I have been asked by Martin Lucas to help
publicise the 1998 James Hackett Award

He sent me a leaflet which I've scanned and
OCR'd. Some of the leaflet was set in rather
small type and so despite some proof-reading
I cannot guarantee that this is a completely
accurate transcript.

Anyhow - here is the info - if you want it.

sincerely
Gerald England

Gerald England's Home page - http://www.nhi.clara.net/gehome.htm
New Hope International - http://www.nhi.clara.net/nhihome.htm
Christine's page - http://members.tripod.com/~lacemaker/index.htm
NHI Review - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/1735
Cyberscribers - http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/7573

THE BRITISH HAIKU SOCIETY


Founded 1990    Registered Charity No. 1002064

The BHS James W Hackett International Haiku Award 1998
(established 1990)

1    Entries should have the essential characteristics of haiku, with
regard to both spirit
and form, which are now commonly accepted in the English-speaking world.
The
winning poem will recreate haiku experience (a "haiku moment") in a verse
which
approximates to traditional haiku form (though it is recognised that the
best foam for
some haiku is not a strict count of 5-7-5 syllables). *

2   ADJUDICATION: The donor of the award, James W Hackett, will himself
choose the
winner(s) (and possibly, commended poems) from an anonymous shortlist
presented to
him by a BUS sub-Committee (all Committee members are debarred from
entering).

3    Entries must be original, in English, unpublished, and not currently
under
consideration for publication or entered in any other competition. (BHS
members
please note this restriction includes prior publication in Blithe Spirit).

4   AWARD: One prize of œ70, up to two further prizes of œ70 each,
publication of the
winning (and, probably, commended) haiku in vol. 9 no. 1 or no. 2 of Blithe
Spirit.
With the latter exception(s), copyright is retained by the competitor's).

5  DEADLINE: In-hand by 30 November, 1998.

6   ENTRY PROCEDURE: Up to five haiku per entrant (each poem on three
separate
5x3 in. (125x75 mm) sheets, one only with name and address on the back) to:
Hackett Award, ;14 Beech Ave., Galgate, Lancaster LA2 ONW, England,
accompanied
by the flat entry fee of œ2.50 or US$4.00. Please note that entries cannot
be returned.

(We regret that, due to high currency and clearance charges, payment can
only be
accepted in Sterling by cheque drawn on a UK bank branch or by British
Postal Orders
or by International Money Order, or in Sterling/US cash. Cheques etc. to be
made
payable to The British Haiku Society, not to Hackett Award, please).

7   For notification of winner(s), enclose a self-addressed envelope with
appropriate UK
stamp or one IRC or US$1.00 cash (so a US$5 bill will cover entry fee and
notification).

8   BHS and James W Hackett reserve the right not to make an award if there
is no haiku
entry of sufficient merit.

9   BHS and James W Hackett regret that they cannot enter into
correspondence about their
Hackett Award decisions.

* In previous years it has been our sad experience to receive a large
number of entries  which, in our opinion,
bear no resemblance to true haiku. This is understandable, when so much
mis1eeading information about
the genre is  being circulated. It is therefore essential that intending
entrants read and endeavour to
thoroughly absorb the 'Guidelines' prepared by James W Hackett and endorsed
by the Society and which
are printed on the reverie of this leaflet.


Guidelines for the BHS James W Hackett International Haiku Award

This award is for the haiku that best expresses a 'haiku moment' within the
traditional form
of a 'haiku poem'. For this competition, writers should consider the
following:

The Haiku Moment provides the basis for a haiku poem;

In this moment the poet has a close, contemplative awareness of natural
subjects
(including so-called lower forms of life') and carefully observes a
particular
event in nature.

It is a moment of emotion suggesting some kind of union or bond between
humanity and the rest of nature. The feeling may be wonder, surprise,
humour,
tranquillity, solitariness, and so on. Writers might take special notice of
their
compassion for, or sense of identity with, natural subjects.

Consider, "Is this 'haiku moment' worth sharing?" Or will others respond
"So
what?"

The Haiku poem is a literary expression of the 'haiku moment'. For the
purposes of this
Award:

It is a three-line form ideally composed in 17 syllables (5-7-5), with only
moderate variations.

Everyday language and natural English syntax should be preferred. And the
use
of adjectives is sparing and very selective.

The poet uses present tense, as if the event is just happening, to give a
sense of
immediacy and directness.

The first person is generally avoided, allowing readers to recreate the
experience
for themselves.

Words suggesting the season, location, or time of day can be included to
frame
and enhance the 'haiku moment'.

In aesthetics and spirit, haiku is unique: it is a form of nature poetry
that is true to
life and depicts things just as they are. In line with the foregoing, the
writer
avoids such devices as simile, metaphor or personification. Neither is the
haiku
poet moralistic or judgemental.

Recommended reading:

BHS, 'Towards a Consensus on the Nature of Haiku'. (Four pages of
suggestions for writing
haiku - issued free to BHS members, sae plus 2nd class stamp (or two IRCs)
to others)

R H Blyth, 'Haiku, Volume 1: Eastern Culture', (the spiritual basis of
haiku - published by
The Hokuseido Press, Tokyo, 1949, 1981)

Jarnes W Hackett




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