[stylist] Another definition of Tanka

[Barbara HAMMEL]

If I read it correctly, it is a syllable.
Barbara

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 11, 2015, at 12:54, Eve Sanchez via stylist <stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> What is a kana?
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 11, 2015, at 8:56 AM, Jackie Williams via stylist <stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> This perhaps contains some strategies for attempting a Tanka. 
>> 
>> 
>> Tanka
>> 
>> An unrhymed Japanese  poem consisting of five lines of 5/7/5/7/7 (5 kana in
>> the first line, 7 kana in  the second line, 5 kana in the third line, 7 kana
>> in the fourth line, and 7 kana  in the fifth line) totaling 31 kana. 
>> 
>> General thoughts on  Tanka
>> 
>> Tanka is generally written in two parts. The first three lines  is one part,
>> and the last two lines is the second part.
>> 
>> Tanka in English  is relatively new, so there are not as many guidelines as
>> with haiku and senryu.  You may include kigo (season words), but it is not
>> necessary.
>> 
>> One  exercise for beginners is to write a haiku and add two more lines.  
>> 
>> However, tanka is not really a longer haiku, and should not be thought  of
>> as such. While tanka does use many of the same elements such as
>> juxtaposition, concrete imagery, and is usually centered around nature,
>> tanka is  less constrictive.
>> 
>> You may use metaphor, simile, and many of the other  devices generally not
>> used in haiku or senryu. You may show a more personal and  emotional
>> viewpoint.
>> 
>> If tanka were seen in a book that contains only  Japanese poetic forms, they
>> would be easily recognizable. However, if the same  poems were seen in a
>> freestyle poetry book, they may be confused with any other  five line poem.
>> 
>> English tanka has not totally found its voice.  
>> 
>> Three ways to write tanka
>> 
>> There are three basic ways to  write tanka. 
>> 
>> 1) Write 5 lines of 5/7/5/7/7. Just replace one syllable  for one kana. 
>> Most English speaking writers do not do this, as there are too  many vast
>> differences between the Japanese and English language.
>> 
>> You are  certainly free to do this, however, your tanka will be about
>> one-third longer  than the Japanese tanka. There are some Japanese who think
>> this is the only real  way to write tanka, but there are others who feel
>> that making English writers  adhere to the form serves no purpose.
>> 
>> 2) Write 5 lines of 31 syllables or  LESS, following the
>> short/long/short/long/long form. This way, your tanka will  achieve the same
>> basic effect as the Japanese tanka.
>> 
>> 3) Write 5 lines of  31 syllables or LESS, letting the poem dictate the line
>> length. You are free to  experiment more with this last option.
>> 
>> Everyone who writes tanka must  make their own personal decision on which
>> form they want to use. Some experiment  with all three forms and find their
>> own paths.  
>> 
>> 
>> Jackie Lee
>> 
>> Time is the school in which we learn.
>> Time is the fire in which we burn.
>> Delmore Schwartz       
>> 
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