EArthOceanFire Japanese Poetry

 

Japanese Poetry

My love of poetry has inspired me to introduce you to a beautiful form of poetry. I will give you a few simple rules so you can write poems in this Japanese style.  

There are many types of Japanese poetry, however, I will introduce you to only two so you can try them.

1. What is a haiku?

A haiku is a Japanese poem consisting of three lines and 17 syllables.  Each line must contain a specific number of syllables.  The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables and the third line has five syllables. The haiku is one of the most beautiful of poetic forms.

Here is an example of a poem written in "haiku" form

(5 syllables)  proud, free butterfly:
(7 syllables)  I wanted to fondle you;
(5 syllables)  bright wings ripped.
       (2)  you died.

(5) soft? skin does not age
(7) only the image darkens,
(5) bodies remember. . .

(5) body and body. . .
(7) same as always, nothing more. . .
(5) a slight pause in time. . .

(5) at dawn I picked two 
(7) flowers: at noon
             I sold one
(5) to fill my stomach. . .

What are the rules for making a haiku?

As mentioned, the haiku contains three lines. With syllables alternating 5, 7 and then 5.  Rhyming is not necessary.  Rules regarding word repetition, punctuation and capitalization are left to the writer's discretion.

Go ahead an try composing a "haiku." There many subjects to choose from:  War, Nature, Love, Politics, Music, Art, Global Warning, Relationships, whatever you are inspired by!

Thousands of haiku are composed every year, and for the most part, represent Japanese subjects such as landscapes, seasons, birds, insects, flowers, phases of the moon and other natural phenomena. Haiku offers a writer the chance to suggest a scene, a landscape or a mood that is open to interpretation. It is left to the reader to fill in the details of the painting suggested by the writer or Haiku Master.  

History of the Haiku. . .

Haiku was officially born in Japan at the beginning of the Tokugawa shogurrate (1603-1770). The haiku style grew out of the popular pastime known as Renga, in which one or more poets supplied alernating sections to short, five-lined verse known as tanka verse. The seventeenth century poet, Matsuo Basho (1644-94) elevated this form into a high literary form. Today haiku remains the most popular form of literary expression in Japan and its popularity in the West continues to grow.

II. What is Naga-uta?

 Japanese poetry form of 5, 7, 5 syllables is called a "haiku."  The form 7,7 is called a "renga" and when a "haiku"and renga are linked, the resulting form is called a "tanka." A series of "tankas" is called a "naga-uta."

Example of a "naga-uta" form poem

(5) In my former life:

(7) I blind beggar of fourteen,

(5) one day touched your life. . .

(7) You, wilier street-urchin,

(7) were fifteen, having wise eyes.

by:  Aaron Brown

I hope you have the chance to try writing in this style. It is magical!

  

  










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Related blogs you might be interested in:

Cinema of Hong Kong
http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/06/cinema-of-hong-kong.html 

 Martial Art Movies
http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/12/martial-art-movies.html

The Golden Age of Japanese Cinema
http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.cp,2107/06/the-golden-age-of-japanese-cinema.html 

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http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/05/japanese-anime.html

 

We will automatically send you a free list of "film noir" movies both classic and newer ones. . .7 pages of info and where the movies are streaming! We did the work for you! Enjoy and follow us today! Follow us here on blogger or on our website.

EarthOceanFire Martial Arts Movies

 

In this blog, I will share with you a few of my favorite martial artists and movies that are filmed in a way to clearly view them as they demonstrate their martial art skills.  

JET LI'S STORY:  He was born in Beijing, China April 26, 1963.  Li was eight years old when his talent for Wushu was noticed as he practiced at a school summer course. He then attended a non-sparring wushu event which led to joining the Beijing Wushu Team which did a martial art display at all the games. 

 

Renowned coaches Li Jung-fend and Wu Bin made an extra effort to help him develop his skills. Wu Bin even bought groceries for his family as they could not afford to buy meat and he felt it was needed to develop Jet Li's skills. He won his first gold medal at the Wushu Championships at the age of 12. Jet Li said, "My winning caused quite a sensation because I was so young. I was 12 years old and the other two medalists were in their mid to late twenties. I had to stand on top the podium to be seen during the ceremony and I was still shorter than the other contestants."

 

As a result of winning his first championship, he traveled to 45 countries and visited the President of the U.S. Richard M Nixon who asked him to be his bodyguard. Li replied,  "I don't want to protect any individual.  When I grow up I want to defend my one billion Chinese countrymen."

FILMS OF JET LI:

Jet Li starred in his first movie when he was 20 years old. "Shaolin Temple" (1979) which started the 1980's kung-fu boom in mainland China. He relocated to Hong Kong, where he was the biggest star of the early 1990's kung fu boom.

In 2001, Li co-starred with Bridget Fonda in "Kiss of the Dragon" directed by Luc Besson. A critic for the New York Times wrote, "His action sequences are like an oil fire, spilling from one room into the next and lighting the interiors with heat and wreckage.  Mr. Li and his choreographer, Corey Yuen, have a set a new standard for action here." 

Chinese Director Jing Wong worked with Jet on 4 films: (1993) Last Hero in China, (1993) Kung Fu Cult Master, (1994) The New Legend of Shaolin and (1995) High Risk.  

 

Jet Li worked with Chinese Director Tsui Hark on 5 films. (1989) Once Upon a Time China, Once Upon a Time in China 2, Once Upon a Time in China 3 and Black Mask (1996.) 

 

He played both an attempted assassin of the First Emperor of China (Hero 2002) and the First Emperor of China (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) (2008) A few more of his films are: "Romeo Must Die"(2000) and "Lethal Weapon 4"(1998) This was his first American film and was very successful for him. To see a list of his films go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li#Filmography

 

 JET LI'S skills: He trained in wushu for 28 years and picked up much from the thousands of martial art styles he has encountered. Li knows several styles of Wushu. Competing against much older martial artists, he won 15 gold medals and 1 silver medal in the Chinese Wushu Championships. Jet Li's handprint and autograph are on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong.

Note:  See videos and learn more about many martial art subjects including self-defense at Jet Li's website!

http://www.jetli.com 

 

 JACKIE CHAN

Jackie Chan has "paid his dues." He endured many years of hard work and multiple injuries to establish himself in martial arts cinema especially in his early beginning in Hong Kong. He was born April 7, 1954 in Hong Kong.

 

When he was 7 years old,  his father took a job in Australia and enrolled Jackie in the China Drama Academy so he could learn some skills. Jackie spent the next 10 years there rarely seeing his parents learning acrobatics, martial arts, singing and acting.

Read more of Jackie Chan's biography at his website: http://jackiechan.com

 

He has been in over 150 films and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He knows many fighting styles but his main style is king fu. Kung Fu is the most ancient self-defense style and it comes from China. Jackie also has a good voice and he sometimes sings the theme songs to his movies; but has not taken the time to establish a singing career. 

These days Jackie would like to show people his other side and be a dramatic actor. "The Foreigner" is a recent film where he got to play a dramatic role. He says, "I have to speak English from my heart and let the tears go down and it's so difficult." He is happy with his performance as it was recognized and has set his sights on more dramatic roles.  "I want to change people’s thoughts," he says. "I am not an action star or action-comedy star anymore, I am an actor. I can do so many things, just like Robert De Niro. I am waiting for the next drama film, so Hollywood—please hire me!"

To read the list of Jackie Chan's films go to his website filmography   http://www.jackiechan.com/filmography.htm

 

BRUCE LEE

He is noted for his roles in five feature-length films; "The Big Boss (1971); "Fist of Fury" (1972); "Way of the Dragon" (1972) directed and written by Lee; "Enter the Dragon (1973); and "The Game of Death" (1978.)

 

 Lee became an iconic figure known throughout the world, particularly among the Chinese. He is credited with helping the way Asians were presented in American Films. He trained in the art of Wing Chun and later combined his other martial art influences to his style. He dubbed his style Jeet Kune Do which was a mix of kwon do and wing chun.

Born Nov. 27, 1940 Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Died July 23, 1973 Kowloon, Hong Kong 

 

DONNIE YEN. . .   

was born July 27, 1963 in Guangzhou, China. His family moved to Hong Kong when he was two and then when he was 11 moved to Boston, Mass.  His mother was a kung fu master, named Bow-sim Mark and his father was a newspaper editor and musician. He reached a high level of proficiency as a pianist. His later studies as a director reveal the smooth movements like music in his choreography.

 

A

 

His training began very early, as soon as he could walk by his mother.  He began learning Tai chi and Wushu. Donnie is a multiple time World Washu Tournament champion. Just like Jet Li, he trained with the Beijing Wushu team winning several gold medals.

Donnie Yen knows a variety of martial arts:

Tai-Chi; Chuan, Boxing, Kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, Hapkido, Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Thai, Hung Ga, Wrestling, Brazilian Jin-Jitsu, Judo, Wing Chun

 

His fighting style has been filmed in a full-body style where you can see his moves in these three famous films - (2010) IP Man I, (2015) IP Man II, (2016) IP Man III 

  Yip Man and photo of Bruce Lee training with his teacher Yip Man

 

IP Man I    Director: Wilson Yep, Starring Donnie Yen, Martial Arts Choreography: Sammo Hung 

 

IP Man I is based on the life of Bruce Lee's teacher, called Yip Man or IP man (October 1 1893 - December 2, 1972),a grandmaster of Wing Chun and the first to teach it. He had several students who later became martial arts masters. Bruce Lee was one of his most famous students. Above is a photo of Bruce Lee training with him. The film idea originated with other film makers, but the project was dropped so Raymond Wong decided to make IP Man.

 

With full consent from IP's sons, with IP's eldest son being serving as a consultant on the production and appearing in the film, the crew began filming in Shanghai where they recreated the city of Fushon set in the late 1930's and early 1940's. It was filmed in Hong Kong in the Cantonese language. Donnie Yen plays the part of Yip Man.

 

  MY REVIEW: This film gets two thumbs up!  I was immediately impressed with the unique set designs and the original style of filming. Not like any other Asian film I had ever seen. The beauty of timeless simplicity - just enough of everything - but not too much. The set design is filled with plants, antique furniture, and home-like touches such as dining with the guests and conversations with the locals. On top of this, when the film gets rolling, we can clearly see the moves in the fight scenes. 

 

IP Man I and IP Man II follow suit for the same great viewing as the grandmaster takes his martial arts to other regions and interacts with his students. There is a fight scene in IP Man II where Sammo Hung and Donnie Yen fight on top of a loose table top that is original and breathtaking! It happens early in the film so you don't have to wait for it. Check it out!

Note:  There is an IP Man III and now an IP Man IV which are streaming on Netflix   The same director did all of them. I have seen all but the #4 and they were great quality and spirit!

Donnie Yen has starred in many films includin Kung Fu Killer (2014) (2017) Rogue One, Chasing the Dragon (2017) and (2016) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.  

Too see more of Donnie's films go to this link:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Yen#Filmography 

 CONCLUSION:  This article could go on and on as I am very interested in martial arts. But for now, I will close and hope I have given you some inspiration and great martial art films to enjoy!

 

Thank you for visiting! Nelda

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You might also be interested in these other articles:

Hong Kong Cinema  http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/06/cinema-of-hong-kong.html

The Golden Age of Japanese Cinema http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-golden-age-of-japanese-cinema.html

Japanese Anime  http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/05/japanese-anime.html

For more study go to these links:

IMBD http://www.imdb.com 

Criterion  http://www.criterion.com 

You Tube  http://www.youtube.com

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