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Japanese Poetry

UPDATE: It has occurred to me that entrants are anonymous, I can't tell whether or not you have exceeded the entry limit... so... if you do end up submitting more that three don't go crazy. I'd much rather you spend more time honing a single poem than less time pumping out assembly line "unko".
UPDATE: I will be posting a new inspiration picture almost daily if you would like to check in. I will also be posting sample poetry, both traditional and contemporary. Scroll to the bottom to see these.

Hello all!

In the spirit of things, I shall keep this simple:

Options:

1. Write a poem in a Japanese form (haiku, tanka, shi). Don't feel limited by 5-7-5. Please write the name of the form in author's notes or the title. This can be about whatever you want, but try to keep it in the spirit of the form.

2. Write a short poem (no more than 12 lines) written with simple beauty, inspired by imagery prominent (or not so prominent) in Japanese culture. Some ideas would be a flower arrangement, a piece of calligraphy, a cherry blossom... I'm not going to say don't submit a poem about something like Naruto, because I think that would be hilarious.

3. Write a poem inspired by a piece of Japanese art. You are not limited by this, but my favorite Japanese artist is Ando Hiroshige, and my favorite wood block is the one shown. If you need inspiration, do what I do. Wiki it.



***RULES: Please try to keep it to three entries max, play nice, and have fun!

I will be commenting on all entries. Thoroughly. It irks me when all a judge says is, "nice poem thanks for entering". Super helpful, right? You took the time to write it, I'm going to take the time to consider it

Some Helpful Links

Some Japanese Art: http://www.theartofjapan.com/
About Haiku: (I love this article) http://www.writinghood.com/Style/How-To/The-Truth-About-Haiku.83389
About Tanka: http://www.americantanka.com/about.html
About Senryu: http://raysweb.net/senryu/
About Tanka and more: (includes a checklist which can be helpful)
http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/tanka.htm

If you would like some help as to a piece of work or an object to be inspired by, send me a message and I would be more than happy to make some suggestions based on your interests or at random! I am here to help!

This will be a dynamic contest, in that if your poem evolves either from my suggestions or the suggestions of others, and I've already viewed it, post a note on the contest page and I'll check it out again, as many times as needed. Poetry is a living breathing art, after all!

Best wishes,
El

A sigh from her

then one from me-

two pages turn

--George Swede, haiku


Passing the time inside,
I watch a white cloud;
Then wishing to touch it,
I suddenly realized how possible
That might be if snow falls today.

``Matsuru Omine, tanka

泥棒を
捕えてみれば
我が子なり

--柄井川柳 (川柳 >.<

"Seasonings"

sewing a garland
of cloves and cinnamon
my mother's gnarled hands

behind each ear
a touch of vanilla

hum of a bee
my dog snuffles up
a waft of rosemary

rain squall and the scent of salt -
dropping off legal papers

a splash of vinegar
over fish and chips
the awning snaps

our goodbye kiss -
the lingering taste of breath mints

J. Zimmerman, Ebba Story, and Marianna Monaco; Rengay




Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on August 29, 2008
  • Rewards: Gold: 400, Silver: 200, Bronze: 100, Honorable mention: 3 people
  • Final notes:
    This was easily the best contest I have ever run. I was so pleased with the amount of entries, so many of which were just WONDERFUL. This was very difficult to judge for me, I added more points and more honorable mentions because of it! My main goal was to learn more about Japanese forms and culture, and I have definitely done that.
    Thank you so much to everyone that entered, and congratulations!
    Shuugi!

    El

Contest Winners

  1. behind
    by myron 5 lines, 18 comments, on Aug 19 8:29 AM 2008. In haiku
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  2. Error: Unable to find finalist item 4515061, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
  3. serene
    ebony well pinned
    flowing robes encompass all
    by carole21 4 lines, 3 comments, on Aug 14 8:36 AM 2008. In Culture, Form, Other
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  4. owl Kuhai
    an owl on a silent flight,
    night becomes a hunt,
    by poetrandy 4 lines, 3 comments, on Aug 13 8:06 PM 2008. In Contest, Life, Nature, Spiritual, Thoughts, culture, form, ukaih
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  5. one star hotel (senryu)
    by Tishu 42 lines, 1 comment, on Aug 22 4:57 AM 2008. In Haiku
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  6. Error: Unable to find finalist item 4548165, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]

Entries [25]

1 - 25 of 25

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Comments


  • Emerald13
    August 30, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    thanks Candy ... and congratulations to Myron and Pania and Carole ... nicely done >>> Gina


  • myron silver member
    September 1, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Thanks

    Thanks very much for running this contest and for being so nice to me.

    Congratulations to the winners and to all who love haiku.