A tanka poem is an important form in Japanese poetry that follows a syllable pattern of 5-7-5-7-7. E.g. Whispers in moonlight— a crane steps through quiet reeds, echo of stillness, its wings hold the …

Jul 23, 2021 · Tanka poems featured prominently in pinnacles of Japanese literature, such as The Tale of Genji (sometimes claimed as the first novel of all time) and the Man’yōshū (a collection of …

Feb 8, 2025 · Originating in the 7th century, tanka has explored many aspects of the human experience—love, nature, solitude, grief, and, importantly, the concept of life itself. This article …

Jul 20, 2021 · Tanka poems are, again, similar to haiku poems in that they often discuss the same topics of emotions, seasons, nature, love, and sadness. Meet five tanka masters by looking at these tanka …

Discover tanka poetry through elegant five-line examples that expand on haiku principles with emotional depth, reflection, and traditional syllabic patterns rooted in Japanese literary history.

Jan 15, 2026 · Explore 25 stunning tanka poem examples for weddings, love, and grief. Discover the beauty of Japanese verse and find the perfect words.

Written Tales walks through the shape of a Tanka, lingering on its sensory openings and the pivot line that turns the poem, using a brief example to show how…