Kakuya Saeki, born in 1952, is one of the most important contemporary Japanese poets, specializing in the tanka poetic form. A graduate of Waseda University, she joined the prestigious poetry association "Karin," where she developed a modern and intellectual style. Her poetry is distinguished by its exploration of themes such as urban life, loneliness, and the complexity of human relationships, with a sharp and analytical approach. Her debut collection, *Mizunaki kawa* (Waterless River), achieved immediate critical acclaim. Her most significant subsequent works include *Rarabai* (Lullaby) and *Ato no matsuri* (After the Festival), which solidified her reputation. Throughout her career, she has received numerous prestigious literary awards, including the Gendai Tanka Josei Sakka Shō, the Wakayama Bokusui Prize, the Shika Bungakukan Award, and the Murasaki Shikibu Prize, establishing herself as a fundamental voice in her country's literary landscape.