The 5th - Morioka International HAIKU Contest

The 5th-Morioka International HAIKU Contest

Information

2023.12.6 | 
A collection of selected and prize-winning works of the 5th Morioka International Haiku Competition has been published.
2023.11.15 | 
We have posted a list of the winning works of the 5th Morioka International Haiku Competition and the works that were selected for haiku submissions on the day.

Morioka International Haiku Contest

Did you know that 俳句(Haiku), an art symbolizing Japanese culture, is now called “HAIKU” and familiarized by people all around the globe?
Morioka International Haiku Contest is a Japanese and English Haiku competition started to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Morioka City attaining city status in 2019.
Morioka, is a city that enables you to embrace elegance through cityscape surrounded by mountains, rivers that run through the city with salmon run, and 4 seasonal colors characterized by abundant nature. In addition, you can trail history and culture in this city that has been the land of origin to many great pioneers. Importantly, Haiku is the most familiar form of art that cuts out sceneries of nature and history to recite with only 17 syllables of 5-7-5.
For those residing in Morioka, look back at your own city and rediscover the beauty. For those who are visiting, feel the artistry and beauty of this city. If this contest becomes such an opportunity of affection towards Morioka, then, we would be contented.
Haiku is profound, yet easy to start. Why won’t you join us?

Haiku that is popular even outside of Japan

Haiku is popular both within Japan and throughout the world. In the 1970s, haiku became internationally famous, and even now it is said that haiku lovers are spreading all over the world. Specifically, 3-line English haiku poems can be used to freely express everyday scenes felt in your mind and body, and are popular as a cultural art that symbolizes Japan. This contest accepts submissions from Japan and abroad, and with gather poems from all over the world. Victoria, Canada, Morioka’s sister city, is also holding haiku activities.

day moon(昼の月)
dotting the snowy hillside(雪の斜面に点々と)
five black cows(黒牛五頭)

Terry Ann Carter

Haiku figures from Morioka’s past

Seison Yamaguchi 「盛岡市先人記念館」提供

Pioneers of haiku abroad born in Morioka

Seison Yamaguchi

May 10, 1892 - December 15, 1988

Composed haiku throughout the world, and is called the pioneer of haiku abroad. Additionally, he composed many verses referring to his hometown as “Michinoku” that influenced later haiku poets.

Inazo Nitobe 「盛岡市先人記念館」提供

The“bridge over the Pacific”that worked to translate haiku into English.

Inazo Nitobe

September 1, 1862 - October 15, 1933

Inazo Nitobe, famous as the author of “Bushido” and contribution to international peace with his ambition of being a bridge across the Pacific, was also very familiar with haiku and among the first to translate haiku into English. He translated a haiku originally by Basho Matsuo into English: “The summer grass, 'Tis all that's left, Of Ancient warriors' dreams”

Takuboku Ishikawa 「石川啄木記念館」提供

Cultural figures famous for Tanka poems have also composed haiku.

Takuboku Ishikawa

February 20, 1886 - April 13, 1912

Takuboku Ishikawa is known as the literary figure that symbolizes Morioka, and famous collections of his poems remain including “A Handful of Sand”. Haiku written by Takuboku about his beloved hometown also remain.