Harukichi Shimoi

Harukichi Shimoi (下位 春吉, Shimoi Harukichi; October 20, 1883 – December 1, 1954) was a Japanese poet, translator and writer. Shimoi lived in Italy for many years and was an important promoter of cultural exchange between Japan and Italy.

Shimoi translated works from Yosano Akiko and Matsuo Bashō into Italian, and conversely translated Dante into Japanese. Shimoi was close friends with Gabriele D'Annunzio and translated several of his works. He accompanied the poet on his Fiume endeavour.

He was influential in introducing the haiku to Italian futurist poets, organizing the Tokyo-Rome flight with Arturo Ferrarin, his early involvement in the Calpis soft drink, and promoting Karate and Judo to Italians.