Sato Yoshimi Memorial Museum
Sato Yoshimi (1905–1968) was a prolific children’s author and lyricist who produced more than 3,000 works during his lifetime. This museum in Sato’s hometown of Taketa is modeled on his house in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, where he spent his later years. Displayed inside are examples of his work and many of his favorite items, including jazz records and Western clothing, which offer a glimpse into Sato’s lifestyle, especially in the years following World War II.
Sato was born in Taketa in 1905, but his family moved to Kagoshima when he was seven. He returned to Taketa at age 14 for another year before moving to Yokohama. He would spend the rest of his life there and in Tokyo, attending Waseda University. Sato was heavily influenced by Western literature, including the works of T. S. Elliot and W. H. Auden. His early writing ranged from children’s songs to modern poetry, and he produced various works on anti-war themes. In 1930s and 1940s Japan, such views were treated with suspicion, and Sato’s writing was banned during World War II.
After the war, Sato dedicated himself to writing for children. He had always enjoyed this genre the most, and he often spoke about his desire to elevate the art of children’s literature. During this phase of his life, he wrote his best-known work, a song titled Inu no omawari-san (Dog Policeman), which tells the story of a furry police officer who finds a lost kitten. The song remains popular today.