Niimi Nankichi

Nankichi Niimi was a Japanese author sometimes known as the Hans Christian Andersen of Japan. Niimi was born Shhachi Watanabe Watanabe Shhachi in Yanabe in the city of Handa Aichi prefecture on July 30 1913. He lost his mother when he was four years old. His literary skill was noticeable at an early age. At age 18 Niimi moved to Tokyo to enter the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. He fell sick with tuberculosis while in Tokyo shortly after graduating and returned to his hometown. He worked there first as an elementary school teacher then as a womens high school teacher. He died at age 29. Although not prolific he shows great talent in all of his writings. His works are known for their accuracy and lively depictions of humans. He is also often compared to Kenji Miyazawa. There is a Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum in his birthplace Handa.