Japanese Literary Awards

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Mikiko Yokoyama

よこやま みきこ

Yokoyama Mikiko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1972-01-09 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Religion
Protestant (United Church of Christ in Japan) Baptized in 1992

Career

Occupations
Tanka poet, Instructor
Active Years
1996-
Affiliations
Tanka circle Chikuhakkai (Kokoro no Hana), Japan Writers' Association (Nihon Bungeika Kyokai)
Memberships
Japan Writers' Association (Nihon Bungeika Kyokai), Modern Tanka Poets Association (associated)
Influenced By
Ayako Miura, Yukitsuna Sasaki

Awards

Tanka Kenkyu Newcomer Award
1996
Work: Akaruru Natsu (30 tanka)
Organization: Tanka Kenkyusha
Result: 受賞
Kuzuhara Taeko Prize
2008
Work: Tanka collection 'Hana no Senga' (Flower Line Drawing)
Organization: Kuzuhara Taeko Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Sato Sataro Tanka Prize
2021
Work: Tanka collection 'Toku Kiri-mase'
Organization: Sato Sataro Tanka Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

For a Lone Sleep Under the Trees

1998 Tanka

First collection. Contains tanka characterized by careful observation of everyday life and a poised classical style.

everyday lifenatureinteriority

The Hand That Parts the Water

2003 Tanka

Second collection. Shows maturity in sharp linguistic sensibility and transparent expression.

observationlightbodily sensation

Flower Line Drawing

2007 Tanka

Third collection. Gained acclaim for its delicate gaze at plants and still lifes and poised classical style. Winner of the Kuzuhara Taeko Prize.

plantsstill lifeobservation

Golden Rain

2012 Tanka

Fourth collection. Contains mature works, some of which were selected for school textbooks.

timememorylight

Afternoon Butterfly

2015 Tanka

Fifth collection. Focuses on delicate observation and metaphor.

changenaturemoments

Toku Kiri-mase

2021 Tanka

Sixth collection. Received high praise for its unique observational eye and transparent poetic language; winner of the Sato Sataro Tanka Prize.

everyday lifeseasonslinguistic sensibility

Bibliography

  • For a Lone Sleep Under the Trees
  • The Hand That Parts the Water
  • Flower Line Drawing
  • Golden Rain
  • Afternoon Butterfly
  • Toku Kiri-mase
  • How to Make Easy Tanka for Beginners
  • Alkali-Colored Clouds: Reading Kenji Miyazawa's Youthful Tanka (editor)
  • The Easiest Tanka: Easy to Read and Learn

Style & Themes

Literary Style
poised classical-style languagetransparent expressionsharp linguistic sensibilityobservation-based depiction
Recurring Motifs
plantslightdetails of everyday lifebodily sensation

Health

  • Congenital frailty / chronic poor health
    幼少期〜
    Received visiting education at special schools since childhood; health has required accommodations and influenced life and creative activity.

Legacy

A prominent contemporary tanka poet known for keen observation and a transparent classical style. Holder of several awards, featured in textbooks, and active as a judge and instructor.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Writers' Association (Nihon Bungeika Kyokai)
  • Modern Tanka Poets Association (associated)

Trivia

  • Certified master in calligraphy (member of Shosho-kai without examination / councilor of Kenshin Calligraphy Association / selected for Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition)
  • Passed the university entrance qualification exam in 1990
  • Began writing tanka inspired by Ayako Miura's tanka
  • Appointed a selector for NHK Tanka program (E-TV) in 2025