At the end of the Heian Period (A.D. 794-1185), a new poetry trend developed among the aristocracy of Japan: the renga (連歌).
A renga (Japanese: Linked Poem) is exactly that: a set of linked verses. Two or more poets would create the poem: the first poet would choose a theme and create a hokku (発句), literally the "starting verse" of 5-7-5 syllables. The next poet would have to continue the theme, using a verse of 7-7 syllables. The next entry (be it the same poet or a new one) had to continue on the them, but again create a verse of 5-7-5; the following poet with a verse of 7-7, and so on.
A gathering of poets for such an event was called a renju, involving up to 7 or 8 poets. There was a Master, who would set the tone and oversee the aesthetic progression of the poem. There was a scribe, whose job it was to both write down the verses as they came as well as enforce the rules the particular genre. Each participant would recite their verse to the scribe, who had to check it for infractions of the rules before inscribing it (Often younger aspiring poets, they had to have a prodigious memory to quickly remember every verse and compare the current verse to the previous verses. They also had to serve as a master of ceremonies, as unlike earlier poetry, reiju could be attended by multiple social classes of people).
There, were, of course, multiple conventions: How the poems were to be transcribed (typically 4 sheets of paper front and back, with the first and last pages having 8 verses and the others 16 verses), the use of particular words such as a kireji (cutting word) and kigo (seasonal word). Some phrases could only be used once, some had to be repeated if the theme demanded it.
In A.D. 1356 the first renga anthology was published. The great rengu masters often traveled from place to place and were sought after as guests of honour for renga writing.
A renga from Willian Scott Wilson's A Beginner's Guide to Haku. This renga involved six poets:
where geese return
full of peace.
W. in CA
ReplyDeleteIt seems some of the greatest of all the different arts come from these ancient times. Beauty was sought through creative expression and appreciated. As time passes this apprears to be degraded by the pollution or perversion of our hearts. We are drawn to darkness due to our sin nature. Darkness hates the light. We want recognition so we can fill our pride bucket with a little more. Today, access to art is open to all, wickedness fills society with titilations, and corruption is on view for all. Social media leads us to the lowest common denominator. Anything good is ignored or attacked. The crowd is turning our brains to mush. Few think for themselves because it is a lonely walk if they do. I wonder if a renju could ever happen again? A few more followers on your Haiku page and maybe we could try it.
Hope your trip is going well. I look forward to what you are going to share TB. Happy travels, we miss you!
W - The decline of art (at least in my own opinion) is a subject that I could only hold an opinion on, not an actual consideration. Certainly we have fallen a long way from the classical art of Western civilization (and similar arts of other cultures) to a great deal of what is presented as "art" in the modern world. Minds wiser than mine have speculated this is due to the fact that we have moved from the objective nature of beauty to beauty in the eye of the beholder as well as the idea that art is not about the audience but about the artist; it is not an expression of the artist of existing beauty but rather the work primarily of the artist.
DeleteEven just posting responsive haikus is something.
a non persona
ReplyDeleteI'm attempting my autobiography in short sketches.
I separate each entry with a haiku. The sketches are excruciating, the haiku pure joy.
Anon - Haikus are challenging to me the more I look into them. They are much more more challenging than one thinks - but as you say, a joy to write.
DeleteLearned something new again today TB, thanks....as for pursuing renga, this is the stop I'm getting off at, one haiku is difficult enough for me....:) I do appreciate expanding my knowledge base even at this point in my life....same age as OAF.
ReplyDeleteNylon12 - I am learning too as my impression of haikus are not nearly what I thought they were.
DeleteI do appreciate your efforts!
Some fascinating insight, sir. I've only ever "understood" haiku in the sense that I'm dimly aware of its existence and origins, so a look behind the curtain from someone more learned on the subject is the closest I'll come to comprehension.
ReplyDeleteLooking over this entry and re-reading (or re-re-re...) the work presented, along with considerations of some your prior haiku entries, I was struck by a thought: to my mis- or mal-wired brain, pleasant aesthetics are a distant secondary concern to Doing The Thing, and art in all its forms hinges on those pleasant details to fully bloom. And if one cannot Do The Thing very well, then how and where does one find the time, effort, or ability to make it presentable?
Commitment is a harsh mistress to one who knows (or, perhaps, "knows") he is lacking from the outset, it seems.
P_P - This is a learning experience for me too; I would like to get better at them because within them - I think - is a key to more clearly seeing life and practicing other art forms.
DeleteI think we have to "Do The Thing" poorly to do it well. One thing I suspect that is rate limiting to many (including myself) is the willingness to be bad before we become better. Perhaps this stems from the fact that in modern society we place a premium on the finished and glossy, not acknowledging that there is a spectrum of such things as we move towards greater knowledge and skill. Perhaps, too, it is the willingness to be thought of as "bad" at something, perhaps for a long while. The reality - as least in my own life - is that my "bad" is often everyone else's "That is amazing!", simply because they do not do such things at all.
If I am going to enjoy or ever again dabble in haiku, I'm hereby resigned to doing it badly. I'm thinking this is much too complicated for my brain. I greatly admire your dedication to studying a thing, TB.
DeleteBecki, I am resigned to doing everything badly for all time. Occasionally I gain a little skill.
DeleteI really like the idea of collaborative poetry. Not that I know much about any kind of poetry. My brain tends toward literal interpretation, so poetry is somewhat challenging. I do have it on my list to study some day.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, it really is an interesting idea. I am not sure that a similar concept ever developed in Western culture in the same way.
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