Poetry has always been a popular genre in East Asia. Many countries are known for certain types of poetry or certain works of poetry, such as Japan and China. China has The Book of Songs, or 300 Poems, that is the oldest documented authentic poetry from China; Japan is widely known for the haiku and the tanka poems. The haiku and tanka poetry traditionally focus on nature and having the ability to reveal beautiful details of nature in just a few lines that the reader can emotionally connect with. As you read the following poems below, notice the form of the poems and how they depict nature so clearly.

Haiku

Haiku poems are Japanese nature poems. The structure is three lines and a total of 17 syllables. The first line of the poem has five syllables, the second line of the poem has seven syllables, and the last line of the poem has five syllables. The focus on the haiku is to provide a clear snapshot of nature in only three lines. Read the following Haiku poems, and as you read, picture the clear image of nature the poem paints. Also, notice how the poem is structured. 

           Old Pond

At the age old pond

A frog leaps into water

A deep resonance

Winter Chill

Ice coats like crystal

Sunlight glistens on the snow

Winter paints the town

Petals

Soft and smooth velvet

Bright yellow they glow sunshine

A field of pure joy

Tanka

Tanka poems are also Japanese nature poems that are similar to Haiku poems. However, Tanka poems have five lines. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, the third line has five syllables, and the fourth and fifth lines both have seven syllables. Tanka poems also reveal a scene in nature. Notice the elements of nature and structure as you read the Tanka poems.

Ocean Music

Ocean crashes loudly

A cacophony of tunes

Raining on the sand

My feet dance in the foam surf

And my heart swims with the waves

Mauna Kea

Sky streaked with pastels

Colors mingle to create

A perfect picture

Of snow reflecting sunset

And stars screaming to be seen

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.