Haiku vs. Tanka — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Haiku is a three-line Japanese poem with 17 syllables, traditionally focusing on nature. Tanka is a five-line Japanese poem with 31 syllables, often exploring personal emotions.
Difference Between Haiku and Tanka
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that traditionally captures a moment in nature. It consists of three lines with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5. The focus is often on the fleeting beauty of the natural world.
Tanka, also originating from Japan, is a longer form of poetry. It has five lines with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5-7-7. Tanka poems often delve into personal emotions and human experiences.
While haiku is renowned for its brevity and ability to evoke powerful imagery in just a few words, tanka provides more space for expression and exploration of themes, especially emotional and personal ones.
Tanka is considered the older form of the two and has influenced the development of haiku. However, haiku has gained international popularity for its concise and poignant style.
Both haiku and tanka follow strict syllabic rules, but tanka allows for a broader range of expression due to its additional two lines.
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Comparison Chart
Line Count
Three lines
Five lines
Syllable Structure
5-7-5
5-7-5-7-7
Focus
Nature, seasonal imagery
Personal emotions, human experiences
Origin
Evolved from traditional Japanese forms
Older form, influenced haiku's development
International Popularity
Highly popular worldwide
Less known internationally, more in Japan
Compare with Definitions
Haiku
A short Japanese poem emphasizing simplicity and intensity.
An old silent pond... / A frog jumps into the pond— / Splash! Silence again.
Tanka
A five-line Japanese poem exploring emotions and experiences.
The light flickers / In the deepening twilight; / My heart flickers too, / Touched by the wind’s fingers / As darkness envelops all.
Haiku
A three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable structure.
Over the wintry / Forest, winds howl in rage / With no leaves to blow.
Tanka
A poetic form allowing for personal expression and lyrical beauty.
In this quiet room / Shadows dance with the candlelight / My thoughts turn to you / Across the miles that part us / Your smile still warms my heart.
Haiku
A traditional Japanese verse form, often with a seasonal reference.
First autumn morning / the mirror I stare into / shows my father's face.
Tanka
A longer form of traditional Japanese poetry with a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.
As the first snow falls, / Covering the autumn leaves, / My heart too is blanketed / In cold, yet beneath / Spring dreams quietly await.
Haiku
A poetic form capturing the essence of a moment in nature.
The light of a candle / Is transferred to another candle— / Spring twilight.
Tanka
A versatile and expressive Japanese verse form.
The cherry blossoms / Drift past my open window / On a breeze of sighs / Memories of your soft touch / Still linger in the spring air.
Haiku
A concise poem focusing on imagery and sensory experience.
Winter seclusion - / Listening, that evening, / To the rain in the mountain.
Tanka
A traditional form of Japanese poetry, often reflective and intimate.
The moonlit garden / Echoes with silent whispers / Of lovers long gone / Yet their tales of passion / Bloom eternal in the stars.
Haiku
Haiku (俳句, listen ) is a type of short form poetry originally from Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku consist of three phrases that contain a kireji, or "cutting word", 17 on (a type of Japanese phoneme) in a 5, 7, 5 pattern, and a kigo, or seasonal reference.
Tanka
Tanka (短歌, "short poem") is a genre of classical Japanese poetry and one of the major genres of Japanese literature.
Haiku
A Japanese lyric verse form having three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five morae, traditionally invoking an aspect of nature or the seasons.
Tanka
A member of a people inhabiting coastal areas in China, traditionally living on small boats clustered in colonies. Also called Tan.
Haiku
A verse form in another language modeled on the Japanese haiku, typically counting syllables instead of morae.
Tanka
A form of Japanese verse in five lines of 5, 7, 5, 7, and 7 morae.
Haiku
A poem written in this form.
Tanka
Alternative form of thangka
Haiku
A Japanese poem in three lines, the first and last consisting of five morae, and the second consisting of seven morae, usually with an emphasis on the season or a naturalistic theme.
Tanka
Alternative form of Tanka
Haiku
A three-line poem in any language, with five syllables in the first and last lines and seven syllables in the second, usually with an emphasis on the season or a naturalistic theme.
Haiku, a poem
Five beats, then seven, then five
Ends as it began.
Tanka
A kind of boat used in Guangdong, about 25 feet long and often rowed by Tanka women; junk.
Haiku
An epigrammatic Japanese verse form of three short lines
Tanka
(historical) A coin and unit of currency of varying value, formerly used in parts of India and Central Asia.
Tanka
A kind of boat used in Canton. It is about 25 feet long and is often rowed by women. Called also tankia.
Tanka
A form of Japanese poetry; the 1st and 3rd lines have five syllables and the 2nd, 4th, and 5th have seven syllables
Tanka
A Tibetan religious painting on fabric
Common Curiosities
Are there specific themes exclusive to haiku or tanka?
Haiku traditionally emphasizes nature and seasons, while tanka is broader, often touching on personal emotions.
Is tanka an older form of poetry than haiku?
Yes, tanka is the older form and has influenced the development of haiku.
What is the main structural difference between haiku and tanka?
Haiku consists of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure, while tanka has five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.
Are haiku and tanka only about nature?
Haiku often focuses on nature, while tanka is more flexible, exploring emotions and personal experiences.
Can both haiku and tanka have seasonal references?
Yes, both can include seasonal imagery, but it's more common and traditional in haiku.
Is haiku more popular internationally than tanka?
Yes, haiku has gained more international popularity compared to tanka.
Can haiku or tanka tell a story?
While both are brief, tanka’s longer form allows for more storytelling potential.
Are haiku and tanka written in languages other than Japanese?
Yes, both forms have been adapted into many languages, including English.
Are these forms taught in schools?
Yes, haiku and tanka are often taught in literature and creative writing classes worldwide.
Do both forms require a specific syllable count?
Yes, both adhere to specific syllable counts: 17 for haiku (5-7-5) and 31 for tanka (5-7-5-7-7).
Can haiku or tanka include metaphors?
Yes, both forms can use metaphors, but they are more commonly and subtly used in haiku.
Is there a difference in tone between haiku and tanka?
Haiku often has a contemplative or observational tone, while tanka can be more reflective and emotive.
Can anyone write haiku or tanka, or does it require special training?
Anyone can write them, but understanding their traditional elements and cultural significance can enhance the writing.
Can haiku or tanka be humorous?
While traditionally not common, contemporary haiku and tanka can have humorous elements.
Is it necessary to have a seasonal word in haiku?
Traditionally, yes, haiku often includes a seasonal word (kigo), but modern haiku sometimes deviates from this.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
