Japanese Poetry

Japanese poetry had its early beginnings in the style known as tanka, or "short form". This poetry (31 syllables, arranged 5-7-5-7-7) was an early form native to Japan. Up until the 16th century, nearly all poetry was composed in this form. The development from tanka to haiku, or "opening phrase", is bridged by another style, the renga, or "linked poem" (31 syllables, 5-7-5 three lines, 7-7 two lines). Two or more poets usually composed the renga. First a poet would compose the opening, followed by a second poet who would close the poem. Over time it became popular for poets to write only the first part. This eventually developed into haiku. Haiku poetry depicts a single image, is almost always naturous in theme, and usually contains 17 syllables (5-7-5).The only formal rule is the fixed number of syllables, and even this is sometimes violated.



Poetry Styles



Tanka a form of poetry also known as short form. One verse of 31 syllables in 5 lines arranged 5-7-5-7-7. This is a style uniquely Japanese and was to remain the most popular until the 16th century.



Choka a form of poetry related to the tanka, otherwise known as long form. It also has 5-7 lines but is indefinate in length. It was usually reserved for elegies.



Renga also called the linked poem. Toward the end of the end of the Heian period (794-1185) it was becoming increasing popular for poets to divide a single tanka poem into two parts. Both parts related to a single image or theme. When two poets composed a single tanka this became known as the renga.



Kanshi a classical chinese poem that never really took off in japan but was present.



Haiku a style of poetry made famous by Basho. It is basically the second half of a renga.