Tanka is the name of an ancient form of Japanese poetry, written in 31-syllables that has been the most popular form of poetry in Japan for over 1300 years, even older than haiku. The intent of Tanka is to evoke a moment or mark an occasion as concisely as possible with a musical touch.

Over the years Tanka have evolved but the form of five lines containing 31 syllables has not changed and topics have expanded from the traditional expressions of passion and heartache and more modern style and language these days is included.
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Tanka is usually written in 5 lines containing syllables of 5-7-5-7-7.

Usually, each line consists of one image or idea; unlike English poetry, one does not seek to “wrap” lines in tanka, though in the best tanka the five lines often flow seamlessly into one thought.

Many writers of English-language tanka use less than 31 syllables and American Tanka publishers seek Tanka of five lines that are concise, evocative, true to the spirit of tanka, with rhythm and structure.

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Those studying the traditional forms of Tanka show the rest of us a way of constructing the imagery which should conform to the form for it to be Tanka.

tanka needs three distinctive parts – each connecting to what becomes the whole …
1. the upper verse (first three lines) is usually written haiku-like and shows a scene or event
2. the lower half (last three lines) shows a shift in time or internal image /emotion
3. the pivot, usually the third line, connects the two halves providing a shift in time or place or between images.

[The pivot or bridging word or words which connect a shift in time or place between images.
This is most usually the third line]

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I am grateful to Andrew Hide who introduced me to tanka and established the above in my mind and poetry allowing me to explore the form, with confidence.

(c) >>> Gina