Shinshu University
Ōta was born in Chikuma District, Nagano prefecture in what is now part of the city of Shiojiri. While still a student at Nagano Normal School (now Shinshu University), he taught himself the basics of traditional Japanese poetry by studying the ancient Japanese literature classics such as the "Man'yōshū" and "Kokinshū," When he began writing his own poetry, he was able to get it published in the prestigious literary journal, "Bungakukai", which was enough to make him realize that life as a professional poet was unrealistic.