How to Write Japanese Poetry
Use your words to help Japan.
In the wake of the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that pounded and destroyed it’s land and people, Japan needs aid. As writers, we have our words and we can help Japan during this tragedy.
Like many around the world, I remember waking up and hearing the shocking reports and watching the devastating videos. The rushing water, the buildings and homes toppling everywhere—even whole coastal towns being wiped out.
The death toll in Japan surpasses 18,000, according to police estimates, and this number will likely rise. People are missing, and many lack power, food and basic living supplies.
The damage and destruction is unfathomable, and while it can be easy to try to block it all out, I’d like to help in some way. If you would too, continuing reading to find out how you can help Japan using your writing.
4/14/2011 Update: The two collections listed in this post are now closed for submissions. You may still want to see the list and explanation about traditional Japanese poetry forms.
Two Ways to Submit Your Writing to Help Japan
New Sun Rising: Stories for Japan will be a collection of stories, poems, and art honoring and celebrating Japan. All proceeds will go the Red Cross to aid the relief effort in Japan.
They are currently seeking the following:
• stories, including flash fiction
• poetry
• artwork (black and white)
Each creative writing and art submission must celebrate Japan in some way. Each piece can be about Japanese people and culture, set in Japan, or executed in traditional Japanese forms (see Japanese poetry forms below).
Contribute to this anthology for Japan.
See the specifics on the project’s website. The deadline is April 11, 2011. Submissions should be emailed to: submissions (at) booksthathelp.org. They say they cannot open attachments unless they contain art, and they’ve already received about 100, so get yours in as soon as you can.
Also, a group of writers in Japan is publishing an ebook to help Japan. All proceeds from the sale of the ebook will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross. They are seeking short pieces of writing of 500 to 1000 words.
They welcome the following types of non-fiction writing:
• travel stories
• humor pieces
• translations from Japanese or other languages
• interviews or profiles
They ask people to submit writing as .doc or .rtf files by March 27, 2011 by email to write.for.tohoku@gmail.com.
Japanese Poetry Forms
The New Sun Rising collection welcomes poetry, so it might be useful to know some traditional Japan poetry forms.
While researching Japanese writing, I came across the following quote in a book titled World History, to 1500 by William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel.
“Japanese poetry is unique. It expresses its themes in a simple form, a characteristic stemming from traditional Japanese aesthetics, Zen religion, and the language itself. The aim of the Japanese poet was to create a mood, perhaps the melancholic effect of gently falling cherry blossoms or leaves.”
How to Write A Haiku
The is probably the most well known form of Japan poetry. It’s written in the moment, and some people say to write one, you must be in a state of relaxation.
While many people say that haiku have 17 syllables, this is not exactly true. It really contains 17 moras, a unit in phonology that determines syllable weight, which in some languages determines stress or timing. When writing one in English, using 17 syllables is probably the easiest way to approach one.
How to Write A Senryu
This three line Japanese poetry form is structurally similar to haiku. It is unrhymed and the subject is based on human nature. It is usually satirical or ironic.
line 1 – 5 syllables
line 2 – 7 syllables
line 3 – 5 syllables
You can see some examples from a contest held by The Atlantic.
How to Write A Tanka
A Tanka poem is traditionally written about one’s feelings. The easiest way to think of one is as a haiku with an additional couplet. See some examples on this website.
How to Write A Renga
A Renga poem is a linked Tanka written by two poets or more. It’s also a contemplative poetry that focuses on nature, color, season, small contrasts and surprises.
See an example in this article from Aha Poetry.
How to Write A Katuata
This Japanese poetry form originally consisted of a poem consisting of 19 sound units or onji. You may wish to think of it as a syllable count of 19. Either 5-7-5 or 5-7-7 are the two formats used. Mondo and Sedoka are two forms of Katuata. The first is written by two poets; the second is written by one.
See an example on this website.
How to Write A Choka
This is the most intricate Japanese poetry form. The early form consisted of a series of Katuata joined together.
You can contribute to the world’s longest Choka poem on this website.
How to Write A Haibun
Haibun is a combination of prose and haiku poetry. It is usually written in the present tense.
Here is a literary blog devoted to this Japanese poetry form.
To help in other ways beyond writing, The Huffington Post has a great round-up of ways to help Japan.
I’d also really appreciate it if you’d tweet, or share this post about how writers can help Japan in some way.
I’m starting a e-mail newsletter that is sure to be fun for writers. I hope you’ll get on the list before the launch.
3/20/2011 update: I’ve posted another way writers can help Japan.
~ Lindsay Oberst Happy Writing!
Resources used:
Word Zeal is a place for poets and word lovers. It exists to celebrate words and writing and to help writers survive the difficulty of the writing life. We focus on poetry, short fiction and experimental writing forms.
The email e-letter is launching soon (and it will be even more awesome if you join). Lindsay Oberst is the writer and word zealot who created and runs this blog.
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