TANKA IN ENGLISH

TANKA is essentially a "one-line" poem. It consists of usually five jambs with length of about eighty letters or bytes, as is shown in the oridinary books or on the displays. The tanka should not considered as a five line poem as some people believes so. The tanka should have a rythm, may be five jambs, of sound, and also have a melody of meaning.

The tanka has originated in the ancient Japan. This form of short poem became popular among many styles of short poems in 7th century, and reach its climax of literature at 9th century. Then this short poem has a very nice and long tradition until now.

Since the tanka is a one-line poem, it is very close to the ordinary prose of conversation. So this poem is utilized for the communication between the lovers, families and sometimes the animals and the gods. As a result, the tanka looks like the shortest drama condensed in one line.

This idea can be applied not only to the Japanese, but also to the English, French, German and the other many languages. But now we have the tanka only in Japanese. You can devise one, with a bit of genius.
BOARD OF TANKA SUBMISSION