Japanese Poetry

UNBC student recognized for her Japanese poem

Feb 14, 2020 | 11:58 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — A major honour for a global and international studies major at UNBC.

Briana Greer has written a Japanese poem that’s been selected for publication in the Shortest Letter in Japan contest.

What’s even more impressive is that out of more than 32,000 entries submitted, she was the only non-Japanese entrant to be selected.

To qualify, she had to write a letter or a poem on the theme of seasons, and was limited to just 40 Japanese characters.

Greer is just the second UNBC student to have a poem selected for publication.

She’s received an invitation to attend an award ceremony in Japan this April, and if she can raise enough money, she hopes to be there.

“So my poem was actually about a cold night, cuddled up to the fire, just wishing that my sweetheart was with me. It was inspired by my boyfriend because we’re a long distance apart. I live here in Prince George to do my schooling.”

Greer says she’s always been interested in learning more about different cultures and credits her teacher, Ami Hagiwara, for her guidance.

“I’d like to thank my teacher, Ami sensei, for helping us. I’ve taken five classes with her and she has really helped us to be able to speak and write in the language.”

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