Winners of the Umi no Minwa Haiku Contest Announced by Japanese Folktales Association

Announcing the Results of the Umi no Minwa Haiku Contest

The Japan Folktales Association has announced the results of the Umi no Minwa Haiku Contest, part of the "Umi no Minwa no Machi Project". This project aims to bridge connections between people through the themes of the sea, fostering a sense of community and environmental awareness. The contest took place between December 20, 2025, and January 17, 2026, and received an impressive 209 submissions.

The competition encouraged participants to craft haikus inspired by coastal folktales that depict wisdom, prayers, and landscapes related to the sea. By integrating the rich history and cultural narratives of Japan, many entrants were able to reflect on the importance of the ocean and its stories, making this contest a powerful platform for intergenerational dialogue about maritime connections.

Award-Winning Haikus

The selection process by esteemed judges resulted in several standout pieces being recognized:

Hoshino Takashi Award

- Winning Haiku: "炎昼や海の底にも温暖化"
- Poet: Shin-sama
- Folktale Theme: "Mūi and the Abalone War" from Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Judging Commentary: Hoshino described the piece as a poignant reflection of current times, emphasizing how global warming even affects the depths of the ocean. His insight into the point of view was praised.

Umi no Minwa Award

- Winning Haiku: "新緑や小海を目指す夫婦旅"
- Poet: Sakamoto Minato-sama
- Folktale Theme: "The Couple Whale" from Koumi, Nagano
- Judging Commentary: The association appreciated how this haiku captured the essence of the original story, evoking bright imagery of new greens that harmonized with its themes.

Excellence Awards

Three additional haikus received Excellence Awards:

- Haiku: "波音は地球の息吹冬の草"

- Poet: Kameda Katsuo Bushi-sama
- Judging Commentary: Hoshino emphasized the expansiveness of the imagery connecting waves to the earth and the incorporation of winter elements.

- Haiku: "忘れまじ海への畏敬焼栄螺"

- Poet: Oda Marimo-sama
- Judging Commentary: Hoshino discussed the clever use of seasonal imagery and its juxtaposition with the ocean's depth.

- Haiku: "諍いも憂いも小事夏の海"

- Poet: MofuMofu-sama
- Judging Commentary: Praised for its language handling, Hoshino noted the subtle differences between conflict and sorrow, suggesting the summer sea's forgiving nature.