Ageku Closing, or "bottom" verse (Shimo-no-ku) of tanka, consisting of two seven-syllable lines. May stand for the shorter half of the renga verse (hokku is the opposite).
Aika Elegy.
Aware Derives from exclamation "Appare"- "Oh!". Can be translated as "sad fascination, sorrow".
Banka Elegy (usually on somebody's death), funeral song, mourning song.
Cho:wabi Experience of harmony. One of the aware categories.
Djiamari Additional sylable in the end of poem.
Eika 1)Composition of poems 2) (Bud.) Chant.
Engo "Threaded words" -- one of the traditional Japanese poetic techniques. Associative words- images.
Enka Song genre.
Funauta Seamen's song, usually a rowing cheer.
Genji-monogatari Masterpiece of Japanese literature by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, written toward the beginning of the 11th century. One of the most important books of the middle ages, it recounts the story of four generations of the imperial family spanning more than 70 years
Haibun Prosaic style similar to haikai in its use of humor, jocular sayings, and confessional narrative.
Haidan The circle of haikai poets (syn.: - kadan).
Haiga A painting (drawing) in the spirit of haikai . These works usually complemented actual haikai poems, or borrowed their plots.
Haijin Haikai genre poet.
Haikai Poetry genre manifesting most clearly in haiku form. In contrast with classical renga, a popular genre. Another variation was haikai renga, an aphoristic and playful genre common in Edo period.
Haiku One of Japanese short poetry forms. "Originally, the form was restricted in subject matter to an objective description of nature suggestive of one of the seasons, evoking a definite, though unstated, emotional response. Later its subject range was broaden
Haimei Alias of a haikai poet . (syn.: - haigo:).
Haimi 1) The spirit of haikai. 2) Haikai mood.
Haisei Great poet of haikai, first of them all Matsuo Basho (1644-1694).
Haiyu: Haiku poetry pals.
Hanka 1)One or more tanka amending nagauta. 2) Tanka sent in epistolary reply. (syn.: kaeshi-uta).
Hokku First, or "upper" verse of tanka or renga. Often used as syn. of haiku.
Imayo:uta Poetic style, popular between the middle Heian (794-1185) and the late Kamakura (1185-1333) periods; during this time it was considered the modern style (lit. modern style, the latest fashion), as opposed to the court poetry saibara.
Iroke Romantic fascination, desire, sensuality.
Jo Poetic technique of introducing a contextually important word in an apparently inadvertent manner.
Jojishi Epos, epic poetry.
Kado: The art of composing waka; poetry.
Kaeuta A parody, e.g. singing parody words using famous melody.
Kahi Gravestone inscribed with waka.
Kakekotoba Usage of homonims.
Kandobi One of the aware categories.
Kanshi Chinese poetry of the Chan era, Chinese poem in general; (kanshijin - Japanese poet, writing in Chinese).
Kasei A poet of genius (appellation reserved for the compeers of Hitomaro and Basho) (syn.: kasen - outstanding poet, shisei - great poet: Du Fu, Chinese poet of 8 century).
Kashi Song lyrics.
Kayo: Song, ballad, in general, a form of sung folk tale.
Kigo In haiku poetry, the word hinting at the season of the year.
Koika Love song, love lyrics.
Koka Old song, ancient poem.
Kokoro Heart, feeling, soul. The opposite of kotoba - substance.
Kotoba Word, language, speech. With kokoro, it is one of the central categories of classic poetry.
Kusaku The act of composing haiku poems.
Manyo:shu: The oldest anthology of Japanese poetry, it is made up of 20 volumes containing more than 4500 nagauta, tanka, and sedo:ka verse; their authors are unknown. The poems are organized into three sections (so:mon, banka, jo:ka). Manyoshu: is believed to be pu
Miyabi Courtly elegance.
Monogatari A genre of Japanese prose: tale, story, legend.
Mono-no-aware (lit.: fascination of things) Philosophic and aesthetic category expressing the literary ideal of the Nara period (710-784). The enveloping sensation of refinement and grace, in which the feeling and the mind come together.
Mujo: The view of the world peculiar to Heian nobility that developed under the growing influence of Buddhism.
Mushin (lit.: heart free from illusions) Short for mushin renga - "serious" renga devoid of jokes and humor (ant. - ushin).
Nagauta Long song of an almost unlimited number of verse (up to 50). Alteration of five and seven syllable lines with two seven-syllable lines at the end.
Nikki (lit..: diary) One of the genres of medieval literature. Most known is the diary of Murasaki Shikibu, lady in waitng of the imperial court.
Omoi (lit. Thought, meditation) In poetics - the idea and the emotional content of verse.
Renga A genre of medieval poetry originating from tanka which gained popularity in Heian era (794 - 1192).
Renka Love poetry.
Saibara Ancient chants based on folk songs of Nara period. (710-784).
Saiso: Poetic talent.
Sambun Prose.
Sanka Laudatory song, hymn.
Senryu: Satiric or jocular hokku (5-7-5). This popular verse flourished during Edo (1603-1867) period and was characterized by the use of slang expressions, no seasonal words and down-to-earth interpretation.
Sedo:ka Early medieval poetic genre (5-7-7, 5-7-7). Originates from the folk song practice of two voices repeating twice each 5-7-7 verse.
Shiijn Poet (syn. shijin, haijin).
Shika Chinese and Japanese poetry.
Sugata Aspect, form. Usually refers to a literary form.
Takusen Famous poet.
Tanrenga Tanka, composed by two persons.
Tatoe Juxtaposition, metaphors of all kinds.
Tatoeuta (lit.: comparing song) One of the six main waka genres typical for Heian period, in which the feelings and ideas found metaphorical expression.
Tenja Judge in haiku composition contests.
To:ka Funeral song (syn.: - banka).
Tsuiku Parallel (usually coupled) lines in verse that clarify meaning increasing the expressive power.
Uta Poem (in tanka or nagauta form ).
Utaawase Tanka composition contest.
Utagokoro (shishin) A wish to compose poems.
Waka Japanese song. Stands for all forms of court songs, in contrast to folk song kayo and Chinese verse kanshi; very often used as a synonym for tanka.
Yu:bi Refinement, elegance. One of the aware categories.
Yu:gen Mysteriousness, depth. Ancient aesthetic category closely related to mono-no-aware.