53英語で説明したい日本1和歌、短歌

(Waka and Tanka)

Waka and Tanka

(Both waka and tanka are songs written in Japanese that consist of 31 syllables, "5-7-5-7-7".)

Both waka and tanka are songs written in Japanese that consist of 31 syllables, "5-7-5-7-7".

(The difference between waka and tanka is when they were composed.)

The difference between waka and tanka is when they were composed.

(Waka was the one that was read by the Edo period,)

Waka was the one that was read by the Edo period,

(and since the Meiji period it has been distinguished as tanka.)

and since the Meiji period it has been distinguished as tanka.

(It is said that the beginning of waka poems was composed by Susanoo no Mikoto)

It is said that the beginning of waka poems was composed by Susanoo no Mikoto

(when he married his wife and built a new house.)

when he married his wife and built a new house.

(Waka poems at that time were meant to be sung aloud, so they needed a unique rhythm.)

Waka poems at that time were meant to be sung aloud, so they needed a unique rhythm.

(It was during the Heian period that the current 57577 style became mainstream.)

It was during the Heian period that the current 57577 style became mainstream.

(From the Nara period to the Kamakura period, Japan's representative waka anthologies)

From the Nara period to the Kamakura period, Japan's representative waka anthologies

(such as Manyoshu, Kokin Wakashu, and Shin Kokin Wakashu were compiled.)

such as Manyoshu, Kokin Wakashu, and Shin Kokin Wakashu were compiled.

(After the Meiji period, modern tanka became popular.)

After the Meiji period, modern tanka became popular.

(Compared to waka, whose subject matter is often about love,)

Compared to waka, whose subject matter is often about love,

(tanka is more faithful to scenes and everyday life.)

tanka is more faithful to scenes and everyday life.

(And tanka denies the rhetoric that waka emphasized.)

And tanka denies the rhetoric that waka emphasized.

(Waka poems such as Manyoshu, tanka poems by Akiko Yosano and Takuboku Ishikawa after the Meiji period,)

Waka poems such as Manyoshu, tanka poems by Akiko Yosano and Takuboku Ishikawa after the Meiji period,

(and modern tanka poems by Machi Tawara can be read in English.)

and modern tanka poems by Machi Tawara can be read in English.

(It might be a good idea to compose tanka in English, like some of Yukiko Inoue-Smith's books.)

It might be a good idea to compose tanka in English, like some of Yukiko Inoue-Smith's books.

(Please enjoy waka and tanka.)

Please enjoy waka and tanka.