Shining a poetic light on daily life in two urban centres, Glasgow–Tokyo Line links Scottish and Japanese cultures, landscapes and orthographies in unexpected ways. Its co-authors, James McGonigal and John Pazdziora, interweave tradition and modernity, finding new perspectives on the ancient practice of renga through the 100-stanza hyakuin form. Here is mark-making of all kinds, from tracks in snow to email musing and immediacy. The languages of their domestic lives (American and Scottish English, Japanese and traditional Scots) carry the conversation forward with naturalness and verve.

A delightful collaboration between two fine poets, one Scottish, one American and living in Japan, sharing a deep love of haiku. Unfolding like an easy conversation between friends, the sequence flows back and forth, from Glasgow to Tokyo (and back), catching moments of insight, reflection, humour. They give new life to the ancient practice of renga, linked verse, embracing the further discipline of hyakuin, making a hundred poems. Technically adept, they display a richness of language and register, in English, Japanese and Scots. A fascinating and enjoyable piece of work (and play!) – Alan Spence, Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing at Aberdeen University, and author of The Pure Land (2006), Night Boat (2013), and Mr Timeless Blyth (2023)

Unobtrusively observing the core conventions of renga while freely following the ‘scent’ from link to link, Glasgow-Tokyo Line draws the reader into its companionable conversation with refreshing naturalness and verve: ‘Window boxes sprout / green peppers in summer grass. / I didna plant that.’ Full of particulars made – often playfully – poignant in the resonant space of haiku, the varied cultural and linguistic dimensions of the text (lucidly glossed in the Notes) make this book innovative yet accessible in ways that should appeal to aficionados and a wider audience alike. Indeed, ‘Plump berries wait: wild, sweet.’ – Philip Rowland, Editor, NOON: journal of the short poem

Click here to read a sample from this book.

December 2025. 64 pages. 8.5 x 5.5 in/140 x 216 mm. ISBN 978-4-907359-54-6 (paperback).

Click here to buy from Amazon in the US; click here to buy from Amazon in the UK; click here to buy from Amazon in Japan.