waka

American  

[wah-kuh] / ˈwɑ kə /

noun

plural

waka, wakas

1. Prosody. tanka.

2. poetry written in Japanese, as distinct from poetry written in Chinese by a Japanese writer, or poetry in other languages.

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waka British  

/ ˈwɔːkə /

noun

1. a Māori canoe, usually made from a tree trunk

2. a tribal group claiming descent from the first Māori settlers in New Zealand

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Etymology

Origin of waka

1875–80; < Japanese: literally, Japanese song < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese hé harmony (as a euphemistic reading of the character for wō dwarf, an ancient Chinese designation for the Japanese ) + gē song

Example Sentences

Aiko’s poem depicted her fascination with the waka form, which she has studied at Gakushuin University.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2024

They are due to visit Turangawaewae Marae, the home of the Kingitanga or Maori monarchs, where they will view a waka armada of canoes on the country's longest river, the Waikato, on the North Island.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2015

For centuries, the only accepted way to write poetry in Japanese was waka, that is, within the established traditions of tanka and haiku.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 18, 2015

In Wellington, the 2007 World Cup champions, South Africa, walked to the powhiri from the team’s hotel along the waterfront, escorted by a waka, a Maori canoe.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2011

When I waka up I no finda him.

From The Radio Boys at Mountain Pass The Midnight Call for Assistance by Chapman, Allen