Waka poetry was the most important genre of classical Japanese literature and continues to be composed today, usually in the form known as tanka, or “short song,” from the second half of the 19th century onwards (consisting of 31 morae arranged in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern). One of its central themes was nature, particularly those elements considered suitable for poetic expression. Among insects, the focus was primarily on those known for producing beautiful sounds, such as various types of crickets, but also on fireflies. In the pre-modern period, waka poetry began to exhibit realistic tendencies, expanding its subject matter and vocabulary – exemplified by the work of Tachibana Akemi (1812–1868).
This article first presents the use of insect motifs in earlier waka poetry as background, then discusses the depiction of insects in Tachibana’s poetry, with a focus on innovative themes (such as lice and ants) and realism.
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