The Italian Front

The Italian FrontThe Italian War as Seen by a Japanese. Harukichi Shimoi was one of the most interesting iconoclasts to emerge from the first world war. An Italophilia and frequenter of bohemian secret societies in Japan, Shimoi became obsessed with Dante and spent six years teaching himself Italian so he could read the Divina Commedia in its own language. He then traveled to Italy to work as a Japanese professor at the University of Naples where he befriended many of

The Italian War as Seen by a Japanese. Harukichi Shimoi was one of the most interesting iconoclasts to emerge from the first world war. An Italophilia and frequenter of bohemian secret societies in Japan, Shimoi became obsessed with Dante and spent six years teaching himself Italian so he could read the Divina Commedia in its own language. He then traveled to Italy to work as a Japanese professor at the University of Naples where he befriended many of the most important people in Italy, including the poet Gabrielle DÕAnnunzio who cameos Shimoi in several of his novels. During the Great War Shimoi visited the front lines, and it is from those experiences that this book was born. Shimoi later participated in the march on Fiume, and acted as an administrator of the Free State of Fiume during the year long siege between DÕAnnunzioÕs city state and the rest of the world. Shimoi also became an ArditiÑ the shock troops of the Italian armyÑ and instructed many of his fellow soldiers in the art of Karate.

This book is composed of several letters Shimoi wrote from the front lines of WW1, as well as letters and statements from his friends. It was originally published in 1919 as La Guerra Italiana Vista da un Giapponese. Translated to English in 2020 by Gabriel Dalpiaz.