English Homepage
TankaNetz is a German site dedicated to tanka and tanka prose. Apart from a selection of my work and glimpses at international tanka poetry, it provides background information and tutorials. Visitors who are not familiar with the German language are welcome to read the English versions of my tanka and tanka prose.
today
the wind with this flavor
of the sea
of the dunes
of 'he thinks of me'
Ingrid Kunschke, WHR 2009
April 15, 2010
In "Foetal Curl" I present lively images and apply painting techniques to convey moods and feelings. More »
Koyama Press has published Poem Tales, edited by Giselle Maya. The collection consists of haibun and tanka prose by Jim Kacian, Giselle Maya, Patricia Prime, Jeffrey Woodward and me (five works each). Isabelle Baticle contributed five calligraphies.
January 31, 2010
To celebrate its 5th anniversary, TankaNetz is presented in a new design. You will also find new tanka and more tanka prose.
Five Years of TankaNetz
When I launched TankaNetz five years ago, German tanka did not attract much attention. As for tanka prose, it was considered to be some sort of haibun, and consequently thought to be lacking in haiku-mindedness. Trailing far behind the fast developing international tanka community, the German scene had shrunk into itself. It needed a wind of change, inspiration and background knowledge presented in an intelligible manner.
So I set out to write some articles on tanka history and theory, and showed, in book reviews, what is appreciated in tanka nowadays. In my own work, I tried to show what contemporary German tanka might look like. Eventually I was invited to submit work to international journals: a wonderful chance to call attention to German tanka and join the tanka prose community that was establishing itself world wide with so much enthusiasm.
Though the German tanka scene still counts but very few poets, interest in tanka poetry has increased over the last years. Of course TankaNetz does not deserve all credit for this: especially after Yukitsuna Sasaki visited the country on his lecture tour in spring 2009, I received letters from readers who were getting into the genre.
That is why I started a tutorial, which will be continued this year. To further encourage German tanka poetry, I originated a monthly tanka group in September 2009. I am confident that its members will contribute to the genre's development before long.
Five years of TankaNetz, that also stands for a lively exchange with tanka friends, encouragement from committed overseas poets as well as increasing cooperation across the country. Looking forward to the next five years and to a revival of German tanka poetry, I give thanks and send you my best wishes. Fondly, Ingrid
Last update 31.01.2010