30 Poems in 30 Days: Writing Japanese Poetic Forms

Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Japanese poetic forms in this generative, month-long writing adventure. Each day, you’ll receive an email featuring a short poem and an insightful essay exploring the poet, form, and historical context. Let these daily reflections stir your creativity—whether you craft a full poem or a single evocative line, each response will bring you closer to your own distinct poetic voice.

Throughout the course, we’ll engage with the work of 30 poets, responding to their poems through imitation, transformation, and experimentation. The list of writers includes the obvious (Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki); award-winning contemporary haiku poets Goran Gatalica of Croatia and Kanchan Chatterjee of India; and female waka/tanka poets including Izumi Shikibu (976-1030), Yosano Akiko (1878-1942) and Tawara Machi (b. 1962). You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for haiku, tanka, and other Japanese poetic forms while exploring how they have evolved across languages and cultures.

This course is open to writers of all genres who are curious about Japanese literature and eager to engage with language in new ways. You’ll receive four rounds of personalized instructor feedback on your writing, and will have the option to share daily responses with your fellow poets. We’ll also gather for two live Zoom sessions—at the end of the first and third week—for Q&A and discussion.

By the end of these 30 days, you’ll leave with:

• A unique collection of poems inspired by Japanese forms
• A deeper understanding of Japanese literary traditions and their global influence
• New creative approaches to incorporating poetic techniques into your writing

No prior poetry experience is necessary—just a willingness to engage, experiment, and let these poetic forms guide your imagination!

Who This Course is For

This course is for writers eager to explore Japanese poetic forms, from haiku to tanka and beyond, while deepening their understanding of Japanese poets and literary traditions. It’s perfect for those who are curious about the history of Japan and its influence on poetry, as well as writers looking for a structured, daily practice to generate new work. Whether you’re an experienced poet or new to poetic forms, this course will inspire you to write for 30 consecutive days and build a unique collection of your own.

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

• You will have a deeper understanding of Japanese poetics which will let you:
  • Distill your thoughts and write compactly.
  • Let poetic forms help you and liberate you. 
  • Experiment with forms to suit your writing style and purposes.
• Discover and learn from thirty memorable poets and their work.
• Develop your own opinions about Japanese poetic forms.

Writing Goals

• Write everyday—even a line—for thirty days.
• Build a unique collection of new poems.

Course Structure

• Each day for 30 days, you’ll receive a daily email featuring a poet, one selected work, a brief essay, and reference material to deepen your understanding.
• There will be optional Zoom gatherings held on days 7 and 21 for connection and discussion of our work.
• You’ll also receive detailed feedback from me on days 5, 15, 25, and 30 to support your growth throughout the course.

Click the Enroll Now button below, enter your details on the Checkout page,
and reserve your spot in the course.

$395.00 Original price was: $395.00.$340.00Current price is: $340.00.Enroll Now