Choka
The most intricate Japanese Poetry form is the Choka, or Long Poem.
The early form consisted of a series of Katuata joined
together. This gives a choice of form structures of ..... 5 - 7 - 7 - 5 - 7 -
7.. etc, or .. 5 - 7 - 5 - 5 - 7 - 5.. etc.
The Choka could be any total line length and indeed many
exceeded 100 lines.
Looking at this, it is easy to see why Poetic Historians
believe the Katuata is the original basic unit of Japanese poetry using either
the 17 or 19 unit onji.
Another interpretation -
Choka
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Type:
|
Structure,
Metrical Requirement, Simple
|
|
Description:
|
The
choka is a Japanese form of unrhymed alternating five and seven syllable
lines that ends with an extra seven syllable line. It can be any odd number
of lines.
|
|
Origin:
|
Japanese
|
|
Schematic:
|
A
nine-line choka would be:
xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx |
Pasted
from <http://www.poetrybase.info/forms/000/41.shtml>
The choka (長歌 long poem) was the epic, story telling form of Japanese
poetry from the 1st to the 13th century, known as the Waka period. Storytelling
was rare in the Japanese language during the Waka period although it is found
in the Man'yôshû and even the Kokinshú. Most often the Japanese poet
would write epics in classical Chinese. Still, the occasional poet with a story
to tell would tackle the choka, the earliest of which can be traced back to the
1st century. It describes a battle and is 149 lines long.
Originally chokas
were sung, but not in the Western sense of being sung. The oral tradition of
the choka was to recite the words in a high pitch.
I always check this site for confirmation when cross-checking forms Judi Van Groder has done a remarkable job for PMO.
Choka
|
Type:
|
Structure,
Metrical Requirement, Simple
|
|
Description:
|
The
choka is a Japanese form of unrhymed alternating five and seven syllable
lines that ends with an extra seven syllable line. It can be any odd number
of lines.
|
|
Origin:
|
Japanese
|
|
Schematic:
|
A
nine-line choka would be:
xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx |
Pasted
from <http://www.poetrybase.info/forms/000/41.shtml>
Definition
The most
intricate Japanese Poetry form is the Choka, or Long Poem.
The early
form consisted of a series of Katuata joined together. This gives a choice of
form structures of ..... 5 - 7 - 7 - 5 - 7 - 7.. etc, or .. 5 - 7 - 5 - 5 - 7 -
5.. etc.
Example
The
Moth
there is
no freedom
escaping
from my cocoon
I must
seek you once again
I am
drawn to you
like a
moth to a candle
circling
nearer and nearer
the
deadly flame calls
now my
wings are scorched
why must
my nature be so?
Pasted
from <http://www.poetrysoup.com/forms_of_poetry/C#Choka>
SO, Restated:
Origin: : Japanese
The form is syllabic : 5/7/7/5/7/7 or 5/7/5/5/7/5
Traditional style : Stanzas consisting of any number of the above structures (called Katuata)
or alternaively : Alternating five and seven syllable lines that end with an extra 7 syllable line.
or alternaively : Alternating five and seven syllable lines that end with an extra 7 syllable line.
Unrhymed.
Meant for longer poems.
I have written a one using the Katuata style.
Poem Sample
Above the Sun (choka) Katuata Version
setting out with you
in late summer's
rising sun
hastens Honchu's
heat
yet our packs hold
coats
which hold
nourishment for us
for cold nights
ahead.
many foreigners
pass and are passed
as we climb
the holy mountain;
all are of like
mind-
to climb to Mount
Fuji's peak
for spiritual joy.
We begin our last
ascent early in the
night-
cold now, velvet sky
dims, bows to
morning;
we watch awed from
above the
rising of the sun.
© Lawrencealot -
November 23,2013
Visual Templates.
(with Thanks to Judi, I used her poem to depict the alternating line version)
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