As many of you know I am a devotee to Japanese poetry.  I came to love haiku when I was a child, and learned about the various other forms of Japanese poetry later when I was in college.

Something I've been reading about lately is Bunnin - a method Renga creation where the various authors collaborate over a long distance.  One of the most popular forms of Bunnin today is to collaborate over the Internet.

Renga is described in detail here.  A quick description of a Renga is that it is a collaborative poem written in verses of 5-7-5, 7-7, then 5-7-5.  The next stanza is 7-7, 5-7-5, then 7-7.  This pattern repeats, with each person writing one verse (5-7-5 or 7-7).  Each stanza of three verses are meant to be closely linked thematically, and then all of the stanzas are meant to work together to create a large collaborative poem reflecting the moment the authors shared and the idea of "change" (変化, henka).   Bashō described this as "newness (新み, atarashim), and as "refraining from stepping back". The fun is in the change, the new, the different, and the interesting verses of others.  If you are still wondering here are some examples written by English speaking Renga masters - I hope ours are more fun.  ^_^

I will keep the Renga running via updates in this journal entry.  If you would post each section you write for the Renga on your journal and link it back to this post.  That will keep replies from running too long, and will possibly generate more interest for our collaborative work.

If you are interested in collaborating in the Renga I will probably go with the standard kasen style and we can decide on final details once everyone has signed on.  If you have any specific ideas as far as style variations - "I hates the moon let's not mention it", etc. let me know when you comment.  So comment if you are interested, and late Monday night I will pick a person to start per the standard rule that the most honored or experienced guest is asked to begin.