TANKA

Author's Comments


The Tanka is the oldest form of Japanese poetry. Its original name was that of the “Waka”. However, the Japanese poet, Masaoka Shiki amended it to Tanka as a way of modernizing the Waka. The classical Tanka was in essence, poems exchanged between lovers. Now, that concept has evolved and is no longer restricted to themes of love. Also, the syllabic count assigned to the Tanka is somewhat flexible. This aspect is discussed further on down in this blog.

As years rolled on, another form of the Tanka emerged known as the English Tanka. Now we have the Japanese Tanka and the English Tanka. This has all come about because of the syntactic structure of the Japanese language and that of the English. Where in the Japanese a meaningful statement can be said in a given number of syllables, for example, in let’s say thirty syllables, that same statement in English could be said in fewer words. Also, when written in English some difficulty may arise should a Japanese translation is required. However, it must be understood clearly that there is no departure from the underlying premise for a Tanka whether written in Japanese or English with respect to the number of lines and the premise that the Tanka must show succinctness, simplicity, and reflect nature. The adjustment is made with respect to the syllabic count where in the English Tanka the syllabic count is opened to the poet’s discretion but not the required number of lines where strict adherence must apply. However, with this liberalization in syllabic count for English Tanka, authorities on English Tanka feel that such restriction prevents padding the “moment in time” by overloading the poem with images or clichés thus stretching the sentiments beyond the moment in time”, which is the most important element of the Tanka. Clichés are not accepted in Tanka poems.

This “short form” of Japanese poetry gives poets the opportunity to express their own feelings in a unique manner, with simplicity in meaningful words crafted lyrically. If you can précis the images that come into your mind to capture the “moment in time”, then you can write a Tanka on anything that you feel passionately about, which could be about nature, a place, family, loved ones, daily activities, and so on. Now I believe that right now these questions are circulating in your head: How can Tanka be defined? What are its parameters? Read on and you shall find the answers.

Japanese Tanka is a short form poem in which a single event, image or mood is the concentrated essence of this poetic genre of five unrhymed lines. It consists of thirty-one syllables in the following structure:

First line has 5 syllables

Second line, 7 syllables

Third line, 5 syllables

Fourth line, 7 syllables

Fifth line, 7 syllables

In the English Tanka, a single event, image or mood is the concentrated essence of this poetic genre of five unrhymed lines. No restrictions on the number of syllables required as is the case with the Japanese Tanka requiring 31 syllables. However, most English Tanka that I have come across tend to adhere to a syllable count of 21 as follows:

First line has 3 syllables

Second line, 5 syllable

Third line, 3 syllables

Fourth line, 5 syllables

Fifth line, 5 syllables

Here are some examples I have crafted for greater understanding, is my hope.




Night time
(Japanese Tanka)


Floating clouds fold wings
Spread ember blanket on land
Sequined eyes sparkle
Amid vesper lullabies
Deserted roads stay on course

©Paterika Hengreaves
December 20, 2006/Ohio, USA






Happiness
(English Tanka)


The sky smiles
Yesterday tears gone,
Ground firm now
For all to stand on
Clothes lines are dancing.

©Paterika Hengreaves
December 20, 2006/Ohio, USA