Tag Archives: japanese culture

A Floating World…poetic history of tanka

genie Nakano Before Japan could read or write,  tanka was called waka performed as short songs in five lines short  long  short   long   long Heian imperial court was well versed in  waka after a love affair erotic exchanges of waka was expected proper etiquette Women were the best of tanka’s golden era yearning, soaring talesContinue reading “A Floating World…poetic history of tanka”

Bodhisattva

At night our little black dog snuggles between us lies on his back and snores loudly snip, brush, snip around his furry face Bodhi loves it all tilts his head way back crooning to the moon Bodhisattva means, Buddha in training…’ they say all good dogs go to heaven I hope to meet him thereContinue reading “Bodhisattva”

Akiko Yosano #2

Akiko is my favorite tanka poet. Her tanka were bold, sensuous and controversial. Here is my tanka in honor of Akiko and below it are examples of her tanka from the book “Tangled Hair.” They were chosen randomly. The book is excellent and has 165 of her tanka, notes and her biography. Akiko wrote 50Continue reading “Akiko Yosano #2”