Rasika: Week 1
Hi, everyone,
I’m Kala Ramesh here, from India.
Introducing Rasika – the renku that’s even shorter than junicho!
Let’s start with a sample poem:
The Heart of an Onion
— Rasika, a renku of 8 verses.
a journey
to the heart of an onion …
anticlimax
the steady rhythm
on the chopping board
strains of sitar
and my hand in yours
this balmy night
children having left
we recall old jokes
setting moon
trapped in a dewdrop
evanesces
I am
what I make of dreams
magically
daffodils push through
the thawing earth
the horizon rises
on a frothy wave
Anitha Varma, Kerala, India – vs : 1.3 & 5
Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy, Birmingham, United Kingdom – vs: 2 & 7
Created and led by Kala Ramesh, Pune, India – vs: 4, 6 & 8
Started on 1st December 2014 and completed, 8th December, 2014
* * *
I’ll be your sabaki for this renku at the Haiku Foundation that we begin today. Thanks to Jim Kacian and John Stevenson for giving me this opportunity. This will be my second stint here as a sabaki. I’ve learned the art of renku from Norman Darlington, Moira Richards, John Carley and Eiko Yachimoto. I’ve been writing renku from 2005 and I’ve been a sabaki of many renku and was the guest renku editor at A Hundred Gourds 5:2.
Renku or renga (collaborative poetry) is a genre of Japanese short forms of poetry. Two of the most famous masters of renga were the Buddhist priest Sogi (1421–1502) and Master Basho (1644–1694). Renga/renku was one of the most important literary arts in pre-modern Japan.
When teaching renku to beginners in schools and colleges or during haiku festivals that we have in India, I felt the shortest renku, junicho was a wee bit too long, for all we can spare for renku is around 2 hours and John Carley’s Yotsumono (of just 4 verses) is surely not for beginners who need to learn the nuances when going on a renku journey.
Necessity is the mother of inventions — I’ve been thinking for some time now about this problem when teaching renku to beginners and I hit upon a new form of renku! Thus, my version is based on the need to have a shorter version of renku, without sacrificing on the aesthetics of this 400 year-old art form that has come to us from Master Basho’s time— the shofu-style of renku which is essentially anti-thematic.
“Rasa” means the emotional essence in Indian aesthetics. “Rasika” is one who enjoys the rasa. So I wish to call this short 8-verse renku “Rasika”.
Rasika has 8 verses set as in traditional junicho style. The jo-ha-kyu * are not clearly demarcated. The number of kaishi (writing sheets) is just one. I’m keeping this renku very flexible regarding the inclusion of the usual 4 seasons in renku, meaning spring, summer, autumn and winter. Since we do not have the space and the number of verses to include all the four seasons, we can pick and choose just 2 or 3. It has the conventional moon and blossom verse and of course the “love verses’ without which a renku seems incomplete.
Important to note: The link and shift is strong, and the shifts can be wide, since it is not a 36 verse structure of Kasen, which can afford to have small shifts. So shall we say, to coin a new phrase, we’ll be following – link and leap!
As often practiced:
Long verses will be of 3 lines (about 14 sound structures or syllables)
Short verses will be of 2 lines (about 11 sound structures or syllables counts)
A Schema for this Rasika renku:
- long – hokku | au mn*
- short – wakiku | ns*
- long – daisan | wi*
- short – ns
- long – end su/lv (rainy season)
- short – ns/lv
- long | sp bl *
- ageku | ns *
The asterisks show the important verses which remain constant in all renku.
ns: no season
au mn: autumn moon
wi: winter
su: summer
lv: love
sp: spring
bl: blossom
1. Long – hokku | au mn
Open to everyone. A three line verse. A regular hokku (our contemporary haiku), with a good cut (kire). A moon verse. Can be a verse with or without human presence. Around 14 syllables. I would like not more than 3 candidates per poet and please post them by Sunday night, 3rd October.
I’m exciting about being your sabaki for this renku.
Hope all the renkujin participating here, have a whale of a time writing, critiquing and giving constructive feedback, and we sail along smoothly, together, to reach the other bank!
yours in renku,
_kala
**
Notes:
1. In renku, the hokku generally talks about the current season and it’s also celebratory! Remember, now we have the internet to write collaborative verses, in those days renku was written when poets gathered for a meet and that called for celebrations!
- jo-ha-kyu *
jo: introduction.
ha: expansion
kyu: rapid close.
The notes for ‘Rasika’ and a sample Rasika are taken from A Hundred Gourds 4:2 March 2015. My sincerest thanks to Lorin Ford and William Sorlien for all the ‘Rasika’ renku published in the subsequent issues of AHG, written by the undergraduates of Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Pune.
The Haiku Foundation reminds you that participation in our offerings assumes respectful and appropriate behavior from all parties. Please see our Code of Conduct policy https://thehaikufoundation.org/about-thf/policies/#code-of-conduct
This Post Has 84 Comments
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Thanks for all your lovely offers.
I have made my choice and the call for wakiku will be up on Thursday.
Mona and Nani, your verses were not considered because you submitted them late.
try to participate for the 2nd verse – wakiku – which should be up on Thursdays.
The window for submission closes on Sunday 10 Oct.
Be on time!!
Here are my offerings!
harvest moon
the clouds play
spoilsport
forest walk
playing with the shadows
midnight moon
rose moon
my daughter asks for
strawberry jam
full moon
shine your sari
is sharing
*****
smile widely
under the moonlight
teacher’s pen
***
with passion
cross the bridge
full moon …
Nani Mariani
05-10-21
Dear Kala,
Thank you for the knowledge ” Rasika ” . Very challenging although still confused and lame, will try, thank you
❤️
Dear Kala,
What a unique & beautiful introduction to “rasika”. Am reminded of Krishna and the Gopis.
Here are my offerings:
moon reflection
the notes of the flute
rise and fall in waves
***
moonlight weaves
the scent of jasmine
in silver hair
***
full moon
are you alone too
this starless night
***
Looking forward to this interesting journey with you.
Warm regards,
Neena
Neena, These are beautiful!
Thanks dear Sarah for your sweet appreciation! 🙏🤗
daylight moon
the fading remains
of a dream
a wisp of smoke
curls the moonlight . . .
mice move into the house
*
autumn moon . . .
we promise to speak only
in the present tense
*
a river of words
glitters under the moon
. . . incoming tide
i love the present tense verse, Jonathan
Thank you, Michelle.
Welcome, Kala, and thank you!
*
the clink of glasses
on a dark porch…
but for the moon
*
music and laughter
under a covered porch –
and the moon
Hello Kala,
So very happy to be learning about Rasika from you and to participate with the other participants as we co-create this piece!
moon-viewing
our collective sighs
the only sound
Welcome, Kala! Thanks for your fine introduction .
moon and wind-
the smell of earth
after the rain
scent
of cut grass-
sickle of the moon
crescent moon-
a barefoot gypsy
reads the future
a barefoot gypsy : female
Hi Kala! Here are my verses:
.
a dream etched
on your forehead. . .
crescent moon
.
.
day before
the full moon
fake howls
.
.
I see you
looking at the moon
first date
.
Hi Kali
This is my first Rasika adventure. Thanks for your informative intro!
full moon in Covid—
she holds up her newborn
at the hospital window
.
Hunter’s Moon—
his coin enters the holy well
with a prayer
.
full moon
by the second verse, chaos. . .
becomes harmony
.
a
Hello Kala
Looking forward to the Rasila!!
1.
harvest moon
rasika slowly
taking shape
2.
full moon
sparkle of her bindi
between eyes
Sorry for the typo,kala ..
It’s Rasika !
new moon
holding the old moon…
every time
Hi Kala. This is my first time so I’m not really sure. But here’s an attempt. Good to read about rasika.
hunter’s moon
catching the glass eye
of a mounted deer
My verses:
.
fragrant dusk–
a garden owl shares
the moon with me
.
autumn moon–
her small face
mirrors its glow
.
kojagiri–
soaking in moonlight
and good cheer
.
*Kojagiri is a harvest festival in India. The word itself means ‘one who is awake’.
.
hunter’s moon –
already in the wings
the departure
***
before sunrise
we start humming –
hunter’s moon
***
counterpoint
under the autumn moon
old school friends
Hi Kala,
A new adventure!
This is my first attempt at Rasika.
.
.
Welcome Kala – looking forward to learning about raisika!
.
.
the fluxong
of a million tripping photons
harvest moon
.
hymnpire
the harvest moon inhabits
the inner ear
.
tankards
of planckards
harvest moon
.
.
Just having a little fun with portmanteau 😉
new blemish
in reflection of moon
my bowl’s glide
**
bright moon
unravels plot of story
her yesteryears
**
autumn moon
high pitch of her song
her lost love
full moon
in one fluid stroke
we each draw an enso
Hi Kala! Great to see you here. Thank you for leading us once again.
My moon verses…
midnight departure
we choose the path
of moonlight
full moon
a friend bids us
a safe journey
lapping waves
we set sail in a boat
of moonlight
marion
Offer #2 :
the coolness
of harvest moon ..,
last tomatoes
( Double kigo?)
****
Offer #3
long-on fielder
latches on to the ball…
harvest moon
A slight edit to my 3rd verse:
caught
at long-on…
the harvest moon
Dear Kala, thank you for introducing Raiska. Helps novices like me. With my little understanding, attempting the below offers …
rowing through
the reflecting lake
of nearly ten thousand moons
awakening
half moon eyes
turning inward
daughter’s bite
making full moon
on an apple eye
Offer #3:
*
night fishing
casting deep
Into the blue moon
**
Thank you Kala
sorry–offer 3.1, if I may:
*
night fishing
casting into the depths
of the blue moon
*
So pretty! Nice edit too.
G’day and welcome Kala,
I have participated with you in published rasika back in 2015, and look forward to this latest rasika. Herewith, my offers:
the beguiling moon
leads us forward
into mystery
~
multicoloured leaves
highlighted by
tonight’s bright light
~
shadow puppets
dancing merrily
in the moonlight
~~~
your shadow puppets capture the celebratory mood, ty for sharing.
one wish . . .
the flutter of prayer flags
in the pale moonlight
Looking forward to this Rasika journey with all.
eyelet lace
the day moon caught
in a tree’s branch
rising moon
a hush descends
in the observation car
Kala, Thank you for this new Rasika experience.
our journey
to the other side
labyrinth moon
looming
above spent fields
harvest moon
goldfinches
make shadow puppets
gibbous moon
or:
goldfinches
twitter up shadow puppets
waxing moon
*
another blessing
for the spent fields
harvest moon
*
******* trying to make my offerings more celebratory in the spirit of Raiska
crescent moon
splitting the sky
with fireworks
a hint of moon
peeking through my shutters
the pumpkin man
moonshine
a million stars twinkle
in his shot glass
My verses :
.
moonbow
the comfort I get
in mother’s hug
.
all our promises
in a handful of water
another moon
.
moon rise
the hidden peaks
get a slow wash over
.
strangers drift
towards the shore . . .
full moon rising
It will be very interesting to follow the Rasika journey with my fellow poets and you, Kala.
…
Verse 1:
…
one thousand thousand stars
and a gold moon
we gaze skywards
…
Verse 2:
…
silvery moon
our empty barque
skims over the ocean
…
Verse 3:
…
we take our packs
and head south to the hills
the moon watches
2.
noting the sky
a limb-striped
moon
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
3.
the moon
and i~~flags
in the ocean
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
* these are replacing prior 2nd and 3rd offers
kindly, please note, my apologies, dear kala.
thank you in advance.
so to clarify:
here are my final three offers:
1.
harvest moon
a new ghost rises
in her child’s eyes
9.30.2021 by wendy © bialek
2.
noting the sky
a limb-striped
moon
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
3.
the moon
and i~~flags
in the ocean
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
rivers
the harvest moon’s
mirror
new moon
our flashlights probe
the corn maze
Just saw this post!
Here is my offering for long – hokku | au mn*
sadness seeks no company
midnight moon
sheds its light over the Pacific
or
sadness needs no company
midnight moon
shedding its light over the Pacific
a light light
behind the hills
the moon rises
giving itself
alike see and sky
the full moon
Thank you, Kala – the Rasika sounds delightful!
Here are my three offers _()_
.
bright moon
he sings his heart out
to dawn
.
getting high
on the harvest moon
her sparkly eyes
.
next full moon
the ruru too
foretells its beauty
.
moonlit hills . . .
mingling with her folksong
sound of the brook
in night skies
a thousand violet lights
and moon drunk trees
hunters moon
the wolfcub’s howl
an octave higher
*
sickle moon
the hollow in us
waiting to be filled
*
first stirrings
the kitten lifts a paw
to bat the moon
*
– “Maneki Neko” – the beckoning cat – luck and prosperity
Love the kitten verse!
i agree….betty, adorable kitten verse!
kashi & betty….et al
ps they even have a solar powered one!
The kitten verse is delightful!
Thank you, Betty, Wendy and Sanjuktaa.
Kashi, I like all three!
Welcome, Kala! Thanks for your fine introduction–very excited about this.
Two of my three:
*
opening credits
the moon colorized
by its aura
*
wind chimes
a spontaneous gatha
for the rising moon
*
Hi Kala
Looking forward to the rasika
autumn moon
the long distance driver
sings of home
staggering home
a happy drunk
serenades the moon
my third offer:
pinpointed moon
owl ears and
rotary cutter
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
my third offer revised to:
pinpointed moon
owl ears and
a rotary cutter
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
Noted your third edited version, Wendy.
Hello and welcome, Kala.
harvest home
moon light cascades
through the cupola
Welcome Kala always a delight interacting with you. I think this is my first Rasika so it should be a lot of insightful fun!
moon viewing
a third cup of sake
to find the rabbit
moon shadows
the wax and wane
of myth and magic
moon lit lake
a glittering path
connects both shores
Greetings, Kala. Looking forward!
I take it that with the moon required, a second kigo in the hokku is best avoided.
My three offers:
bright moon
a golden snake
girdles the ocean
—
bright moon
an eye of the Daruma doll
painted in gold
—
hunter’s moon
perfect conditions
for the octopus
Keith Evetts 0509 GMT 1 Oct21
PS: and ‘moon’ with no other seasonal qualifier is a sufficient kigo for autumn?
Yes, Keith. by default, moon in the Japanese Saijiki (book of season words) is autumn.
harvest moon…
a just born wail cheers
the surgical room
Hi Kala! Was looking forward to this. Thanks for the wonderful introduction to Rasika.
My first offer:
moonrise …
the quiet sounds
of a table being set
Nice!
Thank you Kala, I enjoyed learning about Rasika.
*
windy night
scarecrow waving
at the harvest moon
free fallin’
with the moon . . .
willow leaves
Betty Shropshire
blue moon . . .
and a night out
on the town
Kala, it’s good to read your preface to this, your second, Rasika at THF. 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading all the hokku candidates from everyone this week but this time I’ll wait until after a hokku is selected before I join in with any verse offers. ‘Autumn moon’ seems a very nice, tranquil place to start. . . quite the opposite of the spring we’re having in Australia, what with the ice storms , an earthquake, hard rain. and even (very rare!) a tornado!
2.
harvest moon
cupboards full
of canning jars
9.30.2021 by wendy © bialek
harvest moon
filling the pantry
with overnight pads
9.30.2021 by wendy © bialek
please note…kala, this one is not a candidate for raskita
but offered just for fun:
harvest moon
filling the pantry
with overnight pads
9.30.2021 by wendy © bialek
sorry….. lol !!!!
even the moon
can see…this
my first rasika
10.01.2021 by wendy © bialek
thank you for this wonderful
and comprehensive intro
to your new form, kala!
1.
harvest moon
a new ghost rises
in her child’s eyes
9.30.2021 by wendy © bialek
shoreline
martins harvesting
the moon
thank you, Kala, for the great information in your informative post. I look forward to learning from you as this is a new form for me🙏
autumn moon and I
bending to the
river of heaven
Michelle Beyers
Copyright © 9/30/21
the moon and I
inclining to the
river of heaven
Michelle Beyers
Copyright © 9/30/21