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New Game

 

Game #7

 

excerpted from: Tin Dippers, 1999

a summer kasen renku by
Paul MacNeil, Ferris Gilli, A.C. Missias

 

 

 

overnight
each sealed garbage can
raided by raccoons                  
        15) fg

 

gunfire punctuates
the Lone Ranger rerun            
        16) pwm

 

Assignment:

 

The 17th stanza is traditionally the place of the first "blossom" topic. It is three lines and always a spring verse. The Japanese tradition of the renga, before the era of Basho (the haikai no renga development known today as renku), considered plum or the more usual cherry blossoms as the most fit subjects for stylized blossom references. This is the place for strong spring meaning -- the promise of life and renewal -- hence the use of temporary beauty that results, with time, in fruit.  Many writers and players of renku in cultures and geographies other than Japan, use symbols other than cherry. Perhaps the notion of a fruiting tree that blooms, or even other strong harbingers of spring, can be used in this exercise. In any case, flowers should not be hothouse or garden flowers for the blossom verse. You may consider any of several aspects of a truly spring blossom such as bud, petals, fallen or falling petals, fragrance, etc.

 

In the next Review, I'll reveal acm's stanza #17

 

Note: The fictional "Lone Ranger" was a radio and television series, later a film.  Set in the "wild west" of the USA in the 19th Century, a masked man and his faithful Indian (Native American) companion fought evil, etc. The link to #15 was indeed the mask that both raccoons and "that masked stranger who left a silver bullet" wear.  

Please send your one verse to me at: 

pwm.shippond@worldnet.att.net

by the deadline: May 30, 2002  
titled WHReview, renku game #7.

also identify within the e-mail as for WHR renku, game #7. In the next World Haiku Review we shall see how Kyorai followed his Master. If you have access to this actual renku  . . .  no peeking! It is not a contest. I shall try to discuss all or most of the entries next time. Have fun.

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Game #8

 

The Summer Moon, 1690

a summer kasen by

Boncho, Basho, and Kyorai

trans: Makoto Ueda

 

 

above a town

filled with the odor of things,

the summer moon

 

.....Boncho, 1.) hokku, summer

 

"It's hot!" "It's hot!"

murmurs are heard in the front yards

 

.....Basho, 2.) wakiku, summer

 

Assignment:

To follow Master Basho with a 3-line verse. Summer is preferred, but as the "daisan" or 3rd verse is supposed to by tradition, make sure a large shift occurs. The time and place of the first two verses are close and are about people -- town and houses at night. Shift from these things away from primary human emphases, towards the outdoors. This verse does not have to be a summer verse. But, if not, it should have no season.

 

I shall reveal the actual 3rd verse by the disciple Kyorai in the next Issue of the Review. For those with good libraries, no peeking at the actual verse...this is not a contest.

Your own solutions will be published and I hope to discuss most of them with you.  Please submit your stanza to me, Paul MacNeil at:

pwm.shippond@worldnet.att.net 

by the deadline: May 30, 2002  
titled: WHReview, renku game #8.

Thank you for playing! On the next four pages are complete renku for you to enjoy. Please feel free to submit your own group’s renku to me as Editor. I may ask for changes and not all will necessarily be accepted. This part of the renku section of WHReview functions just as any edited journal. Please do not send any material that is currently pending before any other editor or contest. I do accept previously published work, but it should have completed its “ordinary run” with that other publication. 

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NOTICE for Submissions

All of the renku and renku selections shown here are by permission of the authors who retain full copyright. Your submission of original verses to FOLLOW THIS! and/or submission of your complete renku to the Renku Editor expresses your permission for the World Haiku Review to publish your verses if accepted. Not all submissions will be published. One does not need to be a member of WHC to submit to the reader participation renku games

Information about the mailing lists of WHC may be found at the WHC website:

http://www.worldhaikuclub.org

 

Next Read Renku, Children's Laughter Christopher Herold & Carol O'Dell

 

 

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