Tanka is a short lyric poem with syllables of five, seven, five, seven and seven. It is longer than haiku by the last two syllables.

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Originally it was one of the kinds of Waka poetry. And Tanka had already been completed as a form of Japanese poetry since the middle of the 7th century. “Manyoshuu” edited by Otomo no Yakamochi around 770-780 is famous as the oldest song collection in Japan and as the origin of Tanka. And it contains about 4,500 poems by the Emperors, famous poets, and even common people.

In the Heian Period, “Kokin wakashu” which is the first original Japanese imperial writings collection, “Shin-Kokin wakashu” was edited in the Kamakura period, the culture of Tanka reached the peak.

All nobleman should understand Tanka poetry, but in the Middle Ages, they lost their power and haiku became popular. There aren’t so many people compose the poems. However, in the Meiji Period Tanka saw the light of the sun. In addition, the poet s such as Masaoka Shiki (also the poet of haiku) and Yosano Akiko reconstructed the traditional poetry. Still today it keeps strong popularity.