Enjoy with sound Japanese old poetry ”Waka” for beginners
What is Tanka (WAKA)?
It is one of the Japanese short poems that has a 31-syllable form: 5, 7, 5, 7, 7. The differences from haiku, which is also a short poem and has a five-seven-five 17-syllable format.
■Differences in content
Tanka… Read with a focus on “me” .
“How to make Waka”
“Write down what you think”
Write down what you thought about it, even if it’s just one sentence, and use it as the basis for 5-7-5-7-7.
The theme can be something familiar to you.
I started reading Love Poetry 1 of the “Shin Kokin Wakashu”written by Fujiwara Teika and others. I will take these 90 poetrys and transform them into modern songs. It may be a modern translation. I am also going to compare it with Love Poetry 1 from ” Kokin Wakashu”, which was published the other day.
The characteristics of the ”Shin Kokin Wakashu”are said to be fantastic, aesthetic, and painterly. It is also said that Teika developed the world of “yūgen”that is said to have been proposed by his father, Toshinari.
At the same time, I am also reading a book related to Fujiwara Teika’s 50-year diary, ”Meigetsuki”.
Teika Fujiwara is an interesting man.
The year of establishment and author of each.
Manyoshu: Compiled by Otomo Yakamochi and others around 780
Kokin Wakashu: 905, compiled by Kinotsurayuki and others
The Tale of Genji: Around 1008, Murasaki Shikibu
Meigetsuki: 1180, Fujiwara Teika
New Kokin Wakashu: 1210, compiled by Fujiwara Teika and others
Hojoki: 1212, KamonoChomei
It is a national asset of Japan.
I would like to say something.
For foreigners, the most famous garden in Japan is probably Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto.
I think it was about 10 years ago. I am a Japanese who has already visited Ryoan-ji many times. I am one of those Japanese who are fascinated by Ryoan-ji Temple. I remember how disappointed I was. The earthen walls surrounding the garden of Ryoan-ji Temple were under repair. The beauty of Ryoan-ji’s garden lay in its antiquity. However, when the earthen walls were repaired, I felt something very strange.
The new walled garden was less beautiful than before. There may be many reasons for this, but I was a little disappointed.