Tokyo Poetry Recitations

Welcome to Tokyo Poetry Recitations! We're a group that seeks to gain insight into our favorite poems by reciting and discussing them with fellow lovers of poetry.

This is not a group for sharing original poetry, though of course many participants may be interested in exchanging verses in private. The main purpose of this meetup is to better understand and appreciate existing verse, and to meet like-minded individuals with whom to discuss a love of Poetry specifically, and more generally, of Art.

We will also provide concrete, tangible, and actionable information and methods for deepening your understanding of poetry and for simply enjoying the pastime of reciting verse. No fluff here.

Everyone is welcome to join, regardless of familiarity -- anyone from total beginners to veteran academics are encouraged to come. Join us every other Thursday, at 7:30 PM, at Good Heavens Bar, and enjoy great lines and great libations. Come, kick back, and meet new people while learning ever more about poetry. You won't regret it.

See our F.A.Q. below for more information.

[Format and Logistics]

Q. When and how often are these meetings?
Currently, every two weeks, on Thursday nights at Good Heavens Bar, near Shimokitazawa Station, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM (though you are welcome to stay afterwards). We can do this more or less frequently depending on how things evolve and what you want to do.

The exact address is 5 Chome-32-5 Daizawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo. About a five minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station, on the Odakyu and Keio Inokashira lines.

Q. What will we do once at the event?
Each meetup has a "setlist" of poems, which are recited to the group by those who suggested them. Although the poems themselves are the core of the event, the large majority of our time will actually be spent discussing them; asking and answering questions about the works, their authors, and their styles; and helping each other better understand what they have to offer us.

Oh, and drinks. Good ones.

Q. Do I really need to read all these poems before coming?
While we would encourage you to take a look at some of the works on the setlist before the event if you can find the time, it is absolutely not required nor expected. The more you've read (or recited!), the more you will likely get out of our discussions, but don't overexert yourself preparing -- this is meant to be open, casual, and inclusive for beginners. We will discuss and analyze the works in person from scratch regardless.

Q. Do I need to bring my own copies of the poems?
You don't need to bring anything but yourself -- we will provide written copies of each work at the event.

Q. Does this cost anything?

All our events are completely free. We are not selling any product or service. However, if you can help us pay for our reservation (we are unaffiliated with our host Good Heavens) by enjoying some great food or indulging in a couple rounds -- great! With how good the food and drinks are, trust us -- you'll want to.

Ideally, this would be at least one drink per hour per member (500¥ ~) as per our reservation.

Q. Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! The more, the merrier. All we ask is that you include your friends on the RSVP so we can bring the appropriate number of setlists to the group.

[The Poems]

Q. Can I share my own poems?
While we encourage our poet members to exchange their work with each other in private (there will be opportunity for mingling at the end of the event), the main purpose of this group is to study and enjoy those verses that history has to offer us. There are already many groups out there dedicated to sharing and critiquing original work, and almost none dedicated to enjoying and learning from the great poems of our language. We'd like to change that.

Q. Can you recite X poem? Why isn't Y's work on your list?
Attempts are always made to include poems from as many eras and movements as feasible, though including all possible styles in any given setlist is impossible. For the sake of time and completeness, we tend to avoid including longer works, but the setlist is made through feedback from and consultation with the group after every event. If there's a metrical poem or poet you would like to include, we can absolutely include it/them in future meetings.

Q. What poems will be recited at the meetup?
Those listed at the upcoming event page. If it reads "Recitation TBD", we have yet to determine the setlist for it and are likely still taking requests if you have a poem in mind!

Q. Where can I find copies of those poems?
Digital copies are available at the event page, and hard copies will be passed out at the event itself.

Q. What even is Poetry, anyway?

A: Join us and find out!

This is the kind of thing that must be experienced to be fully understood, but an analogy might help in giving a brief answer here.

Imagine you're at a concert. You don't need any special knowledge to enjoy a symphony and get swept up in the music, yes? But if you're handed only the sheet music and asked to appreciate it, you would most likely be lost.

The same principle applies to Poetry: the spoken recitation is the Poem (the Music), and the written text is only the blueprint (the sheet music, as it were). But this is much more than simply "reading" the poem out loud -- there is a special type of cadence and performance to recitation that has been mostly forgotten. We hope to bring that back, and help people enjoy their favorite poems on an ever deeper level.

We know that canonical Poetry can often seem cryptic or inaccessible, but our mission and purpose is to convince you that this is not at all the case. Poetry is a rhythmic art -- it's meant to be enjoyed, not solved. It's an experience, not a puzzle or a riddle.

[Thank You]

This is a new group, and we will doubtless find opportunity to improve the format, frequency, and content of our meetings. For now, all you have to worry about is coming in and having a good time.