Rather than simply becoming an instructor, my wish to teach on CafeTalk stemmed from a desire to preserve and pass on within Japanese culture the tanka I currently compose – that is, tanka expressed in classical Japanese.

To put it succinctly, I believe the prevailing trend today is for tanka to be written in colloquial Japanese, freely expressing one's thoughts. However, precisely because we live in such an era, I felt it was Japanese culture that I wished to preserve, indeed must preserve, in the classical style.

 As you know, my own tanka are Japanese poems grounded in classical style. My subjects are often nature-inspired. You might find them rather dull, perhaps not particularly remarkable, but I strive to project and encapsulate myself within nature when composing them. I do revise them thoroughly. Particularly with grammatical particles and auxiliary verbs, it often takes considerable time.

I also write English tanka translations of my own works. The impetus for this came from realizing that while classical forms may not be fashionable in trendy Japan, nature is universal. So, I wondered how they might resonate globally. Translating them into English and posting on social media garnered considerable empathy from many followers.

 Through this journey, I came to wish to preserve tanka imbued with Japanese aesthetics and culture within Japan itself, which led me to volunteer as a lecturer. That was several years ago now.

While posting Japanese and English tanka on social media seeking international resonance, I was delighted to have them published in overseas poetry and literary journals, and to receive international awards.

 Recently, I was honoured to receive the PRIMO PREMIO AUTORE STRANIERO ex aequo (First Prize for Foreign Authors, joint first place) in the Italian literary competition: the Pablo Neruda International Literary Prize – Between Shadow and Soul. My joint winner was the poet Cedric Jacob.

https://www.concorsiletterari.net/rassegna-stampa/verbale-ufficiale-di-giuria-premio-internazionale-di-arte-letteraria-tra-lombra-e-lanima-pablo-neruda/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPpk5xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeVikl-g03OwngI8zK-38m0BK96dCzdfDIO9_Zxq_hMx3sOPzHUi7JNPphBmw_aem_tuEPdg2an5vLd3aSN6O7-w

The submission was a series of three tanka poems. As the winning works (the three tanka) remain unpublished, I hope to formally introduce them in due course.

With the wish to continue conveying tanka imbued with Japanese aesthetics here, I shall maintain my registration as a lecturer.

For those wishing to take lessons, I believe it is best to start by freely composing tanka in colloquial style, expressing daily thoughts. If possible, I hope to guide you gradually towards classical style tanka.

Because it is nothing less than the art of language.

I look forward to working with you all.　　　

Rika Inami