Japanese+Poetry

Japanese Poetry (Alessandro-アレッサンドロ, Ally-アリ） 日本の詩

The Start of Japanese Poetry In the 8th century Japan didn't have there own writing system, so they would recite there poetry,

Later poetry became the foundation of the first books in Japan. Japanese would often write letters that included poetry.

Tanka （たんか）

Tanka is a known poetry in Japan, and it has been around for over 1300 years! Tanka is a 5 line poem, with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern. Tanka's don't have to rhyme, and they are personal and often romantic.In feudal Japan, the ability to compose tanka was needed for a courtier.

How do you Write a Tanka? Tanka's are written with 5 lines. In Japan, the Tanka would be written in one straight line. ex: Line 1 - 5 syllables Line 2 - 7 syllables Line 3 - 5 syllables Line 4 - 7 syllables Line 5 - 7 syllables

What do you Write About? Tanka's are usually written about love, nature, seasons, love, sadness, and strong emotions. After a special occasion, people would write a Tanka about the event. If you were to write a Tanka, you would write about your feelings. To write a Tanka you need to write about something you have a passion for, or a great love for.

Renga（れんが） What is Renga? Renga is normally written by 3 or more poets. Each poet takes there turn to write their part of the poem. Renga is a linked form of poetry, so a poem can reach up to 100 verses, and there are some that reach up to 1000! The Renga evolved from the Tanka. Basically, the Renga is a bunch of Tanka's put together! Renga became a form of entertainment, people would have a party and get together to make a Renga poem.

How do you Write a Tanka? The Renga is written in the same form as a Tanka ( 5 lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count), but a Renga adds on more verses to create a longer poem. To write the Renga you've got to have 3 or more people, and it is traditionally written in one sitting! Now a days Renga's are written in days and even months! You want to use as few words as you can to create a image in the readers mind. Each Verse should connect with each other in some way and each verse should create imagery!

What do you Write About? In Renga there usually in a seasonal theme, which means the poem must have reference to each season. It doesn't matter what order there in, but spring usually comes last. Renga's commonly have references to the moon, and flowers. Poets must write about the moon at least twice, and the flowers, at least three times.

Haiku　（はいく） Haiku is one of the most important form of traditional japanese poetry. It's not common to find a Haiku people can't understand.

The metrical pattern of Haiku Haiku poems consist of respectively 5,7and 5 syllables in three units. In Japanese, this convention is a must, but in English, which has variation in the length of syllables, this can sometimes be difficult.

The technique of cutting The cutting divides the Haiku into two parts, with a certain imaginative distance between the two sections, but the two sections must remain, to a degree, independent of each other. Both sections must enrich the understanding of the other. To make this cutting in English, either the first or the second line ends normally with a colon, long dash or ellipsis.

The seasonal Theme Each Haiku must contain a kigo, a season word, which indicate in which season the Haiku is set. For example, cherry blossoms indicate spring, snow indicate winter, and mosquitoes indicate summer, but the season word isn't always that obvious. For translated Haiku-poems, the translator must decide whether he should obey the rules strictly, or if he should present the exact essence of the Haiku. For Haiku-poems originally written in English, the poet should be more careful. These are the difficulties, and the pleasures of Haiku.

How to Write a Haiku

http://www.howcast.com/videos/308374-How-To-Write-a-Haiku

-Thesaurus -Notebook paper or spiral notebook - word processor -pencil -pen -dictionary -spiral notebook

1. Think about a theme for your haiku and write down some of the words that come to mind and that theme.

2. Organize your thoughts roughly onto three lines. First, set the scene, then expand on that by expressing a feeling, making an observation or recording an action. Keep it simple.

3. Polish your Haiku into three lines with seven syllables and the third line with five syllables. It may take some time and substitution of words to make it fit

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