Usage
Dictionary
Kanji: 詩
Hiragana: し、うた
Pronunciation: Shi, Uta
Meaning: Poetry, Poem
Compounds
- 漢詩 (kanshi) Chinese poetry
- 詩歌 (shiika) Japanese (and Chinese) poetry
- 詩情 (shijo, shijoh, shijou) poetic sentiment
Name
詩 is used in Japanese male names and female names. The below is the some examples.
Female names: 詩織 (Shiori), 詩乃 (Shino), 詩音 (Shion)
Unisex names: 詩 (Uta)
Column
Japanese poetry: Waka (和歌)
Waka is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that typically consists of 31 syllables arranged in a pattern of 5-7-5-7-7. It has played a central role in Japanese literature for centuries and is integral to many cultural rituals and literary works.
Characteristics of Waka
- Structure: Waka is usually composed of 31 syllables in a pattern of 5-7-5-7-7. This means the poem is written with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, five in the third, and seven syllables each in the last two lines.
- Content: The themes of waka are diverse, often focusing on nature, seasons, love, human relationships, and reflections on life. The beauty of nature and seasonal changes are particularly common subjects.
- History: Waka developed during the Nara period (710-794) and the Heian period (794-1185). Famous anthologies such as the “Manyoshu” and “Kokin Wakashu” contain a rich collection of waka.
- Influence: Waka has significantly influenced later Japanese literature and culture, including modern forms of poetry like haiku and tanka.
Example of Waka
One of the famous waka poems from the Heian period by Fujiwara Teika (藤原定家) goes:
見わたせば 花も紅葉も なかりけり 浦の苫屋の 秋の夕暮れ
When I look out, Neither flowers nor red leaves Are in sight; Only a lonely fisherman’s hut On the autumn shore.
This poem captures the sense of solitude and the serene beauty of an autumn evening.
Waka’s brevity requires poets to convey emotions and scenes concisely, making it a unique and significant form of expression in Japanese literature that continues to be cherished today.
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