Ginko ( composing haiku or tanka while strolling) June 17th 2014
Yesterday we did ginko at Koishikawa Kourakuen park. The park was built in early 17th century as the garden of Mito family which was one of three branch families of Tokugawa Shogun house.
The park is located at the center of Tokyo city and surrounded by tall buildings. However the park still keeps quiet and sophisticated atmosphere with affluent greens and flowers. It was the best timing to enjoy young leaves and flowers of hydrangea and water lily.
Nine composers gathered and strolled the park for few hours. After taking a lunch at an old fashioned restaurant, each composer presented 4 pieces of Haiku (Japanese style short poem composed by 17 letters), then commented each other on all works. Finally we selected superior works by vote.
It is enjoyable to have ginko or kukai (Haiku gathering to present works and comment each other). And also, it is good opportunity for us to understand Haiku better and improve our skill to compose Haiku. Furthermore it is quite healthy for our mind and body.
Koishikawa Korakuen
