Contemprary Tanka Poet Mariko Kitakubo.
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I am grateful that Shot Glass Journal, an online poetry magazine, has published three new Tan-Ku works that Deborah and I co-wove.
* Click the images below to view the pages in Shot Glass Journal.
The Wait
by Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
high tide
makes me
defenseless. . .
ancient blue of
the Pacific Ocean (M)
your ship shrinking
into the horizon
I wait ashore (D)
February
by Deborah P Kolodji and Mariko Kitakubo
morning sunshine
the snow where
you are (D)
invisible now
but I'm sure
Sakura's
flowering power
will surround us (M)
Sundial
by Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
this sunset
is only for today
step by step
I'll be able to
start a new life (M)
ocean swallowing
the remaining light
moonrise? (D)
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
I express my gratitude to Mr. A A Marcoff for his wonderful review of DISTANCE in Vol. 33 No. 4 of Blithe Spirit, the poetry magazine of the British Haiku Society.
In his review, Mr. Marcoff compared the book to the works of great musicians like Bach, Matisse, and Cézanne.
I would also like to thank the editors of Blithe Spirit for providing valuable space for the review.
Distance by Mariko Kitakubo, Deborah P Kolodji, Shabda Press, 2023, paperback, 94 pages,
Mariko (Japan) writes tanka. Deborah (California) writes haiku. After the pandemic brought them together on the internet, these two great voices are now become as sisters in poetry, linked across the ocean, and in their book of tanka and haiku in combinations (Tan-Ku), they have composed a magical, sublime duet, improvisations in realities and dreams.
Constructed with echo, counterpoint and reprise, this book seems like a Bach concerto for two interweaving violins. The two poets are dream- travellers, and at times touch the cosmos in a 'Music of the Galaxy'. But in this haiku, we are brought from the stars right down to earth:
expanse
of the universe
a boy and his dog
In mirrors of the soul, Distance offers us a little kaleidoscope of everything, in 'emanations' (Matisse) and 'realisations' (Cezanne), that takes us from Samarkand and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania (with its cradle or creation of the species), to Asakusa and the Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo. Sometimes we are led through a Torii (Shinto gateway) that marks a transition from the mundane to the sacred. These haiku and tanka were created in the spontaneity of the moment out of an emotion heightened by the pandemic. Several times I heard reverberations of the Zen koan, 'show me your face before you were born'.
Both poets are seasoned practitioners, and both are well-travelled. Mariko in particular, by all accounts a deeply impressive performer of her tanka, has taken her art all over the globe, and has made tanka truly international, touching so many hearts and minds:
through
the antique glass
dawn
comes into the world
spring snow
or petals of sakura
falling falling
like ashes in Ukraine
Deborah, Moderator of the Southern California Haiku Study Group, has travelled to Tokyo to do a haiku presentation:
the sea pounding
even in my dreams
dolphins
bees in soft petals
I open my arms
to the sun
Together they have given us the light of the stars, and the raw beauty and authenticity of things. They write with real flair, with the flow of things (they quote Heraclitus and his concept of 'Panta Rhei' ('Everything flows')), in spontaneous observations and essentials. We are left with the human condition, the way of life itself, couched in small poems that express the inexpressible with wonder. This is a book to love - absolutely. Absolutely in a relative world.
A A Marcoff
Monday, February 5, 2024
The Scarlet Dragonfly Journal, a net poetry journal, posted our new Tan-Ku set appropriate for the Christmas season.
We extend our gratitude to editor Ms. Kathleen Trocmet.
Thank you very much.
https://scarletdragonflyjournal.wordpress.com/2023/12/24/far-north/
Far North
distant sleigh bells
sinking into a dreamland
Christmas (D)
St. Nicolas
left the reins
in the air
salmon pink
aurora (M)
— Deborah P Kolodji, USA / Mariko Kitakubo, Japan
Monday, December 25, 2023
"Under the Basho" recently published two new Tan-Ku sequences that we created after the release of DISTANCE.
We sincerely appreciate Mr. Clayton Beach, editor of "Under the Basho Journal."
>> Under the Basho / "A Higher Sky" page
>> Under the Basho / "Spring Rain" page
Monday, December 18, 2023
Ms. Vicki Miko wrote an excellent review for the book "DISTANCE." My sincere gratitude to Ms. Vicki Miko.
Deborah P. Kolodji and Mariko Kitakubo, both accomplished poets, have created a new form they have named, Tan-Ku. For those familiar with the appeal of short-form poems, Debbie and Mariko respond to each other via tanka and haiku, or the other way around, whoever starts the set or sequence first. The haiku is by Debbie and the tanka is by Mariko. Here are two of my favorite:
Footsteps
autumn forest
deepens and deepens
in color
who knows
when I will disappear
chilled by the wind
each step closer
to winter
~
Beyond the Marine Layer
an ocean of traffic
far below the sugar pine
island in the sky
here was
the seabed,
long ago. . .
Himalayan poppy
unforgettable blue
Debbie
“Writing these poems of tanka/haiku response occurred organically, it wasn’t something we set out to create.” and “Mariko and I started having tanka/haiku conversations and found it addicting, the differences between tanka and haiku expressed as two voices, complementing each other.”
Mother Angel
dust
on a Tiffany lamp
estate sale
through
the antique glass
dawn
comes into
the world
Mariko
“The many co-creations we spun together, exchanging daily via smartphone messages were like a stream flowing in the light and shade.” and “A string of words from our souls while gritting our teeth and overcoming hardships.”
The Color red
a fir tree
in the maple forest
forever
green. . .
melancholy
dressing up drab clothes
with Christmas bling
I feel like singing
I love the seven chapter titles that carry the poems through a visible connection of different cultures and experiences—from “we hold virtual hands” to “as the road bends” to “my words drift.”
Through the Clouds
wiping off
and wiping off
the dark. . .
footsteps
in the cloud
foggy morning
searching for a ray of light
within the gray
I can’t see
my fairy shoes
in the weds
trapped by gravity
within the haze
blurry-eyed
a bee dusts
the pollen
loving
your crossed
fingers. . .
a bottle of mead
across the ocean
outstretched wings
the scan beep
of a boarding pass
DISTANCE is an expressive, heartfelt look into kindred hearts. It is a beautiful new form of short poems. The two authors touch something inside everyone.
- Vicki Miko
move to "Publication & Poet" page
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Mr. William Scott Galasso wrote an excellent review on the California State Poetry Society website for the book "DISTANCE." My sincere gratitude to Mr. William Scott Galasso.
WILLIAM SCOTT GALASSO REVIEWS DISTANCE by MARIKO KITAKUBO & DEBORAH P KOLODJI
Distance. Tan-ku Sequences and Sets by Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P. Kolodji, Shabda Press, Duarte, CA www.shabdapress.com. 2023, 93 pp.$18.00 U.S (softcover), print 2023932505, ISBN:978-1-7377113-6-0
Deborah P. Kolodji is the longtime Moderator of the Southern California Haiku Study Group, a member of the board of directors for Haiku North America, and the inaugural recipient of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association’s Presidents’ Lifetime Service Award. In addition, her highway of sleeping towns haiku poetry collection was awarded a Touchstone Distinguished Book Award from The Haiku Foundation. Mariko Kitakubo of Tokyo, is renowned for seven tanka collections, three of which are bilingual Cicada Forest, On This Same Star, and 2016’s Indigo. Needless to say, given their combined literary pedigree, their collaborative work Distance sets a high bar concerning one’s expectations.
Fortunately, Distance, subtitled Tan-Ku Sequences and Sets (for tanka and haiku), not only meets but exceeds these lofty expectations. These longtime friends, one might suggest (twin daughters of different mothers) have esteemed one another’s work for years. Each sharing their work and experiencing travels back and forth from the U.S and Japan between 2007-2019.
Then the pandemic struck and most conversation frequently expressed in verse (haiku by Deborah and tanka by Mariko), became their modus operandi. The first of seven sections, we hold virtual hands illustrates how these gifted poets formulated their dialogue. One would text, the other would respond and bridging the time and distance between them literally and figuratively. They did more than cope with different time zones, they excelled in creating unexpected connections.
The still waters of their call and response formula regardless of the specific subject matter inform each other and grow with each reading. Each of the seven sections is distinct in focus, yet they achieve synchronicity when considered as a whole. Here are some samples of their sets and sequences. I’ve chosen shorter pieces (primarily the sets) as examples due to limitations of space. However, the reward of reading the sequences contained this work is equal in terms of consistent quality.
This piece is from the initial section, we hold virtual hands:
Connecting Souls
there is
an invisible thread
between us…
quietness of
the pearl oyster
closing my eyes
I see your face
Vermeer’s earring
And this from the second section the eternal wind focused on Deborah’s battling illness:
Cancer
wind will bring
the summer storm
my garden
bordered by living
cadmium yellow
wild mustard
growing out of control
clinical trail
And section three presents us with a classical Japanese reference:
Forest Bathing
uphill path
I slow down to breathe
the pine scent
she perches
at the edge of
my straw hat
a butterfly’s siesta
in emerald breeze
Each section gives us a deep sense nature’s healing power and inherent beauty, a part of Gaia’s treasured gift to us, her children. Hence, reminding us of our own responsibility as stewards of the earth. Here are two more samples that conjure two very different strands of the emotional spectrum the first derives from traces of us, the second from the section entitled my words drift.
End of the Tunnel
no one knows…
I escaped from
his violence
silent night
holy night
no more scarves
to hide the bruises
New Year’s resolution
In contrast with the celebratory…
9th Inning
losing streak
the crack of his bat
hits a foul ball
every motion
stops and restarts
slowly…
we catch our breath
Gyakuten Sayonara!
The final line means “coming from behind,” a “goodbye,” a homer with the bases loaded that give a team the lead.
Finally, I would be remiss not to include a sequence, from as the road bends:
First Blanket
behind
pale cloud face
the dignity
before perfection
chestnut moon
waiting, waiting
the slow rise
of the sun
previously…
what do you
remember?
smiles for the sky
newborn baby
first blanket
your face peeking out
from its folds
This collection Distance is full of quiet beauty and a wide range of subject matter comes Highly Recommended.
- William Scott Galasso
California State Poetry Society web page
move to "Publication & Poet" page
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
MARIKO KITAKUBO
Three short poems
1
listening
to water sounds
from the beech bark
miss you
so
2
the hummingbird
also joins
our breakfast
your shining lips
honey
3
forget
your sad days
shining
his tanned collarbone
age sixteen
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
 |
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. |
Monday, December 11, 2023
English poetry journal "Mariposa" in its Winter Issue 2023 issue #49 published a Tan-Ku set that Deborah and I weaved together.
Through the Torii Gate
Deborah P Kolodji
Mariko Kitakubo
light through trees
a swallowtail follows me
on the garden path (D)
waking up
without anxiety
this morning,
parents are smiling
in my dreams (M)
Friday, December 1, 2023
In its Yearbook 2023, Tanka Kenkyu introduced "DISTANCE."
It is a collection of sequences of Tanka and Haiku published by Shabda Press, Inc. in April 2023.
It is my seventh book and is very special to me.
The book is a selection of our collaborative work of sequences of Tanka and Haiku, which Ms. Deborah P Kolodji and I wrote together during 2019 - 2022 when the COVID pandemic divided us between the Pacific.
We named this new style of poetry literature "Tan-Ku." We also received an unexpected honor from the California Senate State and Assembly for this book.
I am deeply grateful for Tanka Kenkyu Inc.'s attention to this collection.
About the list of poetry collections and poetry books for the year 2023
(i) The list covers those published between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.
(ii) The order of the descriptions is author, book title, edition type, page number, price (excluding tax), and place of publication.
Monday, November 27, 2023
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