National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Japanese Poetry Tanka? You're Welcome
A poem "which expresses a personal response to nature," the tanka is a form of Japanese writing very similar to the haiku. This lesson plan is a great extension to any study or exploration of Japanese art, culture, and writing. Included...
Columbia University
Asia for Educators: What Is a Waka?
This large, wonderful site includes so much information on Asia that it is hard to showcase each element. It is easiest to enter Waka into the keyword box in order to access all the provided information. You will find an essay that...
Other
Univ. Of Virginia: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu: 100 Poems by 100 Poets
By clicking through this site, the viewer may see these 100 poems in English, in Japanese characters or in Japanese (using the English alphabet). Some explanation of the poems' sources is also given.
Other
Essays and Reviews: Mourning for Hokujurosen: Poem by Yosa Buson
This poem is followed by a brief commentary. The writer explains images in the poem, and some of Buson's philosophical beliefs which affected the poem.
University of Oregon
University of Oregon: Diamante Poems
Do you know how to write a diamante poem? Check out this site to learn how to accomplish this task. This site features a lesson plan for writing poetry.
Other
Humanistic Texts: Selected Poetry of Hitomaro
The text to poetry written by Kakinomoto Hitomaro is found here.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Japanese Poetry Haikus, Tankas, and Lanturnes
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart explains the differences between Haiku, Tanka, and Lanturne poetry. Students will be able to create their own poems by using the steps given to write each poem. Students will also review...
Other
History of Haiku: Basho Matsuo
This site describes Basho's writing style, including his sense of humor. It also provides several examples of his poetry.
Charles I. Kelly and Lawrence E. Kelly
Many Things for Esl Japanese Version
This is the Japanese version of the well-known Interesting Things for ESL site (the authors are professors teaching in Japan). The Japanese site has many of the same features as the English Only version in fact, it usually goes to the...
Other
Great Japanese Poets: Kakinomoto Hitomaro
This site talks about Kakinomoto Hitomaro and has links to many other great Japanese poets.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Villainizing Japanese Americans During the Wwii Era
Analyze primary sources in the media gallery and create an illustrated poem to learn how Japanese Americans were impacted by anti-Chinese exclusion policies of the 1800s, and why it escalated during World War II. As a result, Americans...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Twenty Classical Works
From "A Reader's Guide of Japanese Literature" at the University of Virginia comes this list of twenty important pieces of classical Japanese literature, including author(when known), genre and date. It offers links to pieces available...
Other
Poem #208 From Manyoushuu
This site has a translation of a poem by an anonymous poet in the work.
Other
Poem #352 From Manyoushuu
This site has a translation of a poem by Sami Mansei in the Man'yoshu.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Kirjasto: Kobayashi Issa
This site provides both biographical information and some analysis of Issa's work. Links to significant names.
Other
The Poem Tree: X. J. Kennedy
The Poem Tree, an anthology of metered poetry, provides a brief biographical note about Kennedy, and links to the text of some of his works.
PBS
Pbs Parents: Creativity Haiku
Using this activity students can test their understanding of language and poetry by creating a Haiku using the word tiles in the box. Teachers and parents check out the interact, understand and expand buttons for more activities.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Oceans: A Sensory Haiku
In this lesson plan, students use the ocean and their five senses as inspirations to create their own unique haikus. Lesson provides assessment criteria and a list of sources.
![Abcteach: How to Haiku [Pdf] Unknown Type](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/117950-6b875e72e2467cd18a3c5b5fde96f9b1.jpg?1661360823 "Abcteach: How to Haiku [Pdf] Unknown Type")
abcteach
Abcteach: How to Haiku [Pdf]
[Free Registration/Login Required] Wonderful printable haiku form that explains how to write one and leaves room for students to write their own.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Traditional Haiku [Pdf]
A summary for writing a traditional haiku is provided with examples.
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Mythology Hangman
Test your knowledge of world mythology by playing Mythology Hangman, a Java applet and website that features images, maps, and descriptions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. It is a great resource to supplement mythology...
Yale University
E.e. Cummings and Gertrude Stein
This site, maintained by Yale's Rare Book and Manuscript Library, discusses the influence of Chinese and Japanese art on Cummings' poems and paintings. Offers one example of each along with brief commentary.