Mariko Kitakubo (Japanese: 北久保まりこ, born October 4, 1959, Hiroo, Tokyo, Japan), self-employed, business owner; tanka poet, and performer. Member of five Japan-based tanka organizations and one in the U.S.A. Has performed dynamic tanka readings on more than 218 occasions in 55 cities on 5 continents. Published 6 tanka collections, 3 of them bilingual. In 2020 Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji developed the tan-ku; after Kolodji’s death in 2024 Kitokibo founded the Tan-Ku Association; and became its president. Two of their tan-ku collaborations have been published. Kitakubo resides in Mitaka, Tokyo.