Aboriginal Place Names in Haiku

Japanese haiku writers often reference locations by name, thereby inviting the reader to bring their knowledge of place into the poem. Take, for example, this haiku by Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902): biting into a persimmona bell resoundsHōryū-ji While Shiki did not write this haiku at the Hōryū-ji Temple, it’s thought he referenced the temple because it… Read More Aboriginal Place Names in Haiku

May 24, 2023May 25, 2023 gregorypiko

‘Kusamakura’ Haiku Competition

Each year the City of Kumamoto in Japan conducts an international haiku competition. The contest is named after the celebrated novel, Kusamakura, written by Natsume Soseki (1867-1916). I was honoured recently to receive a Second Prize award in the 22nd ‘Kusamakura’ International Haiku Competition. Being a poet who seeks to interpret a Japanese genre while… Read More ‘Kusamakura’ Haiku Competition

December 6, 2017January 3, 2023 gregorypiko