Interview with Mayuzumi Madoka

Abstract

Below is an interview with the Japanese haiku artist Mayuzumi Madoka (Kanagawa, 1962~). Her haiku trajectory goes beyond the usual literary modes as it includes about 2,700 miles on peregrinations made by the author to different locations: Santiago de Compostela, Busan, Seoul and Shikoku.

She considers peregrinations as important moments of life and nature contemplation and perception and also considers it essential to the haiku production. 

Mayuzimi has published several books and got the “Yamamoto Kenkichi Literary Award” for the book "Kyoto no Koi".

In 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic, she created the project "Kyoto x Haiku", aiming the integration of different peoples through the poetic writing. The project still counts with the participation of haiku composers from different countries. 

In 2021, she participated on an online event and spoke about haiku for the Brazilian people. She also got to know many Brazilian haikai written by poets from all over the country.

Mayuzumi Madoka is currently the president of the "World Online Haiku Association".