Rooster Tankas

The greatest New Year's honor that can befall a Japanese is to have his poem recited to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Hirohito. Less than ten poems are recited. All must be on the same subject (chosen in advance by the Imperial Household Ministry). All must be in the requisite tanka form of 31 syllables in lines of five, seven, five, seven and seven syllables. Each year at least 30,000 Japanese poets strive for the honor. U. S. cable companies are grateful for the fact that Japanese living abroad usually wire their contributions. Those who do not win have another consolation: some may be invited to the Phoenix Hall of the Imperial Palace to hear the tankas composed by members of the Imperial family. This ceremony occurred last week. Subject of this year's composition was "The Cock's Crowing at Dawn," considered by most an easier subject to suggest* in 31 syllables than those stumpers of recent years: "Rocks at the Ocean's Fringe," "The Coloring of the Mountain Becomes More Brilliant." Wrapped in his state kimono. Baron Imazono stood in the Phoenix Hall and chanted not once but five times in succession the Imperial contributions. From the Emperor: From my own dreams to the weal of my people, thou, Chanticleer, Turnest my thoughts at thy call of the dawn. From the Empress: Send thy joyous clarion call, O Chanticleer, even to the dawning sky, Where fast retiring, yet lingering, the moon to earth draws near. From the Dowager Empress: Let the weary travelers of night take heart again At early dawn when suddenly comes Chanticleer.

*Unlike Western poetry, a Japanese poem is not intended to express a complete thought but to suggest a series of poetic ideas in the reader's mind.

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