Jun Fujita, Tanka Pioneer Published by Modern English Tanka Press

Jun Fujita, arguably the first master of writing tanka poetry in English, published one collection, Tanka: Poems in Exile, in 1923 which has become a rare book. With the tremendous interest in tanka in English in this new century, Modern English Tanka Press has published Jun Fujita, Tanka Pioneer to conserve Fujita’s poetry and make it accessible to the reading public.

Baltimore, Maryland – November 11, 2007 – Jun Fujita (1888-1963) is perhaps the first master of tanka poetry in English. He certainly was a master of the rhetoric of omission or, as he put it, “that fine and illusive mood, big enough to illuminate the infinity of the universe,” which is a defining characteristic of tanka, specifically, and of Japanese poetry, in general. His work is an important and foundational aspect of the English tanka heritage. Modern English Tanka Press takes great pleasure is making this fine poet’s work once again accessible to the reading public. Edited by Denis M. Garrison. Includes an Introduction by M. Kei.

Edited by Denis M. Garrison.

About Editor:

Denis M. Garrison, the well-known editor of Haiku Harvest, is now the editor and publisher of Modern English Tanka. He lives near Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay with his wife, Deborah. A 1974 Towson graduate in English literature, he edited Towson’s literary magazine and taught creative writing for Johns Hopkins University’s Free University. His poetry is published in Poetry Scotland, Nightingale, Verse Libre Quarterly, Simply Haiku, Ribbons, Lynx, Nisqually Delta Review, Moonset, Wisteria, Roadrunner, Stirring, World Haiku Review, Haiga Online, Paper Wasp, Short Stuff, Full Moon, Clouds Peak, and others, in his chapbook, Port of Call and Other Poems, and in his books, Eight Shades of Blue (haiku) and The Brink at Logan Pond. He has edited the webzines, Haiku Harvest (2000-2006; digital & print), Ku Nouveau, Haiku Noir, Templar Phoenix, Haiku Cycles, and Gunpowder River Poetry. Garrison’s poetry is published in several anthologies, including: May Dazed, Poets Gone Wild, Fire Pearls, and The Five-Hole Flute. In 2002, he was a founding editor of Amaze: The Cinquain Journal. In 2005, Garrison was a founding editor of Loch Raven Review. In 2006, he was the haiku editor of Simply Haiku. He has led several online haiku poetry elists including two named Haiku Unchained. Email : dmg (at) tankapress (dot) come. Website: www.FlyingFishes.net

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview with the author, contact: Denis M. Garrison by e-mail at dmg (at) tankapress (dot) com. Publisher information at: www.modernenglishtankapress.com.

This book is available from www.Lulu.com/modernenglishtanka and from major booksellers; or by order from the publisher. Complete information and mail order form are available online at www.modernenglishtankapress.com. Price: $18.95 USD. ISBN 978-0-6151-7682-6. Trade paperback. 96 pages, 6.00" x 9.00", perfect binding, 60# cream interior paper, black and white interior ink, 100# exterior paper, full-color exterior ink.

About Modern English Tanka Press:

Modern English Tanka Press is an independent equity publishing house in Baltimore, Maryland, dedicated to producing books and periodicals of lasting literary value. Our publications are produced using modern print-on-demand production and distribution methods. We publish the journals “Modern English Tanka” and “Atlas Poetica” and books of tanka, haiku, and other fine verse. We operate www.TankaCentral.com with its popular “Tanka News” blog, and the poetry web hub, www.ShortVerse.com.

Contact:

Denis M. Garrison, owner
Modern English Tanka Press
443-802-1249
Email to dmg (at) tankapress (dot) com.
www.modernenglishtankapress.com www.modernenglishtanka.com www.atlaspoetica.com
www.shortverse.com www.tankacentral.com www.tankanews.com

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