ISLAMABAD: Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata hosted an award ceremony at his residence to confer the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Pakistan Haiku Society (PHS) for their contribution to promoting Japanese culture and literature in Pakistan.

The award is in recognition of the significant contribution of the society in promoting Japanese Haiku poetry in the Urdu language.

On behalf of Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida, the ambassador conferred the commendation on Mr Naseem-e-Sehr, the President of Pakistan Haiku Society.

The foreign minister’s commendations are awarded on individuals and groups who have made outstanding achievements in international fields and to acknowledge their contributions towards promoting friendship between Japan and other countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata said: “Since the conclusion of the Cultural Agreement between Japan and Pakistan in 1957, the understanding of both the cultures has deepened through various cultural activities like demonstrations, performances, exhibitions and [foreign exchanges]. As is often said, art and literature can help us understand and relate to another culture.”

The envoy said he was pleased when he came to know that Pakistani Haiku poets have published books on the subject and that some are also studying its history.

Naseem-e-Sehr said: “Considering the humble contributions the society has made, I can say this gesture from the Japanese government will rejuvenate and energise the society.”

He said the society had been established in 1994 in Rawalpindi and has been trying to promote haiku poetry in Urdu by arranging recitals in different cities. Last year, he said, PHS organised Haiku writing workshops where those learning Japanese were taught the principles of Haiku writing.

He then read out his own Haiku poetry: Phool to khilte hain, Milti nahin sarhad to kya, Dil to milte hai.

(Flowers bloom, what if the borders do not meet, the hearts still meet)

A member of the society, Amin Kunjahi, explained Haiku: “The poems have three lines, 17 syllables and in that limited space you have to write something that will leave an impact. The beauty of Haiku is that you can encase immense concepts in such a tiny poem. In many ways, Haiku is much like shorthand, which typists use to record massive amounts of texts.”

A columnist and poet, Aisha Malik, said societies like the PHS are becoming increasingly important.

“We cannot change foreign policies but we can improve cultural interaction between our communities,” she said.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2015