tanka

[ tahng-kuh ]

noun

, Prosody.

, plural tan·kas, tan·ka.

1. a Japanese poem consisting of 31 syllables in 5 lines, with 5 syllables in the first and third lines and 7 in the others.

tanka

/ ˈtɑːŋkə /

noun

1. a Japanese verse form consisting of five lines, the first and third having five syllables, the others seven

Word History and Origins

Origin of tanka¹

1915–20; < Japanese < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese duǎn short + gē song; renga

Word History and Origins

Origin of tanka¹

C19: from Japanese, from tan short + ka verse

Example Sentences

Ah, it is only a blue and yellow tanka, but it reminds me of the golden period of our fame and victories.

From Project Gutenberg

The flute called Cho-tanka (big pith) is of two varieties—one made of sumac, the pith of which is punched out.

From Project Gutenberg

Their life—the life of all assembled in the valley of the Waktan Tanka—was blissful and happy beyond measure.

From Project Gutenberg

We rode on between low mountains, leaving Tanka-gompa on our left.

From Project Gutenberg

Typical of this kind of painting are the pictures of Tanka burning the Image.

From Project Gutenberg