How to Write Tanka

To understand how to write Tanka, you should first of all have some basic knowledge of its origin. Tanka is an ancient form of Japanese poetry that was originally written to commemorate a special event or moment. Unlike many forms of early writings, both men and women practiced the activity of writing Tanka. Often, Tanka poets would use this form of poetry to express their love to their beloved, almost like a love letter. Tanka writers would not only express their noble sentiments through eloquent writing but would even choose the best writing tools and materials available to ensure excellence in their poetic endeavor. It is believed that Tanka was first written by the Japanese poet and critic Masaoka Shiki.

If you are seriously wondering about how to write Tanka, you should start with mastering the basic knowledge that the ancient writers had. You should therefore learn that the art of writing Tanka is all about using simple vocabulary to suggest deeper meaning. Tanka is in fact even older than Haiku, and although both forms of poetry are of Japanese origin, they do not share the same basic attributes. However, a basic understanding of syllable and line count is equally important in both forms of poetry, although the difference in number of each component creates the basic difference between Tanka and Haiku .

One of the best ways to learn how to write Tanka is to research other poets and read as many Tanka poems as you can. There are several websites dedicated to this elegant form of poetry. One useful site is: www.chinatownconnection.com/tanka-poems.htm. Tanka, in the original Japanese form, consists of 31 syllables, which are usually written in one line.

The modern format has retained the basic syllabic count but the line arrangement has been altered. The accepted form of syllabic count is organized into 5 lines with the following syllables: 5-7-5-7-7. Often, in the contemporary version of Tanka, the writer will alter the actual number of syllables to retain the melodic flow of words. Hence, when you are learning how to write Tanka, you should certainly master the basics of rhyme and rhythm, but you should not be afraid of experimenting.

Many Japanese poets as well as poets of other origins have acquired world fame thanks to their mastery of Tanka. Yamanoue no Okura, for instance, wrote Tanka during the Nara period (A.D. 710 - 794) as a conclusion to some of his other poems such as Choka. Dr. Neal Henry Lawrence is an interesting example of a more present-day Tanka poet, and that too one who is not of Japanese origin. Dr. Lawrence was in fact a Benedictine Monk and a highly respected professor at several Japanese Universities. However, he believed that when writing Tanka, one should never stray from the 5-7-5-7-7 pattern. One of his poems can be accessed at www.saintjohnsabbey.org/lawrence