2. Poetry Unit: Japanese Poetry Tanka and Haiku
12 CP English
2nd Marking Period

3. Basic Definitions
Haiku: a brief, unrhymed, three-line poem developed in Japan in the 1600s
Tanka: a five-line Japanese poem that evokes a strong image or emotion through indirect means.

4. Well-known form of Japanese poetry usually about nature
Elements that make up a haiku:
Short! (traditionally 3 lines, 5-7-5, 17 syllables)
Haikus usually express just one moment in time (not what happened before or after)
Imagery (use sensory details to paint a vivid picture)
But no similes or metaphors- keep it simple!
Nature (typically about nature or using seasonal references)
Simple language (no need to be wordy; concise is always best)

5. How to write a haiku…
Write of a specific event or observation; do not write in general terms.
Write in the present tense.
Try to indicate the feelings of the poet as she/he is writing the poem.
When describing an event, present it as an image.
For example, the following is NOT a traditional haiku:
I watched the rain Drops as they splattered Into the puddle.
As written by a 4th grade student, the same sentiment is expressed as haiku:
Soft warm splattering Echoing in circles Settle in the puddle.

6. Haiku Poets: pg 449 in Elements of Literature textbook
Read the haiku’s by Matsuo Basho on pages and answer the “Thinking Critically” questions on page 454 in complete sentences
Reminder:
Mood is the overall emotion created by a work of literature
Tone is the author’s attitude towards a subject

13. Article of the Week due!
Put in basket NOW!!!!

14. *Tanka* Tanka means “short songs” in Japanese
AKA brief lyrical poems
Invented more than a thousand years ago
Consists of exactly 31 syllables that are divided among 5 lines
Traditionally: 3 lines have 7 syllables and the other 2 lines have 5 syllables
Lines 1 and 3 – 5 syllables
Lines 2, 4 & 5- 7 syllables
Contains beauty and emotion through strong imagery …it’s just as important in what the poet does not say as it is important as what the poet does say. (direct vs. implied)
Typically written about nature, seasons, love, sadness, or any other strong emotion
Contains similes or metaphors

15. How to write a tanka: What can create a strong emotion?
You may want to incorporate art again if you are having trouble selecting a subject.
Vivid imagery (using sensory details to paint an image in your reader’s minds)
Include a simile or metaphor (YOUR TANKA MUST DO THIS)
Start the with a description of the image (lines 1 & 2)
Then, write your response to this image (lines 3-5)

16. Thinking Critically about Tankas pg 443-445 in Elements of Lit textbook
Read the tankas on pages 443 & 444 and answer the Thinking Critically questions IN COMPLETE SENTENCES on page 445
Put your responses on the same paper that you did the Haiku Thinking Critically questions