Renga

Renga (連歌) is a form of Japanese collaborative poetry. A Renga consists of at least three ku (句 translates to stanzas in English), often many more. The opening stanza of the Renga chain (the hokku), later became the basis for the modern Haiku style of poetry.

History

The earliest Renga recorded is in Manyoshu where Otomo no Yakamochi and a Buddhist nun (Ama 尼) made and exchanged 5-7-5 syllable count and 7-7 syllable count. Around the time when Shin-kokin-wakashu was published, Renga style of poet is finally established as a distinct poetical style. This original style of Renga, Hyakuinrenga (百韻連歌) used only Utakotoba in making each 100 5-7-5 and 7-7 syllable and finished with 9-9 syllable count. At this time, poets considered the use of Utakotoba as the essence of creating a perfect world of Waka and considered the use of any other words to be a deviation.

Related Topics:
Manyoshu - Otomo no Yakamochi - Shin-kokin-wakashu - Utakotoba - Waka

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Many rules or Shikimoku (式目) were formalized in Kamakura period and Muromachi Period to prevent two different people from making similar syllables and to lay down general rules of Renga. Renga was a popular form of poetry even in the confusion of Azuchi-Momoyama Period. Yet by the end of this era, the Shikimoku had become too complicated and systematic that it clogged the active imagination that had been a part of Renga's appeal. During the medieval and Edo periods Renga was a part of necessary cultural knowledge in the high society.

Related Topics:
Kamakura period - Muromachi Period - Azuchi-Momoyama Period

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In the Edo period, as more and more ordinary citizens became familiar with Renga, Shikimoku were greatly simplified. The number of syllable was reduced to 36, and commonly spoken words as well as slangs and Kango lit. Chinese words were allowed to be used. With the inclusion of these words, Renga was able to express humor and wit. This style of Renga is called Haikai no Renga or simply Haikai (俳諧の連歌) and Matsuo Basho is known as the greatest Haikai poet.

Related Topics:
Edo period - Kango - Matsuo Basho

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The first verse of the Renga chain, the Hokku, is the forebear of the modern Haiku. Haiku was modernized in the Meiji period by the great Japanese poet and critic Masaoka Shiki. Haiku means "verbally comical phrase;" it was an echo of haikai-renga (comical renga).

Related Topics:
Haiku - Meiji - Masaoka Shiki

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For almost 700 years, Renga was a popular poetry but its popularity was greatly diminished in Meiji period. Masaoka Shiki claimed that "(Renga is) not fit as a modern Literature" ("文学に非ず"). The Renga's appeal of working in group to making a work was not compatible with the European style of poetry where a single poet write the entire verses.

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Recently, with the use of internet becoming popular, Renga is becoming popular again. People from anywhere at anytime can contribute a work without taking the expense of gathering. Events of Renga where poets can contribute with their mobile phones had been held.

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