Biography: Toshi Washizu
Born in Shizuoka, Japan, at the foot of Mount Fuji, Toshi Washizu never climbed his native country's highest peak. Instead, in his youth, he crossed the ocean to America. He became a filmmaker and for decades produced award-winning documentary films. His movies include Bone, Flesh, Skin; Mr. Oh: a Korean Calligrapher; Reflections; and Faces of Issei: The First Generation.
“As a filmmaker, I looked at the world through the camera. Perhaps poetry is another way of looking at our world and trying to make sense of it," says Washizu.
Washizu's poems and essays have appeared in the poetry anthologies The Chalk Circle; Sunrise from Blue Thunder; Family Matters; In Other Words; Forum Magazine; Poets 11; San Francisco Peace and Hope; Discover Nikkei; Noe Valley Voice; and The Walrus.