Ten Tanka Techniques

Carpe Diem Tokubetsudesu #66 Teika's Ten Tanka Techniques by Jane Reichhold

Teika's Ten Tanka Techniques by Jane Reichhold
1. Mystery and depth - yūgentei, the image evoking ineffable loneliness
2. Appropriate statement - koto shikarubeki
3. Elegant beauty - urawashiki tei, characterised by harmony, balance, and beauty of cadence
4. Conviction of feeling - ushintei
5. Lofty style - taketakaki tei, a method of achieving grandeur and elevation 
6. Visual description - miru tei
7. Clever treatment - omoshiroki tei, a witty or ingenious treatment of a conventional topic 
8. Novel treatment - hitofushi aru tei, Using an unusual or original poetic conception 
9. Exquisite detail - komayaka naru tei
10. Demon-quelling - onihishigitei (or kiratsu no tei), characterised by strong or even vulgar diction and terms 


# 1

veiled in sorrow

the widowed mother
seeking solace
listening bass tones calling
from the distant river edge




# 2

waters from the sky
flowing between canyon walls
traveling with ease
over fallen rock faces
looking for a new home





# ? 3 ?
chiffon windows
filtering the daylight hours
through a sieve
leaving only the starlight
for another night ...

# 4

dismissive mouths
spitting hollow words
worthless use
of hallowed oxygen
climate change is real



# 5
splendor at dusk
rising from the valley floor
Mt Fugi is crowned
by the radiance from
Ra's fiery charriot

# 6
the last room
down the long hallway
smells of burning oil
sunlight spills across the floor
pooling on the prayer rug




# 7
waiting in line
the sheep nudging closer
to the shepherd
gripping the woolen neck
snips yielding sheared beauty








# 8
sage of old opines
nothing new under the sun
star grazers hope
search the heavens afar
for a new sun








# 9
golden threads
woven to tell her story
jewel encrusted words
displayed for all to see
who can read?


 

# 10
rattling sabers
sun glinting on blade edges
saints spilled blood
mingled with horse dung
making music for the king


There are my ten.  Mark them up and help me learn.

©  Janice 'petra domina' Adcock

Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on 

CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI