Tanka is an ancient form of Japanese poetry dating back to the 1300s. Tanka poems typically focus on themes of nature, love, and seasons. They follow a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure over five lines to capture a moment or feeling. Examples show tanka being used to describe scenes involving autumn leaves, changing seasons, and mountain landscapes.

1. Tanka Poems

2. What is a Tanka Poem?
Tanka is the oldest form of japanese poetry.
Tanka Poems are similar to Haiku’s
Tanka was originally a one line poem with 31
syllables
Tanka Poems are usually about nature, love
and seasons
Shows a complete picture of a event or mood
It was 1300’s most important form of
japanese poetry

3. What are it’s Characteristics?
Line one 5 syllables
Line two 7 syllables
Line three 5 syllables
Line four 7 syllables
Line five 7 syllables

4. Examples Of Tanka
Pretty colored trees
Wind blowing on my face That are orange, red and
making my cheeks rosy red yellow
it’s biting my nose in the Autumn air
and chilling through all my bones an old barn by the water
it is pushing me along. with a white fence around
The leaves change color it.
when the fall winds start
to blow,
yellow, orange and brown
are colors of fall leaves
slowly falling from the
trees.

5. MY Tanka Poem
Mountains
Up in the mountains
there are trees and sometimes snow
up there it’s foggy
but usally it’s sunny
mother nature is the best

6. The End