[NHK Culture] Popular Tanka Poetry Class by Poet Daishi Okano Coming to Tokyo and Nagoya for One Day Only!
The popular tanka poetry class by poet Daishi Okano will be held for one day only on August 1, 2026, at the Aoyama Classroom in Tokyo, and on September 13, 2026, at the Nagoya Classroom. It offers an opportunity for both beginners and experienced tanka poets to engage with their own words and enhance their expression.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 13, 2026 at 01:18
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 16:36
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:51 (15 min after Collected)
Aoyama Classroom Held - Details Here
Nagoya Classroom Held - Details Here
For those encountering tanka for the first time, and for those seeking to further refine their expression—
We invite you to experience a time to reconnect with your own words.
Daishi Okano, a poet who has gained many readers with his numerous poetry collections and served as a selector for the 2023 "NHK Tanka" program, leads a popular workshop at NHK Culture Center Umeda Classroom in Osaka. His classes are known for their attentive and warm approach, which is not one-sided.
Due to numerous requests for events in other regions, this popular class will be held for one day only at NHK Culture Center Aoyama Classroom in Tokyo (Minato-ku) and NHK Culture Center Nagoya Classroom in Aichi Prefecture (Higashi-ku).
When explanatory words transform into poetic words.
What separates the two is whether you have your own "lived experience."
Are the things you saw and felt truly filtered through your own eyes and heart? Or are you merely tracing existing ways of seeing and feeling?
Ask yourself this and verify.
The lived experience derived may differ slightly from objective facts.
However, it is a certain truth for you.
Search for words as if giving shape to that hard-to-articulate lived experience, and polish everyday murmurs into "poetic language."
This class aims to strengthen the foundation for doing so.
For those who already write tanka, it cultivates a foundation to utilize their acquired skills. For those who have enjoyed tanka primarily through appreciation, it offers a way to more deeply savor the moment when words become poetry.
Through pre-assigned tasks and detailed post-course feedback, the structure ensures a tangible sense of accomplishment even in a one-off workshop.
All questions submitted by participants in advance will be answered on the day of the class, allowing for a comfortable participation while resolving doubts and anxieties.
●Instructor's Recommended Points!
Okay for beginners and those who only read tanka!
Since you will create tanka based on pre-assigned tasks, even those who have "never written tanka before" can participate with peace of mind. Materials summarizing basic knowledge will also be distributed.
There will also be time to appreciate good tanka, so those who "only read tanka" can enjoy it. Listening to the lecture will surely make you want to try writing tanka yourself. (Participation is possible even without submitting pre-assigned tasks.)
Excellent After-Follow-up!
Within a few days after the event, you will receive a "drill" assignment. These are multiple-choice questions that can be easily completed via Google Forms.
Furthermore, all participants who submit their assignments will receive feedback. This feedback will summarize "what you want to cherish" as your unique individuality and "what to consider" for revision. (Feedback may take approximately one month.)
●Instructor Profile
Daishi Okano (Okano Daiji)
Began writing tanka at age 31. Author of "Siren to Sai," "Tayasu Nasai," "Ongaku," "Ureshii Kinkyo," and many others. New releases include "Yoru na no ni Yoru Mitai" and "Anniversary Anniversary." Selector for NHK E Tele's "NHK Tanka" program in 2023.
Tanka x Prose Collection "Yoru na no ni Yoru Mitai" (Shueisha)
Tanka x Illustration Collection "Anniversary Anniversary" (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
Daishi Okano's Tanka Workshop "When Words Become Poetry" - One-Day Intensive Special Lecture -
Instructor: Poet, 2023 "NHK Tanka" Selector Daishi Okano
Format: Classroom Attendance
Date and Time:
Aoyama Classroom: August 1, 2026 (Saturday) 15:30–18:50 (includes a 20-minute break)
Nagoya Classroom: September 13, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00–13:50 (includes a 50-minute lunch break)
Tuition Fees:
Aoyama Classroom: Members ¥11,440 (tax included) / General (no membership required) ¥12,584 (tax included)
Nagoya Classroom: Members ¥11,440 (tax included) / General (no membership required) ¥12,584 (tax included)
Details URL:
Aoyama Classroom: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1334587.html
Nagoya Classroom: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1335188.html
Organizers: NHK Culture Center Aoyama Classroom, NHK Culture Center Nagoya Classroom
Nagoya Classroom Held - Details Here
For those encountering tanka for the first time, and for those seeking to further refine their expression—
We invite you to experience a time to reconnect with your own words.
Daishi Okano, a poet who has gained many readers with his numerous poetry collections and served as a selector for the 2023 "NHK Tanka" program, leads a popular workshop at NHK Culture Center Umeda Classroom in Osaka. His classes are known for their attentive and warm approach, which is not one-sided.
Due to numerous requests for events in other regions, this popular class will be held for one day only at NHK Culture Center Aoyama Classroom in Tokyo (Minato-ku) and NHK Culture Center Nagoya Classroom in Aichi Prefecture (Higashi-ku).
When explanatory words transform into poetic words.
What separates the two is whether you have your own "lived experience."
Are the things you saw and felt truly filtered through your own eyes and heart? Or are you merely tracing existing ways of seeing and feeling?
Ask yourself this and verify.
The lived experience derived may differ slightly from objective facts.
However, it is a certain truth for you.
Search for words as if giving shape to that hard-to-articulate lived experience, and polish everyday murmurs into "poetic language."
This class aims to strengthen the foundation for doing so.
For those who already write tanka, it cultivates a foundation to utilize their acquired skills. For those who have enjoyed tanka primarily through appreciation, it offers a way to more deeply savor the moment when words become poetry.
Through pre-assigned tasks and detailed post-course feedback, the structure ensures a tangible sense of accomplishment even in a one-off workshop.
All questions submitted by participants in advance will be answered on the day of the class, allowing for a comfortable participation while resolving doubts and anxieties.
●Instructor's Recommended Points!
Okay for beginners and those who only read tanka!
Since you will create tanka based on pre-assigned tasks, even those who have "never written tanka before" can participate with peace of mind. Materials summarizing basic knowledge will also be distributed.
There will also be time to appreciate good tanka, so those who "only read tanka" can enjoy it. Listening to the lecture will surely make you want to try writing tanka yourself. (Participation is possible even without submitting pre-assigned tasks.)
Excellent After-Follow-up!
Within a few days after the event, you will receive a "drill" assignment. These are multiple-choice questions that can be easily completed via Google Forms.
Furthermore, all participants who submit their assignments will receive feedback. This feedback will summarize "what you want to cherish" as your unique individuality and "what to consider" for revision. (Feedback may take approximately one month.)
●Instructor Profile
Daishi Okano (Okano Daiji)
Began writing tanka at age 31. Author of "Siren to Sai," "Tayasu Nasai," "Ongaku," "Ureshii Kinkyo," and many others. New releases include "Yoru na no ni Yoru Mitai" and "Anniversary Anniversary." Selector for NHK E Tele's "NHK Tanka" program in 2023.
Tanka x Prose Collection "Yoru na no ni Yoru Mitai" (Shueisha)
Tanka x Illustration Collection "Anniversary Anniversary" (Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
Daishi Okano's Tanka Workshop "When Words Become Poetry" - One-Day Intensive Special Lecture -
Instructor: Poet, 2023 "NHK Tanka" Selector Daishi Okano
Format: Classroom Attendance
Date and Time:
Aoyama Classroom: August 1, 2026 (Saturday) 15:30–18:50 (includes a 20-minute break)
Nagoya Classroom: September 13, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00–13:50 (includes a 50-minute lunch break)
Tuition Fees:
Aoyama Classroom: Members ¥11,440 (tax included) / General (no membership required) ¥12,584 (tax included)
Nagoya Classroom: Members ¥11,440 (tax included) / General (no membership required) ¥12,584 (tax included)
Details URL:
Aoyama Classroom: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1334587.html
Nagoya Classroom: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1335188.html
Organizers: NHK Culture Center Aoyama Classroom, NHK Culture Center Nagoya Classroom
FAQ
What level of participants is Daishi Okano's tanka workshop intended for?
It is broadly targeted at everyone from those encountering tanka for the first time to those who already write tanka and wish to enhance their expression. It is designed for beginners to participate with confidence.
What specific things will be learned in the workshop?
Participants will learn the fundamentals of articulating their own "lived experiences" into words and polishing them into "poetic language." The ability to express what one sees and feels in one's own words will be cultivated.
What are the benefits of attending the workshop?
It is a valuable opportunity to receive direct instruction from a renowned poet. Furthermore, through pre-assigned tasks and detailed feedback, participants can gain a solid sense of accomplishment in their creative process in a short time.
Will the content differ between the Tokyo and Nagoya workshops?
The basic content will be the same, but the dates, times, and break durations will differ. Please check the respective classroom URLs for detailed schedules.
What is the application method and deadline for the workshop?
Please check the detailed URLs (pages for each classroom) in the article for application methods and deadlines. Registration may close once capacity is reached.