Katauta is a Japanese style of poetry that was used before 8 AD and consists of 17 or 19 syllables. These syllables are spread over 3 lines either with each line containing 5, 7, then 5 syllables or 5, 7, then 7 syllables. Two Katautas written together make up a Sedoka. A single Katauta is considered an incomplete poem.
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A Confusing Point
The Katauta is short. Using the traditional definition of a Haiku, a Katuata is approximately the same thing (having a syllable make up of 5-7-5 over three lines). The main difference, I assume, is that the Haiku is more complex than the standard 5-7-5 definition (though I'm not an expert there) and is unrhymed, while the Katuata can be rhymed. I'm still working out the difference....But Lookout For...
Katuatas are considered incomplete for a reason: if you want to capture a short moment in time, a Haiku is probably more acceptable. From what I've read, Katautas are meant to be part of a longer dialogue, though singularly they are good practice for the longer style.Examples
Questions
November 3, 2014
A simple question
Lingers in the calm, still air
Waits for you and I
