Jun Kawada

He graduated from the Law School of Tokyo Imperial University with a degree in political science in 1907.

He was known for his prolific production of poetry on patriotic themes during World War II.

After the war, Kawada was responsible for organizing the annual New Year Poetry Reading ceremony at the Imperial Palace, and as poet laureate he was the selector of the poems to be read by the Crown Prince.

In 1950 he gained notoriety by eloping at the age of 68 with the young wife of one of his disciples.

In a poem about this relationship, he wrote that "to an old man approaching his grave, love holds no fear.