Tanka (TAH'N-KAH) (Short poem/song) is the only form of Waka (Classical Japanese poetry) still widely used in Japan today. It pre-dates Haiku by over 1,000 years. There are many similarities, but many more differences.
Tanka are 31 syllables in five lines of 5-7-5-7-7. At first glance it might look like a Haiku with two extra lines. It’s not. Tanka tend to be more personal: relationships, new love, old love, etc., without being sappy, melodramatic, or suicidal unless ... More importantly each line should be a complete thought, you should try to avoid line wraps. (Easier said than done.) One more thing, the last two lines are not a continuation of the first three, but they do reinforce them. In the Samurai era it was common to write a Tanka after an event such as meeting a lover, winning a sword fight, or being praised by a superior.
Every January the Japanese Imperial Household Agency sponsors a Tanka reading. The public can submit entries. Ten poems are selected out of some 25,000. It obviously is a great honor. By tradition the Emperor’s poem is “sung” three times, the Empress’ twice, and everyone else once. The event is televised nationally.
The 2009 theme was Sei (Life). The Emperor’s poem was:
(This is the official translation. )
Observing creatures.
How their lives are closely linked.
Are interwoven.
For fifteen years we have lived
Here in the Imperial Palace.
It’s reported that this was written after he and his wife took a walk around the Palace grounds. He saw many wild birds, squirrels, etc., and was struck by how they lived together and interacted. The first three lines address this. The last two lines reflect how he and his wife have lived in the Palace since his father died 15 years ago.
Below is the Japanese version, in roman letters, which I’ve broken into onji (the rough equivalent to syllables. The reading is actually on YOUTUBE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6d0URprH_w&feature=related so you can easily follow it. The Tanka starts soon after everyone, except the Emperor, stands up. It quickly gets boring, but it is interesting to hear it sung.
I-ki mo-no no
O-ri na-shi-te I-ku-ru
Sa-ma mi-tsu tsu
Ko-kyo ni su-mi-i te
Ju-u go ne-n he-nu
The actual reading is done by professionals. This style of reading is usually confined to the Imperial Court. At Haiku/Tanka parties people read somewhat normally until everyone is drunk. Then someone will read in the classic style opening the floodgates. At the local shrine, where there are scores of cherry trees, people hold flower-viewing parties. Under each tree is a different group, it soon sounds like packs of wolves trying to drive one another off. Ah, the rites of spring.
Here’s the deal. Whoever is interested should write a Tanka, and post it on the crit thread. This will be no place for harsh remarks. We’re all learning together.
We’ll start out using this year’s theme, Hikari (Light). I’ll give an example below. Unlike the Haiku threads there will be no, “too slows.” Everyone should write on the same theme for a while. Your Tanka doesn’t have to be about the woods and the like. The Costco parking lot at night can be moving. The distant light of a big city, or fireworks. Annoying neon signs. Anything.
Light
Morning is stirring.
The sun’s eyes slowly open.
Leafless woods waken.
Your face sparkles in the light
Another day to learn you.
The first three lines are about daybreak. The last two are about the sunlight hitting the face of the still-sleeping woman I was with.
Now don’t be shy! Let’s see some Tanka. (Please)
Tanka are 31 syllables in five lines of 5-7-5-7-7. At first glance it might look like a Haiku with two extra lines. It’s not. Tanka tend to be more personal: relationships, new love, old love, etc., without being sappy, melodramatic, or suicidal unless ... More importantly each line should be a complete thought, you should try to avoid line wraps. (Easier said than done.) One more thing, the last two lines are not a continuation of the first three, but they do reinforce them. In the Samurai era it was common to write a Tanka after an event such as meeting a lover, winning a sword fight, or being praised by a superior.
Every January the Japanese Imperial Household Agency sponsors a Tanka reading. The public can submit entries. Ten poems are selected out of some 25,000. It obviously is a great honor. By tradition the Emperor’s poem is “sung” three times, the Empress’ twice, and everyone else once. The event is televised nationally.
The 2009 theme was Sei (Life). The Emperor’s poem was:
(This is the official translation. )
Observing creatures.
How their lives are closely linked.
Are interwoven.
For fifteen years we have lived
Here in the Imperial Palace.
It’s reported that this was written after he and his wife took a walk around the Palace grounds. He saw many wild birds, squirrels, etc., and was struck by how they lived together and interacted. The first three lines address this. The last two lines reflect how he and his wife have lived in the Palace since his father died 15 years ago.
Below is the Japanese version, in roman letters, which I’ve broken into onji (the rough equivalent to syllables. The reading is actually on YOUTUBE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6d0URprH_w&feature=related so you can easily follow it. The Tanka starts soon after everyone, except the Emperor, stands up. It quickly gets boring, but it is interesting to hear it sung.
I-ki mo-no no
O-ri na-shi-te I-ku-ru
Sa-ma mi-tsu tsu
Ko-kyo ni su-mi-i te
Ju-u go ne-n he-nu
The actual reading is done by professionals. This style of reading is usually confined to the Imperial Court. At Haiku/Tanka parties people read somewhat normally until everyone is drunk. Then someone will read in the classic style opening the floodgates. At the local shrine, where there are scores of cherry trees, people hold flower-viewing parties. Under each tree is a different group, it soon sounds like packs of wolves trying to drive one another off. Ah, the rites of spring.
Here’s the deal. Whoever is interested should write a Tanka, and post it on the crit thread. This will be no place for harsh remarks. We’re all learning together.
We’ll start out using this year’s theme, Hikari (Light). I’ll give an example below. Unlike the Haiku threads there will be no, “too slows.” Everyone should write on the same theme for a while. Your Tanka doesn’t have to be about the woods and the like. The Costco parking lot at night can be moving. The distant light of a big city, or fireworks. Annoying neon signs. Anything.
Light
Morning is stirring.
The sun’s eyes slowly open.
Leafless woods waken.
Your face sparkles in the light
Another day to learn you.
The first three lines are about daybreak. The last two are about the sunlight hitting the face of the still-sleeping woman I was with.
Now don’t be shy! Let’s see some Tanka. (Please)
Last edited:
