Traditional Japanese tanka poems consist of 31 syllables each, written in a single, unbroken line. Midway through a tanka poem, there's a change in perception. In a sonnet, it's called the volta. In a haiku, there's typically a "turn" between lines two and three. Here, too, is where we might expect to find the mid-poem switch of perspective, but instead we are given a new image or idea to ponder. Tanka are different from other poetic forms in that they are composed of discrete units known as tankas. A tanka is made up of three distinct parts: the saru (contents), the kubi (container), and the tsukemono (pickle). The saru represents what the poem is about; the kubi suggests how and why things are the way they are; and the tsukemono offers a conclusion or reminder for future reference. In short, tanka are miniature poems that can be used as stand-alone images or fragments. They're ideal for showing off your knowledge of Japanese poetry - or any other language for that matter! Tanka were popular among medieval Japanese poets because of their strict three-part structure and minimal rhyme scheme. Modern versions of tanka can be found in comic books and manga, where they are known as mizuumi or "water poems".