Poetry

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Japanese poetry uses artistic brevity, focuses upon the beauties of nature, and illustrates the harmony that exists between nature and mankind. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is a Waka written by an anonymous poet, circa 884-946:

Are they not like
This fleeting world?
Cherry blossoms:
No sooner do they flower
Than they fall

Written over one thousand years ago, this poem has a quality of timelessness and universal appeal ~ a poem that can be appreciated on many levels by all cultures. Here a metaphorical observation which reflects human experience "in tune" with nature, and hence, producing a Zen-like quality that is most poetic. Such are the ancient elements that remain in all the many different forms of Japanese poetry today.

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