Japanese Poetry Forms

You will experience current thinking in the field around various Japanese poetry forms and add to the conversation. You will receive controversial essays to discuss. What are the differences between traditional Japanese thinking around the short poetic forms and current English Language writers' interpretations? We'll analyze this controversy and add to the conversation.

Week 1:

The magic of haiku and its extension to tanka. What is the importance of the "pivotal line" in a kyoka? What is the difference between "nature" and "seasonal"? Why is that important? What are "kigo"? Where are the best "kigo" sites? What is the controversy over syllable count in both haiku and tanka?

Assignment:

Write a haiku and extend the same into a tanka. Review classmates' assignments. Visit kigo sites that are recommended.

Week 2:

The fun and enjoyment of senryu and kyoka. Why are these forms considered step-childs to haiku/tanka? What is the history? Who is the audience? How do you define satire/wit and humor? What is the place of bawdiness in poetry? Arre these forms currently relevant?

Assignment:

Read/review recommended sites. Write a senryu for review by classmates. Then, revise with edits for posting on FanStory.

Week 3:

Are you an artist, a graphic illustrator, or a prose writer? You'll love this class. Cinquains, Haiga and Haibun - What are they? How did they originate? What are resources to help create them? How do they relate to haiku, tanka, senryu and kyoka?

Assignment: Create a Haibun for review by classmates before posting on FanStory or other recommended sites.

Week 4:

These are complex forms. We'll just be peeking into them. More to come. Imperial Court Tanka, the Renga, and final clarifications. An invitation to be collegial and participate further in the community, beyond the class.

Assignment: Write down questions to ask colleagues and consider participating in a future endeavor (colleagial) of writing an Imperial Court Tanka or Renga.



Instructor: Susan Campion

About The Instructor: Susan Galletti Campion has been published in multiple education journals and books as well as several poetry anthologies. She was the Editor of Schools in the Middle magazine for five years, as the Associate Executive Director of the largest professional organization of middle and high school principals in the world (NASSP). In that capacity, she also provided professional development to principals in over 34 states and understands and appreciates constructivist teaching, facilitation, and the positives of creating a learning community. Susan holds a Doctorate degree from the University of Washington and majored in English at San Diego State University. Susan facilitated the creation of the ground-breaking book of senryu, kyoka and haiga entitled Pieces of Her Mind, working with women writers from around the world. She is a recognized poet on FanStory and received the trophy as the Top 5 Poet in 2010.