context: poetry > renga

Sogi 1421-1502

Sogi was the most famed master of renga - he was appointed Administrator of the Bureau of Renga Contests (the highest honour for a poet, and it's a striking fact that such a thing existed). The most famous renga ever is a 100-link piece from 1488 known as 'Three Poets of Minase', by Sogi and his pupils Shohaku (1443-1527) and Socho (1448-1532). Each was given three minutes to compose each stanza. Here's an excerpt:

Sogi	Snow yet remaining The mountain slopes are misty - An evening in spring.
Shohaku	Far away the water flows Past the plum-scented village.
Socho	In the river breeze The willow trees are clustered Spring is appearing.
Sogi	The sound of a boat being poled Clear in the morning light.
Shohaku	The moon! does it still Over fog-enshrouded fields Linger in the sky?
Socho	Meadows carpeted in frost - Autumn has drawn to a close.