Writing Tanka - what is Tanka ?

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.
===

USUALLY - the key word here.

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.

===

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.]

===

my notes above taken from a friend who knows his Japanese Tanka … (as follows)

In simplest terms, to create a tanka, the poem needs to include three distictive parts, each superimposed with the others to appear to be a single discription.

These are:-

1 KAMINOKU
The upper verse of a tanka. (first three lines) this will usually show a scene or event (usually in the style of haiku).

2SHIMONOKU

The lower or second verse in a tanka. (last three lines) This shows either a shift in time, or a internal image from within the poet. (What the Kaminoku made the poet feel, emotions )

3 KAKEKOTOBO
The pivot or bridging word or words which connect a shift in time or place between images.
In English, this will usually be the third line but belong to both the Kaminoku and the Shimonoku.

(This creates the super imposing of images)

Additional terms in Japanese poetry. 

Aware Touchingness. The effect an object has on the reader’s emotions.
Your rusty old childhood bike has aware, your neighbors shiny new mountain bike with all accessories does not.

Choka Long poem. Similar in rhythm to the tanka but longer. Lines alternate between short and long until the last two lines both of which are long.

Hibiki Echo. Two stanzas closely reflecting the same situation/image.

Honkadori Similar to allusion. A line or reference taken directly from other famous litery works and placed to give the association to the reader without long explanations. A common example of this is the wet sleeves used repeatedly by different poets to represent tears.

Kigo This is the traditional requirement of referring to a season or New Years. But, it has been found through intense study by experts that many Masters including Matsuo Kinsaku (Basho) skipped the season reference from time to time.

Kakekotoba The pivot or bridging word or words which connect a shift in time or place between images.

Kaminoku Upper or first verse in a tanka.

Katauta Basic Japanese stanza with onji pattern of 5-7-7. Used either on its own or usually as a pair in a sedoka or mondo. When spoken a katauta is the length of a single easy breath.

Mondo Early Japanese poetic form, made from two katauta it shares the same shape as a sedoka but is traditionally written by two authors. The first katauta is phrased as a question; the second is delivered as the answer, often with a philosophical tone.

Sedoka One of the earliest forms of poetry in Japan. Made from using two katauta.

Shasei This is a Japanese term meaning roughly “on the spot composition”. The poet would witness something simple yet profound and write it on the spot. He/she would “reveal” a moment in time….. Without interfering!

Shimonoku The lower or second verse in a tanka.

Shofu Proper style

Wakiku
wakiku is a side verse usually associated with renga.

[italicised notes by Andrew Hide]