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). For 2026, we will also engage with some Chinese poetry and its influence on Japanese poetry. Much of the content has been updated from 2025.

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 multiple rounds of personalized instructor feedback on your writing, and will have the option to share daily responses with your fellow poets.

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.

I am confident in the statements above because: 

• Many poets accomplished 30 or more poems during the duration. 
• I receive publication news in haiku / tanka and other journals from the past participants.
• Some are working on new initiatives and have returned to the class transformed. 

Bring 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 lesson featuring a poet, one selected work, a brief essay, and reference material to deepen your understanding.
• There will be optional five zoom gatherings. Each Zoom session features a themed presentation, work sharing and Q&A.
• Zoom dates: January 2027 Wednesdays on 6, 13, 20, and 27th from 6 -8 pm EST.
• You’ll also receive generous feedback throughout the duration of 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