How to do Renga
Posted on October 13th, 2009 by Marck
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Art in Japan is introspection, exploration, and meditation. Man’s relationship with others, with nature, and the exploration of one’s self is a common theme in Japanese art. One art form that you can explore along with friends, family members, or fellow poets is the renga.
Japanese Poetry
The Japanese aesthetic ties in with much of Japanese philosophy and culture. There are two principles in Japanese aesthetics that are often applied in their classical art forms:
- Wabi-sabi is a feeling of imperfection and incompleteness essential to how one understands and experiences the world. The beauty of Japanese poetry is that it does not put so much emphasis on form, but the meaning emerges naturally from the verses.
- Mono no aware is the sensitivity of a person towards transience and the passing of time. Mono no aware situates the poet or artist in time, and articulates the feeling of awe and empathy.
Structure of Renga
Renga is a collaborative poem performed by two or more people. Renga is usually an oral tradition, but it can be expressed in written form. It was from the renga that other later forms of Japanese poetry emerged. Renga is composed of the following parts:
- Hokku begins the renga. It is a short, 17-syllable verse divided into three lines, cut at five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables. The haiku was derived from the hokku; the hokku is understood to be the beginning of an exchange, but the haiku is considered a complete poem.
- Waki is the second stanza of the renga, composed of 14 syllables divided equally between two lines. Making the waki is considered a great honor, and is usually given to the most respected poet in the group, or the person who helped gather people for renga.
- Daisan is the third stanza of the renga. The daisan is very important because it sets the theme; at the same time, it provides the continuity of the poetic conversation. The daisan resembles the hokku, although it is cut short to allow the other stanzas of the poem to fit more naturally into the verse.
- Hiraku are the other stanzas and lines of the renga. The hiraku is arranged and cut in the same patterns as hokku and waki.
- Ageku ends the renga. A good way to end renga is to make sure that the ageku ties in with everything in the poem.
Renga can be a great activity for parties and gatherings. With these steps and tips, you can make renga out of any topic or theme you may have in mind.
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