Renga
/ˈrɛŋɡə/noun
A traditional Japanese linked-verse poem composed collaboratively by multiple poets.
Did you know?Medieval renga sessions could function like highly formalized social rituals, with poets taking turns while obeying intricate rules of imagery, season, and repetition.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
連
“To join, connect, or link”
Classical Chinese
Chinese
連歌
“Linked song or connected verse”
8th–12th Century
Japanese
renga
“A collaborative linked-verse form developed from Japanese and Chinese poetic traditions”
14th–16th Century
Japanese
連歌
“A highly formalized poetic practice in which poets alternated linked stanzas”
20th Century
English
renga
“An English loanword for the Japanese linked-verse tradition”
Modern English
English
renga
“Collaborative Japanese-style linked poetry”