Sijo

by S. L. P. Van der Veer (with poem by K. L. Van der Veer)

Summer 2002

The sijo is a form of Korean poetry. It is one of four major native Korean poetic forms. Hyangga, meaning “native song”, was popular in the Silla dynasty (6 th-10 th c.). Pyolgok, or changga, meaning “long song”, came about in the Koryo dynasty (11 th-14 th c.). Kasa, meaning “song words”, emerged in the mid-15 th c. Sijo, meaning “current tune” or “song of seasons”, began in the Choson dynasty (14 th c.), and has proven to be the most popular of the Korean forms. As the translations indicate, Korean poetry is meant to be sung or chanted. Originally, the term referred to the music, but later also indicated the lyric.

Like haiku (Bardic Circle - winter 2001), sijo is a three line poem, although usually it is translated as six lines (originally because of printing constraints). Also as in haiku, sijo is a syllabic form, although with more syllables assigned to it. Sijo contains a total of 44-46 syllables, with 14-16 syllables per line. Each line has a minor pause approximately halfway; each half-line contains 6-9 syllables. Unless there is a reason to do otherwise, the form is most attractive with the second line as the longest.

Any subject is permissible, with favorites including praise of virtue, love or desertion, fear of death, life, music, and the beauty of friendship. The form is more lyrical and personal than haiku. It has a strong basis in nature, and makes frequent use of puns and allusions as in haiku, as well as metaphors and symbols that haiku typically doesn’t. There may be phrases that are echoed or repeated, a result of the form’s heritage of being sung or chanted. The problem or situation is introduced in the first line. There is a development or turn in the second line. Resolution occurs in the third line.

Sijo has received recognition only relatively recently from poets outside of Korea. With this recognition have come changes in the ‘rules’ of sijo. One I’ve already mentioned: printing the sijo in six lines instead of the classical three. Some poets deliberately write their sijo as six lines, preferring that presentation. Classically, sijo are untitled; modern poets will usually title their poems. They will also utilize a range of subjects and metaphors not seen in Korean sijo.

The d'Arc

by K. L. Van der Veer

She steps with pride to meet her fate, her hands bound tight before her.

Her death will save the English crown - still voices bishops cannot hear.

But the foes of God know not the power of His martyr.

For Additional Information

Unsong, Kim. Modern Sijo.

Chong-Wha, Chung, trans. Love in Midwinter: Korean Sijo Poetry

Olsen, Virginia. Sunset in a Spider’s Web: Sijo Poetry of Ancient Korea.

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