Start of Uminominwa Haiku Contest: Capture the Ocean's Spirit

Uminominwa Haiku Contest Launches

The Japan Storytelling Association and the Nippon Foundation have initiated an exciting new project titled “Uminominwa Haiku Contest: Observe, Feel, and Weave Words.” This contest encourages participants to create haiku based on ocean-themed animations, with submissions opening on December 20, 2025, and running until January 17, 2026. Under the guidance of special judge Takashi Hoshino, President of the International Haiku Association, this contest marks a unique opportunity to intertwine traditional Japanese haiku with contemporary animation art.

Contest Overview

The Uminominwa Haiku Contest invites participants to select from a diverse array of over 100 previously created ocean-themed animation works. These animations depict the wisdom, prayers, and breathtaking landscapes associated with the lives of people connected to the sea. By integrating Uminominwa stories with various art forms, the contest seeks to explore new avenues for creative expression. Everyone is welcome to participate!

Registration Period

The contest runs from December 20, 2025, to January 17, 2026.

Submission Details

Participants are encouraged to compose haiku inspired by designated ocean-themed animation works.

Eligibility

Anyone residing in Japan who agrees to the contest's rules can enter, regardless of experience.

How to Enter

1. Follow the Uminominwa Project's official account on X (Twitter) at @uminominwa.
2. Choose your favorite ocean-themed animation and compose a haiku based on it.
3. Post your haiku and your name (pen name) on X, including the hashtags #海ノ民話 (Uminominwa) and the title of the selected animation.

Example Submission (X Post)

An example submission on X would look like this:

Haiku (your poem)

By: (your name)

#海ノ民話 #AnimationTitle

Prizes

Entries compete for exciting prizes:

- Takashi Hoshino Award (1 winner): Amazon gift card worth ¥20,000
- Uminominwa Award (1 winner): Amazon gift card worth ¥10,000
- Excellence Awards (3 winners): Amazon gift cards worth ¥5,000 each

Announcement of Results

Contest results will be announced at the end of February 2026 on the Uminominwa Project website.

Special Judge Profile

Takashi Hoshino
Born in 1952 in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Takashi began writing haiku under the guidance of his grandmother, Takako Hoshino, during his teenage years. He has remained a pivotal figure in promoting haiku culture. His published collections include Hama-ya, Yato, Mujinzo, Kaori, and Zankyo, with his 2023 collection Konton earning him the Poetry Literature Museum Award and the Haiku Shiki Grand Prize. Takashi is the director of the Kamakura Kyoshi Ritsuko Memorial Hall and oversees the haiku magazine Tamamo. He is the President of the International Haiku Association and a member of various other literary organizations.

About the Uminominwa Project

The Uminominwa Project is a part of the Nippon Foundation’s “Ocean and Japan Project.” This initiative aims to pass down a rich understanding of marine narratives to children. By uncovering traditional stories tied to the sea and transforming them into engaging animations, it strives to teach lessons and values associated with them to the next generation.

For more information, visit the official sites: