Japanese Poetry Workshop Blog

This blog is designed to aid any wanting to learn more about Japanese poetry. It can also help those wanting to add a variety to their poetic writing, that is learn a new way of writing poetry that once dominated the poetry community. Or maybe you just want to sharpen your skills as I did when I first learned of this form on the original Neopoet. I experimented with this style until my heart was content. 

First, I concentrated on the strict syllables count. Then, I focused on getting the content to match the form. Though this form was challenging, it was and is worthwhile learning. Experimenting with Japanese poetry will expand your poetry repertoire. There are a few Haiku, Senyru, Tanka, and Renga poetry book on Amazon. I found reading them enlightening and helpful to me in my endeavor to expand my poetry knowledge. 

Haiku is a Japanese poem with seventeen syllables, written in three lines of five, seven, and five (5 / 7 / 5 ). it is unrhymed and traditionally written about the natural world. Senyru is similar to haiku it is also unrhymed with seventeen syllables, written in three lines of (5 / 7 / 5). The difference is Senyru is traditionally written about human felling and emotions. Tanka too is a Japanese poem with thirty-one syllables in all. It is written in five lines. (5 / 7 / 5 / 7 / 7) The first and third lines are five syllables, the second, forth, and fifth lines have seven. Tanka gives a complete picture of an event and mood. Renga is Japanese linked poetry written in the form of tanka or series of tanka. The first three lines is written by one writer and the other two lines are comprised by another writer. A typical renga sequence is composed of about 100 stanzas written by about three poets in a single sitting. Though not as good as those I read by other famous poet, I have listed some of my own work. They should give you a idea how the structure should look. 

Haiku About Bats

weightless little bugs
stormed my overgrown backyard 
with their mating calls

Senyru About Dreams

Heart beats rapidly
She jumps from her bed of fear 
Her screams traveled through the night

Tanka About Corn On The Cob

succulent and sweet
kernels unattainable
stuck between my teeth
hastily reaching forward
a toothpick will do the trick

Writing Japanese poetry may not be a preference for everyone, but it is a good way to add to your knowledge of poetry writing. It also is a superb way to expand your poetry repertoire. Especially those like me who didn't get it in school.