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2025 Literary Week in Nagoya “Tanka Club @ Nagoya”
Call for Japanese poetic form “Tanka” Submissions
Limited to Tanka poems written in Japanese.
The application button is at the bottom. Please read the following before applying.
Theme of Tanka (Choose from 3 options)
"River," "City," "Castle"
Tanka that evoke the themes above are also acceptable,
even if these words are not explicitly included.
〇Background of the Tanka Competition
Tanka is a traditional Japanese form of poetry composed of 31 syllables in the 5-7-5-7-7pattern.
Since the Meiji period(1868-1912), Nagoya has been active in the creation of Tanka.
■Application Period
From July 1 (Tuesday) to August 29 (Friday), until 24:00 (midnight).
The application form will close at 24:00.
■How to Apply
Apply via the online form
■Target poetry
Tanka poems written in Japanese .
Submissions from international students and learners of Japanese are welcome!
■Entry Rules
・Submit your own original unpublished tanka in Japanese.
(works published in doujinshi, literary groups, or online are not eligible)
・No joint authorship or group entries.
・You may submit up to three poems per person, but only one per theme.
・Tanka may have slightly more or fewer syllables than the standard 31, but aim for 31 characters.
・Do not insert spaces between phrases. (no "word-spacing")
・See the official website for other formatting, rules, and copyright policies.
・Applications using generative AI are not accepted.
■Awards
(Total 8 Winners)
Gold Prize (1 poem): ¥5,000 book tokens in Japan + printed on souvenir bookmark
Silver Prize (2 poems): ¥3,000 book tokens in Japan + printed on souvenir bookmark
Honorable Mention (2 poems): ¥1,000 book tokens in Japan + printed on souvenir bookmark
Advisor’s Prize (3 poem): ¥1,000 book tokens in Japan + printed on souvenir bookmark
■Award Announcement & Workshop
Winners will be announced during the event “Tanka Club @ Nagoya Award Ceremony & Workshop” below and later published on the official website.
Winners attending in person will receive the award at the event.
Those who cannot attend will be contacted and receive their award by mail in November.
※No notifications will be sent to non-winners. Thank you for your understanding.
“Tanka Club @ Nagoya” Award Ceremony & Workshop
※Please note that the Award Ceremony & Workshop will be held in Japanese.
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: From 13:30 (approx. 2 hours)
Venue: Nagoya City Tanka Hall (Nagoya Municipal Subway: Fushimi Station, Exit 1)
Participation Fee: ¥500 (ticketed; details to be shared on the website and in flyers from mid-September)
Program:
First half: Announcement and commentary on Advisor and Leader Prizes
Second half: Tanka writing workshop by the Leaders (subject to change)
■Selection Committee
(50 syllabary order, titles omitted)
Advisor: Shuzo Shimada (Tanka poets)
Leaders: Soichi Chigusa (Tanka poets)
Kyoko Toda (Tanka poets)
Limited to Tanka poems written in Japanese.
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