Reading performance in Japan and overseas. Mariko Kitakubo

Mariko Kitakubo Profile

Mariko Kitakubo

Born in Tokyo.
Living in Mitaka-city, Tokyo
Membership
Japan Writers' Association,
Japan PEN Club,
Association of Contemporary Tanka Poets,
Japan Tanka Poets' Society,
Kokoro-No-Hana,
Tan-Ku Co-Founder,
Tanka Society of America.

In commemoration of
15 years of tanka reading
The Latest Tanka Sequence
Original Tanka presented at
Spoken World Live

Contemprary Tanka Poet Mariko Kitakubo. Reading Performance.

Tanka reading performance oveseas.

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On February 16, 2024, I had the pleasure of participating in a reading event by Drank Poets Tokyo at Garigari, a live house in Ikeunoue, Tokyo.

Among the members were individuals I had met at the publication celebration party for Tokyo Poetry Journal Vol.14 last December.

Today, I presented a reading in Japanese and English of my previously created tanka sequence, "BanyanTree," which I composed during my past stay in India.

I was grateful to share this experience with everyone. Thank you all so much.

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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On December 9, 2023, I had the privilege of reading at the launch party of the Tokyo Poetry Journal Vol. 14. The event took place at Ryozan Park Lounge in Sugamo, Tokyo, and it was an incredibly enriching and meaningful experience for me.

Each previously designated presenter shared their unique expressions on stage, making it a memorable few hours.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Joy Waller for organizing this event. Thank you very much.

Photo by Mr. Edward Levinson.

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Monday, December 11, 2023

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On Friday, November 17, I participated in a poetry reading event at Garigari, a live bar in Ikenoue, Tokyo.

Ms. Joy Waller, the co-organizer of the event, also offered me the opportunity to be a performer at the launch party for the latest issue of Tokyo Poetry Journal, a poetry magazine for which she serves as Co-Editor. It was a great honor, and I am very grateful.

Although it was the first time for me to submit my work to the journal, my dream of being published in the journal also came true. Thank you very much to the editors for featuring my English tanka works.

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Monday, November 20, 2023

Saturday, October 14, 2023

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On October 8, 2023, I was delighted to have been invited to participate in a poetry reading event organized by NVHA at the Nick Virgilio Writers House in Camden, NJ.

Alongside Ms. Deborah P. Kolodji, I presented a selection of pieces from the Tan-Ku collection "DISTANCE" with percussion for approximately 20 minutes.

It was an honor for me to have the opportunity to introduce the Tan-Ku collection to the poetry community on the East Coast of the United States.

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Monday, October 9, 2023

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I am in the United States to attend a reading event at Nick Virgilio Writers House in Camden, New Jersey on October 8th. Along with Ms. Deborah P. Kolodji, I'll be one of the featured poets in the event.

On my second day in the U.S. on October 4th, I received a wonderful suggestion from haiku poet Mr. Henry Brann to participate in an open mic reading at Kelly Writers House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Most of the attendees at the Kelly Writers House event were young university or graduate students. It was an honor to present a tanka reading in both Japanese and English. Some of them were even moved to tears as they heard Tanka for the first time.

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Saturday, October 7, 2023

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Mr. Edward Levinson, a haiku poet, and a photographer, invited me to participate in an open mic reading of "Drunk Poets Tokyo."

It is an event of a private poetry group hosted by Mr. Samm Bennett and Mr. Joy Waller.

Mr. Levinson and I belong to the Japan PEN club, where we got to know each other.

It was my first time taking part in this event, and it had been a while since my previous performance in Japan.

I had a great time with the participants as we were all inspired by each other's expressions. Thank you very much.

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Saturday, July 22, 2023

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On July 11, 2023, the excellent painter Ms. Susan Dobey, whom I have known for a long time, invited me to her art gallery and gave a tanka reading performance for those who rarely have a chance to listen to tanka poetry.

I was very happy to have the opportunity to perform Tan-Ku's reading from DISTANCE, which I co-authored with Ms. Deborah P. Kolodji.

For background music, Mr. Rick Wilson played an old Native American vertical flute in addition to my percussion.
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From Tan-Ku Collection, " DISTANCE"

In the Wind

wild dogs
can smell
our wildness
the traces of us
in ruined cities

   a mockingbird
   learns a new song
   refugees

it might
be raining ashes
across the sea
across the border
settled in time

   wings of planes
   wings of birds
   no doves

waiting
for a twig of
olive
shining green
forgogtten ark

   new skies
   condors return
   from near-extinction

  

Move to "Reading Performance"

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

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On July 6, 2023, I participated as a featured poet in "Poetry in Nature," a reading event organized by Ms. Teresa Mei Chuc of Shabda Press and Ms. Deborah P. Kolodji.

Two of our good friends, and excellent poets, Ms. Lois P. Jones and Ms. Mary Torregrossa, were delighted to participate in this event, which also served as a celebration of the publication of the book "DISTANCE," which I co-authored with Ms. Deborah P. Kolodji, published by Shabda Press.

20230706_02.png I am deeply grateful to them for their inspiring and healing performances.

Thank you to all those who participated in the open mic and to the audience who enjoyed it. Thank you very much.

  

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Friday, July 7, 2023

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On July 2nd, Ms. Deborah P Kolodji and I performed Tan-Ku reading at Haiku Northern America Tanka Monday Eve in Cincinati.
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HNA Tanka Monday 2023 schedule.

 

Move to "Reading Performance"  

Monday, July 3, 2023