Introduction

 The World Haiku Series began in 2019, when 330 years passed since Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) visited Kisakata on the evening of August 1, 1689. Now, the statue of Bashō is erected with the statue of Seishi in the garden of Kammanji Temple in Kisakata, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. If Bashō were to be there, the greatest master of haiku would be greatly surprised to find that haiku is loved all over the world. 　In 2019, feeling most grateful to haiku friends in the world for having sent their haiku to the Japan-Russia Haiku Contest from 2012 through 2018, the Akita International Haiku Network started a new project “World Haiku Series 2019”, celebrating the 330th anniversary of Bashō’s visit to Kisakata. As a result, 212 haiku friends willingly sent 2,120 haiku to this series from 43 countries. They also kindly and delightedly sent their photos, photo haiku, or haiga to…