Date: Saturday, 23 November 2024

Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM UK time (8:00 PM Japan time)

A total of 35 BHS members attended the Zoom gathering.

Programme:

— Emiko Miyashita: “Four Seasons: How They Came and Are Gone in Japan” (20-25 min)

Emiko Miyashita is a haiku poet writing in both Japanese and English. She has been trained by Akito Arima in his haiku group Ten’i (天為, “Providence”) since 1993 and is currently a dōjin for the Shin (晨, “Dawn”) group. Emiko serves as a councillor of the Haiku International Association and a vice chair director of the English-Speaking Union of Japan. Additionally, she is a director of the JAL Foundation, known for the World Children’s Haiku Contest. Since 2005, she has written a column on the HIA webpage focused on haiku activities outside Japan, with contributions from Yuzo Ono and others. Emiko is also a member of Haiku Canada and a dōjin of the Yuki Teikei Haiku Society.

— Yuzo Ono: “Four Seasons” (20-25 min)

Yuzo Ono is a haiku poet and writer born in Oita, Japan. He holds a BA from the University of Tokyo and studied at the Royal College of Art (MRes, fine arts pathway) during his stay in the UK from 2018 to 2020. Currently based in Kawasaki, Japan, Yuzo has authored several haiku poetry books and was selected as one of 109 leading contemporary haiku poets in Japan. He is also a councillor of the Haiku International Association and a member of the British Haiku Society, serving as a judge for the monthly English haiku programme on the website of the English-Speaking Union of Japan.

After these presentations, there was a Q&A session. The opportunity for participants to interact with the speakers led to meaningful exchanges and deeper understanding of haiku.

— Haiku Sharing Session

Following a short tea/coffee break, participants engaged in a haiku sharing session. All participants were invited to submit two haiku focused on themes of kigo (seasonal words) or seasonality. Iliyana collected these submissions and they were read during the meeting.

Here are Emiko and Yuzo’s favourite haiku from the session:

Conclusion

The BHS 2024 Winter Gathering provided an enriching experience for members through the insightful presentations by Emiko Miyashita and Yuzo Ono, complemented by stimulating discussions and creative sharing. It sparked interest and reflection among attendees. The event sparked interest and reflection among attendees, celebrating the art of haiku while fostering connections among enthusiasts from various regions.

Write-up by Iliyana Stoyanova, Emiko Miyashita and Yuzo Ono

Photo by Emiko Miyashita