Tanka (短歌, “short poem”) is one of the oldest geners of Japanese poetry ( it originated in the 7th century ).
It consist of five units usually with the following pattern of on [ phonetic sounds in Japanese poetry (often treated as the number of syllables )]: 5-7-5-7-7.
The 5-7-5 is called the kami-no-ku (上の句, “upper phrase”), and the 7-7 is called the shimo-no-ku (下の句, “lower phrase”).
While many of the elements used ( concrete imagery, juxtaposition, being centered around nature ) are the same for both haiku and tanka the latter is less restricting.
The hot water in
the abandoned kettle
slowly cools
still carrying the resentment
of cold water. – Tada Chimako
***
Whole this world
Because the full moon
Is my world, I think.
Don’t wane As well as me – Fujiwara Michinaga
***
all day
rain has come down
drop by drop
the pain of your absence
has penetrated me – Keith Mcmahen
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A haiku is traditionally a Japanese poem consisting of three short lines that do not rhyme. The origins of haiku poems can be traced back as far as the 9th century.
Traditional haiku often consist of 17 on with the following pattern of: 5,7 and 5.
A kigo (seasonal reference), usually drawn from a saijiki (a defined list of such terms) is also a defining characteristic.
For love and for hate
I swat a fly and offer it
to an ant. – Masaoka Shiki
***
The lamp once out
Cool stars enter
The window frame. – Natsume Soseki
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Lily:
out of the water
out of itself – Nick Virgilio
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