Haiku and Tanka Poetry

What You Will What You Will NeedNeed

1.Piece of Paper for notes2. Piece of Paper for answering the quick write & questions3.Piece of Paper for writing your 2 responses and 4 poems (2 haiku & 2 tanka)

Quick Write

• What do you know or think you know about Haiku and Tanka Poetry?

• Do you think they are supposed to rhyme?

• What country do you think they come from?

What is Haiku?• Important form of Japanese poetry

• 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units. (5-7-5)

• Haiku formally recognized in 1890’s through efforts of Masaoka Shiki

• Traditional haiku poems based on four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter)

How to write Haiku• Traditional Haiku contains a kigo, a season

word and are about nature and the seasons

• Kigo indicates which season the Haiku is set.

• Cherry blossoms indicate spring etc.

• Season word isn't always that obvious

• Use 5 syllable -7 syllable -5 syllable pattern

• Modern Haikus can be about most subjects

Answer The Following

1. True/False Haiku is an important form of Japanese Poetry.

2. What is the syllabic pattern of Haiku?

3. When was Haiku established as it’s own poetic form?

4. Who is responsible for modern Haiku?

5. What are traditional Haikus based on?

Tanka Poetry

This is NOT a This is NOT a TANKA!TANKA!

It’s a TONKA,

there’s a big

difference!you can write a tanka about the tonka if you

wish!

What is Tanka?• Tanka is one of the oldest forms of

traditional Japanese poetry

• 31-syllable verse form consisting of five syllablic units.(5-7-5-7-7)

• Tanka poems split in two parts, usually the last two lines comment on 1st three.

• Emotions (Especially Love) are popular subjects for Tanka poetry

Answer The Following

6. Is this: an example of Tanka poetry?

7. What is the metrical pattern of Tanka?8. How many parts is a Tanka poem split

into?9. What is a popular subject for Tanka

poems?10.What do the last two lines usually serve

as in Tanka poetry?

How to write Tanka

• Use symbols to represent emotions

• Use images of nature

• Can use Kigos like in Haiku poems

• Don’t have to be that obvious

• Use 5-7-5-7-7 pattern

• Last two lines usually serve as commentary on first three

Now It’s Your Turn!• Now that you have read and analyzed

both forms of poetry, it’s time to write your own!

• You will write one ‘traditional’ haiku dealing with nature and the seasons and one ‘modern’ haiku where the subject matter is up to you

• You will do the same with Tanka poetry• Refer to the rules for writing Haikus and

Tankas and have fun! • This is due the beginning of the next

class. (Extra credit will be given if you write more than two)

TOTD

What surprised you the most about both forms of poetry and why?