Japanese Poetry Workshop
Led by Alex Weeks
During this workshop Year Seven pupils were taken back in history to the days of the Emperors and to their magnificent palaces. The scene was set for the composition of some Japanese poetry for it was only the very privileged who could read and write and poetry represented the highest manifestation of Japanese culture. Whilst early poetry restricted itself to two themes- historical events or love, the influence of Buddhism introduced a third theme - nature. Rhyme was not revered in Japanese poetry being regarded as easy and monotonous. The number of syllables, however, was significant. Pupils tried their hand first at renga, a type of linked song or verse. An opening stanza, called a hokku, consisting of 3 lines was capped by another pupil writing 2 lines using 14 syllables. Renga is essentially perpetual -motion verse capping. Meaning is deepened, emphasis changed as further stanzas and verse capping take place. Choka has the pattern of a renga but is written by one person.
Some examples of Japanese poetry written by STRS pupils.
Hokku
A cat kills a bird
Underneath the burning sun
The bird is thankful
…………………………………………
Large sharks in the sea
Big sharp teeth rip their prey
Blood turns the sea red
………………………………………….
Renga
Suddenly the trees were gone
Burnt down to bark, ash and smoke
The forest was destroyed
People were selfish- burning
Down the forest,tisk, tisk,tisk
Choka
Her eyes a deep cavern of beauty
All beings can come to peace around her
A bird rests on her shoulder
It plays a soft sensuous song
How I need her heart beat
Pupils also found out about Japanese music and tried themselves to obtain a
sound from the Shakuhachi - an instrument made of bamboo and resembling a flute.
