Michael BoianoAn Italian-American from New York who currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand, Michael Boiano worked as a clinical psychotherapist at several American universities before moving to Asia to pursue a second career in teaching. In Japan, he lived in Sendaiand travelled extensively in Japan and felt an affinity with Japanese culture, aesthetics, and Tanka poetry. James Kirkup, who was a well known poet and teacher in Japan encouraged Michael's poetry and wrote an introduction to Michael's first poetry book (Gajin Diary, 2018). Michael became a regular contributor to The Tanka Journal in Tokyo and has won awards for his poetry. Currently, he teaches - he introduces Tanka poetry to his students - and, like many of the Japanese poets he most admired, he lives a life of simplicity and contemplation. Read More Read Less