Episode Details

✨ Today we’re diving into the world of Fujiwara no Teika (1162–1241) — one of Japan’s most influential poets, teachers, and literary critics. If you’re curious about tanka poetry, this is a perfect place to start.

In this podcast we’ll explore:

• Teika’s ten styles of waka and why they still matter
• His core ideal of ushin (“conviction of feeling”)
• The four fundamental styles every poet should try and 6 to have a go at once they are mastered

Along the way, I’ll share classic examples of waka and tanka, plus some modern tanka poems to show how Teika’s ideas resonate today.

📺 Don’t miss the latest video prompt, edited this month by the brilliant Neena Singh — a chance to spark your own writing and join in the conversation.

🔗 Check the show notes for sources, translations, and links to related podcasts. poetrypea.com

If you enjoy learning about Japanese poetry, tanka, haiku, and poetics, do give this video a like, leave a comment with your favourite poem or style, and subscribe for more deep dives into poetry and prompts every week.

show notes