Biken International
2nd World Poetry Contest 2006 Announcement

"Poetry Rings the World"

Biken International, Japan’s premiere publisher of art and craft magazines and organizer of international benefit exhibitions, has launched its second “World Poetry Contest”. The organizers hope to spread the wave of writing poetry around the world and promote the distinctive Japanese styles of haiku, tanka, and senryu. Interest in Japanese-style poems has grown year by year, particularly in the Americas and Europe.

Biken International would like to foster international exchange in poetry through its World Poetry Contests. The first World Poetry Contest was held in Russia in 2002. This 2nd World Poetry Contest will coincide with the New York International Art Festival 2006—'EN'—The Art of Japanese Identity Charity Arts Festival in Chelsea, New York City, 13-15 December 2006 and include entries in English from North America. (“En” means “circle” and “charming”; it suggests connection and beauty.)

The Grand Prize: a Round-Trip Ticket to Japan

After the New York Charity Art Festival 'EN', local judges will make a preliminary selection from all entries and literary artists who contributed their works at the exhibition will select the winning poem. The winning poet will receive a round-trip ticket to Japan.

Rules

Organizer: The Poetry Renaissance Executive Committee of Biken International.
Deadline: Entries must be received at the exhibition or in hand at the address below by 31st December 2006.
Prize: One winner will receive a round-trip ticket to Japan.
Eligibility: Open to all residents of North America (Canada, Mexico, United States) writing in English.
Entries: The following types of poems may be submitted: haiku (3 lines); senryu (3 lines); tanka (5 lines); short poems (up to 15 lines). Each person may submit up to 5 entries. All entries must be unpublished and the original work of the person submitting the entry.
Rights: Entry cards become the property of Biken International, with the right of first publication and non-exclusive world rights for the winning poem thereafter. All other rights remain with the author.
Format: Each entry must be submitted by postcard, one poem per card. Please note the following format:

Post Card FRONT Text:

Your Name Your Address Your City, State ZIP/Postal Code Your Country Your Phone Number, Age, Gender (M/F)	Postage Here
	Ms. Mio Hayafuji “Poetry Renaissance” Contest c/o Algorithmic Creations LLC 55 Broad Street, 16th Floor New York, NY 10004 USA

Post Card BACK Text:

Your submitted poem, typed or printed carefully.

Please note: Do not put your name or other identifying information on the same side as the poem. Please do be sure to include your phone number, age, and gender (M or F) on the side with the addresses. Note that entries may also be deposited in the specially marked box at the New York International Art Festival 2006—'EN'. Details on the event are available on the Biken International web site, here: http://lifeisart.ne.jp/archives/2006/10/en_the_art_of_j.html.

Delivery: Entries may be stamped and sent by mail, as above, or placed in an entry box during the exhibition New York Art Charity Festival 2006 “EN” at the Gallery Room of the Metropolitan Pavilion.
Local Judges: William J. Higginson, and Penny Harter, poets and Past Presidents, the Haiku Society of America.
Decisions: Decisions of the judges will be final. The winner will be announced in “Poetry Renaissance Magazine” published by The Poetry Renaissance Executive Committee the end of June 2007.

A copy of the rules may be printed out as a Microsoft Word document, found on this web site here: http://haikai.home.att.net/biken-world-poetry-contest-flyer.rtf.

(Japanese poets should see the Japanese contest information on the Biken International web site, at http://lifeisart.ne.jp/.)

Note: William J. Higginson and Penny Harter will be the "local judges" for this contest. Final selection of the winning poem and other works to be published will be made from our preliminary selection, by a group of qualified judges in Japan. We are not responsible for contest information included here or on the linked document file. Under no circumstances will we enter into any correspondence, by e-mail, post, or any other means, regarding this contest. Those wishing additional information should contact Ms. Mio Hayafuji, at the address given above.

This page first posted 1 December 2006 and last updated 1 December 2006. Copyright in all materials is retained by the authors. Copyright © 2006 by William J. Higginson and the authors. All rights reserved. No material from this web site may be copied on other web sites, produced in printed copies, or otherwise reproduced except as explicitly stated on a particular page, or by permission of the authors in writing. Please do not e-mail copies of this web page; rather, send the URL: http://haikai.home.att.net/bikenworldpoetrycontest.2006.html.