Tanka Boom on SNS! Kleenex Ruisen Tanka Campaign Launched to Express Thoughts and Emotions in 5-7-5-7-7 Form! Grand Prize of 300,000 Yen, Judges Include Hikorohi, Tanka Poet Tatsuya Kinoshita, and Writer Ran Domon
Nippon Paper Crecia, part of the Nippon Paper Group, is launching the "Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" campaign from May 11, 2026, inviting emotionally resonant Tanka poems on the theme of "tears." This campaign taps into the recent Tanka boom on social media, especially among Gen Z, and offers prizes including a grand prize of 300,000 yen. Judges include comedian Hikorohi, Tanka poet Tatsuya Kinoshita, and writer Ran Domon.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 12:29 (57 min after Collected)
Nippon Paper Crecia Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Atsumi Yasunaga, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), a Nippon Paper Group company, is launching the "Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" campaign from May 11, 2026 (Monday). This campaign, under the globally beloved brand "Kleenex" (cherished in over 175 countries), seeks emotionally moving Tanka poems.
Recently, Tanka has been booming on social media, particularly among Gen Z. With the number of applications to traditional Tanka awards, considered a gateway for poets, also on an upward trend in recent years, this contest invites emotionally resonant Tanka poems on the theme of "tears" – aptly named "Ruisen Tanka" (Tear Duct Tanka). Cash prizes are prepared for the Grand Prize, Excellence Awards, and Judges' Awards. Why not express your various thoughts and emotions in the 5-7-5-7-7 form of Tanka?
The judges will be comedian Hikorohi, Tanka poet Tatsuya Kinoshita, and writer Ran Domon. Comments from these three judges expressing their enthusiasm for participating will be released in this press release.
<"Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" Special Website URL> https://kleenex.crecia.jp/cp/ruisentanka/
■ About "Kleenex Ruisen Tanka"
【Background of the Project】
When I first heard that more people are becoming interested in Tanka, I was surprised. However, upon reflection, in today's world where smartphones and social media are commonplace tools for communication, I wondered if people are naturally training themselves daily on how to express themselves with fewer characters. I also thought that emotional expression would be part of that.
Tanka, with its 31-character limit, can move people's hearts. We were delighted to conceive this project, hoping that through this wonderful literary form, our Kleenex could wipe away everyone's tears.
Toshihiko Hasegawa, Marketing Department, Nippon Paper Crecia
【Contest Details】
<"Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" Special Website URL> https://kleenex.crecia.jp/cp/ruisentanka/
■ Application Period: May 11, 2026 (Monday) 00:00 to June 30, 2026 (Tuesday) 23:59
■ How to Apply: Complete your application by posting a 5-7-5-7-7 Tanka on X with the hashtag "#クリネックス涙腺短歌".
*Each person (1 account) can submit up to 100 poems.
■ Prizes:
・Grand Prize (1 winner): 300,000 yen
・Excellence Award (5 winners): 50,000 yen
・Judges' Award (5 winners each × 3 judges, total 15 winners): 30,000 yen
・Honorable Mention (30 winners): Assortment of Kleenex products
■ Results Announcement:
Winning entries will be announced on August 21, 2026 (Friday) on the "Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" special website (https://kleenex.crecia.jp/cp/ruisentanka/) (scheduled).
Winners will be guided to an information input form for prize money/product receipt via direct message (DM) from the campaign secretariat (scheduled sequentially from August 2026).
■ Judges:
・Hikorohi
Belongs to Shochiku Geino. Debuted as a solo comedian in 2011. Her unique world view and character-driven solo skits are popular, with all her solo performances selling out immediately. She is active in a wide range of fields, including variety show appearances, drama and film roles, writing, and design. Her first collection of short stories, "Mokutte Shabette" (Asahi Shimbun Publications), won the 31st Shimase Love Literature Award.
・Tatsuya Kinoshita
Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1988. Tanka poet. His Tanka collections include "Tsumujikaze, Koko ni Arimasu," "Kimi wo Kirai na Yatsu wa Kuzu da yo," "All Around You," and "Anata no Tame no Tanka Shu." He has also authored numerous other books, including the introductory Tanka book "Tensai ni Yoru Bonjin no Tame no Tanka Kyoshitsu" and a co-authored work with Shuntaro Tanikawa, "Kore yori Saki ni wa Haeremasen." He is a selector for NHK E-tele's "NHK Tanka" in fiscal year 2025.
・Ran Domon
Writer. Born in Hiroshima in 1985, resides in Kyoto. Writes literary works such as novels, Tanka, and essays, as well as interview articles. Her books include "Shinu made Ikiru Nikki," which won the "1st Ikiru Hon Award," as well as "100 Nen Go Anata mo Watashi mo Inai Hi ni" (co-authored with Mayumi Terada), "Keieisha no Kodoku," "Senso to Gonin no Onna," "Somosomo Kokan Nikki" (co-authored with Naoko Sakurabayashi), and "Honto no Koto wo Kaku Renshu: 'Watashi no Kotoba' de Tajya to Tsunagaru Bunshojutsu."
【About the Tanka Boom】
It is said that a Tanka boom has arrived, centered on young people in their 20s. According to Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, in 2026, an era called the "emotion mute society," over 60% (63.8%) of consumers feel that opportunities to openly express their honest emotions and feelings are "decreasing."
"They acquire empathy for others as manners, prioritizing consideration for others over expressing personal emotions. In a life focused on efficiency, they may feel that expressing or feeling emotions is unproductive."
Recently, Tanka has been booming on social media, particularly among Gen Z. With the number of applications to traditional Tanka awards, considered a gateway for poets, also on an upward trend in recent years, this contest invites emotionally resonant Tanka poems on the theme of "tears" – aptly named "Ruisen Tanka" (Tear Duct Tanka). Cash prizes are prepared for the Grand Prize, Excellence Awards, and Judges' Awards. Why not express your various thoughts and emotions in the 5-7-5-7-7 form of Tanka?
The judges will be comedian Hikorohi, Tanka poet Tatsuya Kinoshita, and writer Ran Domon. Comments from these three judges expressing their enthusiasm for participating will be released in this press release.
<"Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" Special Website URL> https://kleenex.crecia.jp/cp/ruisentanka/
■ About "Kleenex Ruisen Tanka"
【Background of the Project】
When I first heard that more people are becoming interested in Tanka, I was surprised. However, upon reflection, in today's world where smartphones and social media are commonplace tools for communication, I wondered if people are naturally training themselves daily on how to express themselves with fewer characters. I also thought that emotional expression would be part of that.
Tanka, with its 31-character limit, can move people's hearts. We were delighted to conceive this project, hoping that through this wonderful literary form, our Kleenex could wipe away everyone's tears.
Toshihiko Hasegawa, Marketing Department, Nippon Paper Crecia
【Contest Details】
<"Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" Special Website URL> https://kleenex.crecia.jp/cp/ruisentanka/
■ Application Period: May 11, 2026 (Monday) 00:00 to June 30, 2026 (Tuesday) 23:59
■ How to Apply: Complete your application by posting a 5-7-5-7-7 Tanka on X with the hashtag "#クリネックス涙腺短歌".
*Each person (1 account) can submit up to 100 poems.
■ Prizes:
・Grand Prize (1 winner): 300,000 yen
・Excellence Award (5 winners): 50,000 yen
・Judges' Award (5 winners each × 3 judges, total 15 winners): 30,000 yen
・Honorable Mention (30 winners): Assortment of Kleenex products
■ Results Announcement:
Winning entries will be announced on August 21, 2026 (Friday) on the "Kleenex Ruisen Tanka" special website (https://kleenex.crecia.jp/cp/ruisentanka/) (scheduled).
Winners will be guided to an information input form for prize money/product receipt via direct message (DM) from the campaign secretariat (scheduled sequentially from August 2026).
■ Judges:
・Hikorohi
Belongs to Shochiku Geino. Debuted as a solo comedian in 2011. Her unique world view and character-driven solo skits are popular, with all her solo performances selling out immediately. She is active in a wide range of fields, including variety show appearances, drama and film roles, writing, and design. Her first collection of short stories, "Mokutte Shabette" (Asahi Shimbun Publications), won the 31st Shimase Love Literature Award.
・Tatsuya Kinoshita
Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1988. Tanka poet. His Tanka collections include "Tsumujikaze, Koko ni Arimasu," "Kimi wo Kirai na Yatsu wa Kuzu da yo," "All Around You," and "Anata no Tame no Tanka Shu." He has also authored numerous other books, including the introductory Tanka book "Tensai ni Yoru Bonjin no Tame no Tanka Kyoshitsu" and a co-authored work with Shuntaro Tanikawa, "Kore yori Saki ni wa Haeremasen." He is a selector for NHK E-tele's "NHK Tanka" in fiscal year 2025.
・Ran Domon
Writer. Born in Hiroshima in 1985, resides in Kyoto. Writes literary works such as novels, Tanka, and essays, as well as interview articles. Her books include "Shinu made Ikiru Nikki," which won the "1st Ikiru Hon Award," as well as "100 Nen Go Anata mo Watashi mo Inai Hi ni" (co-authored with Mayumi Terada), "Keieisha no Kodoku," "Senso to Gonin no Onna," "Somosomo Kokan Nikki" (co-authored with Naoko Sakurabayashi), and "Honto no Koto wo Kaku Renshu: 'Watashi no Kotoba' de Tajya to Tsunagaru Bunshojutsu."
【About the Tanka Boom】
It is said that a Tanka boom has arrived, centered on young people in their 20s. According to Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, in 2026, an era called the "emotion mute society," over 60% (63.8%) of consumers feel that opportunities to openly express their honest emotions and feelings are "decreasing."
"They acquire empathy for others as manners, prioritizing consideration for others over expressing personal emotions. In a life focused on efficiency, they may feel that expressing or feeling emotions is unproductive."