Hailstone Haiku Circle “Hibikiai Forum”
One of the most enjoyable activities I regularly take part in, is the monthly haiku class at Friend Peace House. I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about poetic forms like haiku, senryu, and tanka in English. The class is usually divided into two main parts. After sharing an introductory poem of his own, the facilitator leads us in an analysis of several haiku that have been submitted anonymously prior to the class by group members. Members freely offer feedback with an aim to polishing these poetic efforts. After some announcements and a break, the facilitator or a guest speaker will introduce a theme. This could be anything, but in the past we have had lessons on Irish Haiku, the American haikus of Jack Kerouac, food haiku, animal haiku… Last time we began to look at the roots of English haiku in Orientalism, and I am very much looking forward to the next session when we will be continuing this series with a lesson on the Imagists.
Here are the details should you be interested in joining our group:
Facilitator: Stephen Gill (Tito) Kyoto Univ. Lecturer, BBC Radio Scriptwriter, Translator.
Remaining Autumn Semester Dates: December 12th, January 9th
Time: 17:45-19:30
Location: Friend Peace House, Kyoto (A Meiji-style building 250m south of Imadegawa on Teramachi; equidistant from Keihan Demachiyanagi and Subway Imadegawa). Here is a MAP.
Fee per class: 2000 yen (reg, foreigners: 1,500 yen, students: 1,000 yen, for 4 classes in advance 7000 yen)
Inquiries should be directed to Keiko Yurugi (after 8pm) at this number: 075-771-9338
Spring Semester dates will be posted on the Hailstone Haiku Circle‘s events page here: http://hailhaiku.wordpress.com/events-seminars/
These classes are for those interested in learning more about traditional Japanese poetic forms in English! Whether you are a native speaker or non-native speaker, all are welcome!
See also:
One Hundred Poets on Mount Ogura, One Poem Each
A Hokku of Yosa Buson
Julie says
November 28, 2013 at 10:09 amThanks for sharing this. This looks like a wonderful group. I wish I lived a tad bit closer to join. I’m teaching English and Design Technology in an international school in Kobe. The Kourac haiku + illustration video is a great example of language, culture, design and technology all mixing together. I love it.
Michael Lambe says
November 28, 2013 at 10:16 amThank you Julie. Keep your eyes on the events page for the Hailstone Haiku Circle though, as they have had a haiku-composition-walking type of event in Kobe in the past!
http://hailhaiku.wordpress.com/events-seminars/