Thursday, July 23, 2020

Senryū Girl

Humor is a reminder that no matter how high the throne one sits on, one sits on one's bottom.
~Taki


What is senryū?
Senryū is a Japanese form of short poetry similar to haiku in construction: three lines with 17 or fewer morae (or on) in total. However, senryū tend to be about human foibles while haiku tend to be about nature, and senryū are often cynical or darkly humorous while haiku are more serious. Unlike haiku, senryū do not include a kireji or verbal caesura (cutting word), and do not generally include a kigo, or seasonal word. [Akita International Haiku Network]
Senryū Girl is an anime show about a girl who just communicates through senryū:

Senryu Girl Ep. 1 from Yandere Fangirl on Vimeo.

The story focuses on the relationship between Nanako Yukishiro, a girl who only communicates through senryū written on tanzaku, and Eiji Busujima, an ex-delinquent who attempts to write his own senryū.
Some examples of senryū from the Haiku Society of America:
back pain
again I pick up
unsaid words

Kyle D. Craig
*********
summer concert
fanning myself faster
during the scherzo

Donna Claire Gallagher
*********
age spots
the last banana
in the bunch

Tom Painting, Atlanta, GA
*********

Reflections on the Teche has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Margaret!

10 comments:

Linda Mitchell said...

oooh, I love this post. I'm embarassed to say that I never really put Senyru Girl together with Senyrun. Animae is not my thing--so I let the kids that are into it be the experts. So, my knowledge is pretty small. But, this is such a neat entrance into poetry! Thanks! I need to read some Senyru Girl and see if I can connect more to some of my students.

Mary Lee said...

Fun! This reminds me of the main characters in THE HONEST TRUTH who communicate via haiku (or at least 5-7-5 writing...probably more like senyru...)

Janice Scully said...

Yes, I too think it seems a great entry into poetry for a young person. And the idea that it might be easier for someone to express themselves in a meaningful way through Senyru interests me. Great post.

Margaret Simon said...

You never cease to amaze me with the things you post. Thanks for the introduction to Senyru Girl and this form.

laurasalas said...

I adore the banana one! Thanks, Tabatha :>)

author amok said...

The banana senryu -- sadly, I can relate. My 20-year-old watches anime. Can't wait to ask if they've seen this show.

Fran Haley said...

Priceless opening quote, Tabatha! Reminds me of a saying I heard a lot as a child: "Get off your high horse." Hmmm. Certainly there's poem-fodder in it... I love this lesson on senryu and its focus on human foibles. Heaven knows there's no shortage of that... we might as well own it poetically. And, I am a little haunted by "back pain" and picking up "unsaid words" - much sad truth lies therein. What a fun sun-and-shadow offering you've given us.

Molly Hogan said...

What a great post, Tabatha! I love that I always learn something when I visit your blog. The senryu you shared are great mentors--that first one zings and I also especially like the banana one. You've inspired me to play around with the form--at least in the privacy of my notebook :)

Michelle Kogan said...

Thanks for sharing Senryū Girl Tabatha. Ilike the banana senryu too! You would think responding in brevity would make you contemplate a bit more, but unfortunately that's rarely the case with one who should be leading us…

Bridget Magee said...

I love your Senryu post, Tabatha! Thanks for the introduction to Senryu Girl - my 16 y/o will love it. I, too, unfortunately can relate to the spotted banana poem, but I like to remind myself that I'm the sweet one in the bunch. Ha! ;)