Shichigon-zekku Totally Explained

Everything about Shichigon-zekku totally explained

Shichigon-zekku (七言絶句) is the Japanese term for a poetry verse form (often of Chinese origin) consisting of four phrases each seven Chinese characters (kanji - 漢字) in length. Shichigon-zekku are the most common form of classical Chinese poems (kanshi - 漢詩), and the standard form of shigin (Japanese chanted poetry).

Composition

In composing Shichigon-zekku, the character of the phrases (zekku) is important. The is as follows:

First phrase (kiku - 起句): Depiction of the scene

Second phrase (shoku - 承句): Add further illustration and detail to the kiku

Third phrase (tenku - 転句): By changing the scene of action, reveal the true essence of the poem

Fourth phrase (kekku - 結句): In assimilating the tenku draw together and complete the poem The Japanese terms mean literally: bringing into being; understanding; changing and drawing together.

Example

The examples below illustrate poems in Shichigon-zekku form:

江南春绝句
千里莺啼绿映江，
水村山郭酒旗风。
南朝四百八十寺，
多少楼台烟雨中。

Spring of the South
Thousands miles of birds' singing, light green along the Yangtze river;
Ponds and hills circling the village with flags in the soothing wind;
Amid the four hundreds and eighty temples of the South dynasty;
How many terraces are in the misty cold rains?

Author: Du Mu (杜牧), (803～852).

富士山
仙客来遊雲外巓
神龍棲老洞中渕
雪如丸素煙如柄
白扇倒懸東海天

Mount Fuji
This great peak above the clouds, where hermit-wizards came for sport
The deep pools of whose caverns holy dragons have inhabited from old
The snow is like white silk, the rising smoke like a handle
A great white fan inverted, in the heavens above the eastern sea

Author: Ishikawa Jozan (石川丈山), (1583～1672).

Further Information

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