Tanka

From Conservapedia

Tanka (短歌, "short poem") is a style of Japanese poetry, that evolved during the the Heian period (794 to 1185 A.D.). Together with chōka (長歌, "long poem"), it comprises the Japanese poetry genre of waka ((和歌).

Tanka are somewhat similar to haiku, but tanka poems have more syllables and make use of simile, metaphor and personification. The poems comprise 31 syllables arranged in groups of 5, 7, 5, 7 and 7 syllables. They are in two-part form, with the upper part (kami-no-ku) in 5, 7, 5, and the lower part (shimo-no-ku) in 7 and 7.

Example of Tanka

The following is a tanka written by the Emperor Tenchi (668 - 671 A.D.), shown in romaji, which provides an indication of the structure of the poem, as well as it's English translation.

Romaji
Aki no ta no
Kari ho no iho no
Toma wo arami
Waga koromode wa
Tsuyu ni nure-tsutsu.

English
Out in the fields this autumn day
They're busy reaping grain
I sought for shelter beneath this roof
But fear I sought in vain
My sleeve is wet with rain

Additional Reading

• Cranston, Edwin A. (translator). A Waka Anthology, Volume One: The Gem-Glistening Cup. Stanford University Press, 1998.
• Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko. Philomne, Marie and Saito, Masako (editors). Tomoshibi Light. New York: Weatherhill, 1991.