Japanese invite Lincoln poet to Tokyo
 

[November 17, 2015]   LINCOLN - It isn't the first, or even second time that Lincoln dentist Lee Gurga has been called to Tokyo. This weekend at the behest of the Japanese government, all expenses paid, Dr. Gurga is traveling to share at a symposium, “Japanese Literature: Crossing the Border—Reading and Composing Haiku in non- Japanese Language.”

Recognized for nearly 20 years as a leading American writer of haiku, Dr. Gurga has the distinction as an award winning American to often be called to share his poetry experiences in the land of haiku' origin, Japan.

Dr. Gurga's assignment for this conference is to speak on “the present situation of non-Japanese haiku, from the viewpoint of a non-Japanese Haiku poet.”

He was to meet and speak with organizers and attend a special a reception on Friday, and then speak during the symposium today, Saturday, November 14, and on Sunday.

Living life-long in Illinois, Dr. Gurga with wife Jan raised their family of three boys in rural Lincoln.

His interest in haiku began in high school and continued throughout is life. His study of the artform deepened as he practiced translation of haiku from Japanese to English.

Later in life he began broadening his relationships with others interested in the practice of English-language haiku. He has been a member of numerous haiku associations, and helped to form and promote international relationships exploring the art form. As an award winning poet he has served as editor for journals. He has published several books that are compilations of his poems, many of which were inspired while living outside Lincoln.

In his book "Haiku: A Poet's Guide" Gurga talks about how the best haiku includes elements of nature and the passage of time. Haiku is "A poetry with a single aim of making us aware of life's simple gifts and everyday joys."

Haiku poetry's spare style lends clarity that sparks the senses. It often follows a visual pattern such as the three lines with a total 17 syllables formatted as 5 syllables - 7 syllables - 5 syllables.

Often Dr. Gurga's poetry reflects life in the heartland. One of his more than a dozen award winning poems, "rows of corn," won grand prize in 1996 at the Kusamakura International Haiku Contest:

rows of corn
stretch to the horizon-
sun on the thunderhead

Dr. Gurga will be in Tachikawa, the west part of Tokyo from November, 13 through 15th for the Symposium “Japanese Literature: Crossing the Border—Reading and Composing Haiku in non- Japanese Language” sponsored by the National Institute of Japanese Literature: Crossing the Border—Reading and Composing Haiku in non- Japanese Language.”

[Jan Youngquist]