Tanka

Tanka, also known as Waka, were the traditional short poems and songs in Rokugan. They were written in short lines with thirty-one syllables following a 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic pattern. The more modern form of poetry called renga was based on the same syllabic pattern as waka, Way of the Crane, p. 67 and haiku as well, a development of the first three lines of the tanka, known as the hokku. Book of Fire, p. 118
== Tournament ==
Every year a poetry competition was held by the Emperor, and sponsored by the Crane Clan. Thousands of people entered their waka on a topic chosen by the Emperor himself. 
== Grave Marker ==
Tanka were commonly encountered on ancient grave markers, before the Imperial decree dictating cremation of all bodies. Book of Fire, p. 117
== Structure ==
The tanka was a deceptively simple poem with a striking or complex meaning. It consisted of five “units,” each represented on a separate line on paper. The first three units were the “upper half” and the last two were the “completion” or “lower half.” Each unit was a complete or partial statement, consisting of a specific number of total syllables (more accurately, mora) on each line. The number of syllables/mora on each line must match the number of symbols to represent them. A tanka must divide its statement in the first and second halves; the first half should conjure a specific metaphor or image, and the couplet should either complete the metaphor or make a statement about the point of the first half. Book of Fire, p. 116
=== Conventions ===
There were several conventions associated to Tanka poetry:
* Makurakotoba - use of ephitets
* Honkadori - a specific type of allusion
Category:Poetry
Category:Rokugani Language