一月初开始卧床不起，二月辞掉了女校的工作。一边与疾病抗争，一边竭尽最后的力量，写出了《小狐狸》《小太郎的悲哀》《瘊子》等作品。
三月二十二日上午八点十五分，因喉头结核去世。葬礼于四月十八日举行。
九月由巽圣歌和与田准一出版了童话集《拴牛的山茶树》和《花木村和盗贼们》。
南吉死后
一九四八年（昭和23年）
在安城高中（原来的安城女子高中），南吉的学生和同事们建立了第一座文学碑。
一九五六年（昭和31年）
《小狐狸阿权》第一次入选小学四年级的教科书。
一九六〇年（昭和35年）
四月，在石井桃子等人的推动下，出版了《儿童与文学》，南吉的作品得到了高度评价。
一九六一年（昭和36年）
半田市成立了新美南吉功绩会，十二月在雁宿公园建立了“贝壳”之碑。
一九七三年（昭和48年）
三月，南吉作为养子时生活过的家（新美家）在修复后开始对外开放。
四月，巽圣歌在六十八岁时去世。
一九七七年（昭和52年）
七月，岩滑社区中心里成立了“南吉资料室”。
一九八〇年（昭和55年）
六月，开始了《校订新美南吉全集》（大日本图书）的出版工作。
从这年开始，所有的教科书都采用了《小狐狸阿权》。
一九八七年（昭和62年）
四月，南吉出生的家（渡边家）在复原后开始对外开放。
一九九四年（平成6年）
六月，新美南吉纪念馆开馆。
一九九八年（平成10年）
九月，皇后陛下（美智子陛下）在国际儿童图书评议会新德里大会上，介绍了南吉的《蜗牛的悲哀》。
二〇一〇年（平成22年）
六月，天皇和皇后两位陛下来到了新美南吉纪念馆。
二〇一三年（平成25年）
新美南吉诞辰一百周年。
南吉一生中留下了很多日记。通过日记，您可以深入了解他的喜悦和烦恼、他的艺术理论和人生观。
归根结底，故事里，不能没有悲哀。悲哀会化成爱。但是这种爱，是否与艺术有关呢。即便没关系也罢，（如果爱就是艺术就好了）我会写包含有悲哀、也就是爱的故事。
1929年4月6日（15岁）
理发了。用香波洗头时，维纳斯走过去了。明明认识，却假装不认识。哎，爱情的俘虏！
1929年8月16日（16岁）
带有樟脑丸气味的和服，只有发生什么好事的时候才会穿，所以即使现在我的鼻子也认为樟脑丸的气味就是幸福的气味。
1937年6月7日（23岁）
那家伙啥都有。钱也足够多。家也很气派。书也有很多。还能去旅行。妻子美丽又温柔。但是有一样他没有，心灵之泉。感受到并表达出来的能力。所以他就等于什么都没有。
1940年3月21日（26岁）
我是一口井。通过我，水得到净化，喷涌而出。
1942年4月9日（28岁）
真正懂的人，不会做出一副我什么都对的嘴脸。自己深刻地意识到有不对、不公正存在，因此会在脸上显露出悲哀的表情。
1942年4月22日（28岁）
我的悲哀，在于知道不为人知的美丽事物的存在，它超越了世间平常的快乐和悲哀。一生都在吟唱这样的悲哀。
1942年7月10日（28岁）