Tanka is a Japanese unrhymed poem having about 12 to 31 syllables usually arranged in five lines. The syllable count is 31 syllables OR LESS. Japanese use a 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure but English are usually fewer syllables than that because Japanese syllables are shorter than English syllables. The third line is usually used to transition from the top descriptive lines to the image-focused reflective metaphor, simile, or personification for the closing lines. The subject matter varies, but most tanka are emotionally stirring or profound, and many are about love.


click here if you want to read modern tanka examples


click here to read Tanka Society of America


click here if you want to read modern tanka rules

Thank you very much for your time and kind review.

Gypsy
"The poet waits quietly to paint the unsaid.

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