Introduction
The ideas, ideals, practices, and customs of the societies in one’s life are assimilated, evaluated, and adopted as a vital element of one’s cultural identity. Japan employs Tanka poems as a popular and representative form of ancient Japanese poetry which aids in the promotion of Japanese cultural identity. Tanka was first developed as Waka, which spread far and wide, commencing in the 7th century, and is currently produced today while maintaining its cultural features by individuals from various backgrounds (Kensuke 138). Cultural identity plays a vital role in Tanka’s popularity as these pieces allow Japanese people to connect with their roots and each other.
Discussion
For Japan, Tanka is a fundamental art style. It is evident by how it is often featured in various media outlets, including TV, radio, and newspapers, some of which include reader-submitted Tanka articles (Kensuke 141). The main reason why Tanka prevails in its popularity is the way it allows one to express empathy and emotion through a quick succession of words. It helps people understand each other’s complex feelings through simple means and find common ground with both contemporary and ancient artists. Consequently, social media sites like Twitter have garnered many casual enthusiasts who use Tanka in their poetry technique, which contributes highly to the spread of Japanese culture globally (Kensuke 138). In the avalanche of globalization, Tanka is one of the art forms that help Japanese people to maintain a connection with their heritage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Japanese cultural identity influences Tanka and its readers by employing topics, feelings, and ideas that are relevant to Japanese people in a form familiar to them. It impacts not only the people of Japanese heritage, but also those of foreign cultures, allowing for widespread of Japanese identity. In the age of globalization, the existence of such means of expression is essential and impressive.
Work Cited
Kensuke, Koshida. (2020). “Globalization of Tanka: How Twitter Contributes to Development of Traditional Japanese Poetry.” Relacje Międzykulturowe = Intercultural Relations, vol. 2, no. 8, pp. 137–149.