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Japanese Poetry - Tanka
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Did you ever write a thank you note after a date? Well, thirteen hundred years ago in
Japan, that was the custom! Tanka,
a popular form of Japanese poetry, originated as a way to send secret
messages between lovers.
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After
a nice evening out, a polite person would compose a five line
poem to express his or her feelings. These notes were delivered
by messenger and were often written on fans or tied to the branch
of a flower. A Tanka then had to be written in reply and the
quality of it would determine whether or not the couple would see
each other again.
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| Wow!
Talk about pressure! How would you respond to something like this?
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Yamazato wa
Yuki furitsumite
Michi mo nashi
Kyokomu hito wo
Aware to wa mimu
By TAIRA NO KANEMORI
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| Translation: |
In the mountain village
The snow falls ceaselessly.
The paths are obliterated.
He would be truly devoted
Who visited me today.
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In Japanese, Tankas are made up of 31 total syllables which are broken down into a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.
In English, Tankas do not always follow this syllable count. Tankas
are made up of 31 total syllables which are broken down into a 5-7-5-7-7
pattern. Tankas don't have to be written for someone you love, but
they should focus on something you are passionate about- nature, an
activity, a friend, a place, etc. |
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| Go
ahead, give it a try ... |
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| If
you come up with one you'd like to share, submit it to us and we will
post it on our web site. |
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| What's
next?
Click here to read some traditional Tankas written by girls from around the country!
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| What's
next?
Go back to the map and try another
region. |
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