Kiyoko Ogawa’s book Songs for Spirits: A Selection of Tanka, Haiku and Haibun was published by Taibowsha Corporation in 2022. The collection features 59 tanka, 11 haiku and 3 haibun plus the notation for two musical compositions. The tanka and haiku are presented in both Japanese and English while the haibun are presented in English… Read More Kiyoko Ogawa: Songs for Spirits
Edition 2 of the online journal Catchment – Poetry of Place was published in June 2024. Catchment publishes tanka and longer poems that convey a sense of location. Many of the poems are inspired by scenes and experiences within Australia, though there are always a number of poems relating to other countries. I was pleased… Read More Catchment – Poetry of Place: Edition 2
The second Haiku Down Under conference will take place via Zoom on 16-18 August 2024. The conference provides an opportunity for writers from New Zealand and Australia to discuss haiku and related subjects through presentations, workshops, poetry readings, writing sessions and engagement with poets from other countries. Haiku Down Under 2024 is being organised by… Read More How to Register for Haiku Down Under 2024
Kokako is a highly regarded journal of haiku, tanka, haibun and related genres based in Aotearoa New Zealand. After having been produced in print form for many years, Kokako is transitioning to an online format. The final print edition of Kokako, Issue 40, was released in April 2024. Here are some poems from that Issue:… Read More Kokako goes online
Lorraine Haig’s first collection of haiku, Curving into Light, follows her two earlier poetry collections: Ocean of Sky (2014) and Paddling the Canoe (2021). Curving into Light was released by Forty South Publishing in 2023. Lorraine’s haiku are drawn from her travels throughout Australia, including her home state of Tasmania. They reflect her love of… Read More Lorraine Haig: Curving into Light
The Koto City Basho Museum conducts an annual contest known as the Basho-an International English Haiku Competition. The famous Japanese haiku poet, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), moved to what was then the outskirts of Tokyo in 1680, where he lived in a rustic hut built by his disciples. From that time forward, Basho took his name… Read More 6th Basho-an International English Haiku Competition
I always enjoy seeing Australian writers receive awards in international haiku competitions. So, it was pleasing to find the Australian contingent had made such a strong showing in the 2023 International Haiku Competition conducted by the Irish Haiku Society. The Society runs the competition annually, with the 2023 contest having been judged by their founding… Read More 2023 Irish Haiku Competition
K’gari (pronounced Gurri) is the largest sand island in the world. Located in Queensland, Australia, the island comprises long, sandy beaches, coastal heaths, woodland and freshwater lakes. K’gari is part of the traditional lands of the Butchulla people. You can read the K’gari creation story, as told by the Butchulla people, here. Essentially, Princess K’gari… Read More Haiku of Place: K’gari
Gregory Piko 