News: Genjuan Haibun Contest 2016 & Print Collection of Previous Winners

2016 Genjuan Haibun Contest:

Genjuan is Japan's only international haibun contest and we strive very hard to bridge between the Japanese and English language traditions. Entry is free and there are prizes and certificates. With the recent retirement of Nobuyuki Yuasa, this year (and again next) we have had the highly-respected Nenten Tsubouchi as judge. Ideally, there will be one Grand Prix, a number of An Prizes ('Cottage' Prizes, highly commended), and some Honourable Mentions. This year's Grand Prix prizewinner was from Bhutan. In the spring, the results will be displayed on the Hailstone Icebox and elsewhere. You can read the past year's prize-winning pieces on a separate page at the Icebox ('Genjuan 2015 Winning Haibun').

Entries to : Ms. Eiko Mori, 2-11-23-206 Jokoji, Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo-ken 660-0811, Japan (to arrive between 1 Oct. 2015 and 31 Jan. 2016)

We have lowered the minimum length stipulation to make it easier for writers using English as their second language. Each entry should total 7 to 35 lines (at 1 line = 80 spaces), with title and at least one haiku (no formal restrictions). Print on one side of A4, if possible, with your name and address, tel. no., and email address typed along the bottom. The judges will not get to know your identity until judging is over and the Genjuan Contest office already knows the results.

Judges: Nenten Tsubouchi, Stephen Henry Gill, Hisashi Miyazaki.

Fuller details including guidlines are at the Icebox website.

Book Release:

An anthology of all 29 of the awarded pieces from the past three years Genjuan Contest (2012-14)is now available. Included are works from NZ, Bulg., US, Bhu., UK, Jap., Ind., Oz, Ire. The book also contains 4 classical haibun (by Basho, Kyorai, Buson, Issa), 3 haibun by the judges, judges' comments, 13 classical illustrations (by Basho, Taiga, Buson, Goshun), 4 photos of classical haibun sites, and a preface and 'farewell' (including some words on the nature of haibun) by Nobuyuki.

To order a copy, please contact Hisashi Miyazaki, 54-16 Hamuro-cho, Takatsuki-shi, Osaka ?569-1147, Japan. Email:kamechany8@yahoo.co.jp . Send cash US$13 (or equivalent £ or ¥), well-wrapped. If you want a copy of the Kikakuza Haibun Contest 2008-11 book as well, please add US$ 7 (making $20 for the pair).