One of the most popular poetry forms, because of its brevity, is the haiku. Consisting of three lines, this form is broken down into the number of syllables per line:

By the ancient pond [5]

When a frog leaps into it [7]

The sound of water [5]

This poem by Matsuo Basho focuses on the external. It doesn’t often stray into internal emotions, but focuses on the physical world, which is common to haiku.

Here are 5 other forms of waka poetry.

Tanka (5-7-5-7-7)

Our life in this world

To what shall I compare it?

It is like a boat

Rowing out at break of day

Leaving not a trace behind

– Priest Sami Mansei, translated by Steven D. Carter

Another popular form of waka, the tanka is slightly longer than a haiku. Another version of the tanka, called a renga, was popular from the 10th to 17th centuries. This form was written by two people. It consisted of a haiku, or hokku, written by one individual, followed by two lines that were written by another other. The renga was a collaborative form.

Katauta (5-7-7)

Shadow of moonlight

The breeze travels with her hair

Hearing her voice on the bank

A katauta is similar to a haiku despite the longer line at the end, although it is considered a “fragment” as compared to the other waka forms.

Sedoka (5-7-7 -5-7-7)

The sedoka is sometimes a dialogue poem, or mondoka, possibly between two lovers.

Bussokusekika (5-7-5-7-7-7)

Choka (5-7-5-7-5-7…. 5-7-7)

 

Sources: Wikipedia, Poetic Meter and Form, World Poetry