Yorifumi Yaguchi is a leading Mennonite poet, writing in both English and Japanese. He is best known in the West for his thirty poems in Three Mennonite Poets (Good Books, 1986), but his published work in English includes nearly 300 poems in five volumes. Yaguchi’s poetry bears witness to the evils of militarism from Shinto nationalism to Hiroshima and then extends to Vietnam and the aftermath of September 11, 2001. He is an international peace activist whose poetic and prophetic voice extends to his roles as professor, poetry editor and Mennonite pastor in Japan.
A timely Asian voice speaks of war and peace, themes which emerged from the poet's childhood memories and influences, shaped during World War II including as a child during the war in Japan