www.SijoPoetry.com

(website under development)

 

Sijo (Korean Poetry)

"It seems to be the nature of mankind continually to try something new. That is
just as true in poetry as it is in other areas. During the past forty years
or so we have shown increasing interest in Asian verse patterns. The Middle
Eastern ghazal has its devoted followers in the West, and Japanese forms like
haiku, tanka, renga and haibun are now commonly found in small press and
commercial poetry periodicals. Journey through the Internet and you will see
these forms blossoming everywhere. We Westerners have fallen in love with
Asian patterns, patterns that connect us tenuously with ancient cultures so
different from our own.

So it is with the S I J O (see-szo or she-szo, with the J pronounced as the
French pronounce Jacques). The roots of this lyrical Korean cousin of haiku
and tanka stretch back well over 1000 years. It has been the most popular
form of lyric verse in Korea for over 500 years, sung equally by Confucian
scholars, members of the royal court and common folk . . .

. . . .Remember the three characteristics that make the sijo unique -- its basic
structure, musical/rhythmic elements, and the twist. It is shorter and more
lyrical than the ghazal. It is more roomy than the haiku, and it welcomes
feelings and emotions which haiku either discourage or disguise. It should
please lovers of ballads, sonnets and lyrics, and the downplay of regular
meter and rhyme should appeal to writers of free verse. In short, it's a
fascinating challenge. Let us see your latest one."

~ Larry Gross, copy from his article on Sijo Primer #1

 

 

Untitled

"A single sole was lost today, deep in the river Yalu,
Thrashing, twisting, torn to shreds with color quickly fading.
On the bridge a small boy laughs, holding out his empty shoe."

by Creasy Clauser (Crawfordsville, IN)
12th grade, Southmont High School
2009 Sijo Writing Competition winning entry
(competition open to all pre-college students in USA)

 

 

Sijo Resources - Website Links:

INTRODUCTION TO SIJO
	Sijo Primer # 1 An introduction for those new to sijo, a refresher for others. by Larry Gross
	Like Haiku, It is a Three-Line Poem "The SIJO" by Larry Gross
	An Introduction to Sijo and Its development in North America - an article by Elizabeth St. Jacques
	About Sijo by Elizabeth St Jacques (revised , March 2001)
	How to Write Linked Sijo and Sijo Sequences by Elizabeth st Jacques (revised March 2001)
	The Structure of The Korean Sijo - Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, Vol. 36. pp114-134 (1976) by David R. McCann
	A Basic Guide to Writing Sijo - by Sejong Cultural Society
	Korean Sijo Poem by Victor P. Gendrano
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SIJO COLLECTION
	Sijo Blossoms Nov 2001 Edition ( In The Light SIJO)
	Sijo Blossoms Feb 2001 Edition (In The Light SIJO)
	Sijo Samples - Sejong Cultural Society
	Sijo Masters in Translation by Larry Gross
	Sijo Writing Competition Winners (High school) 2008, 2009
POST YOUR SIJO
	Yahoo Groups SIJO FORUM moderated by Larry Gross
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SIJO REVIEW
	Modern Korean Verse: In Sijo Form - Review by Elizabeth St. Jacques
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INTERVIEW / NEWS COVERAGE ARTICLES
	KBS2TV Broadcast - "World Today" on Sijo poetry events in USA - covering the English Sijo writing workshop for English teachers at UIC and Sijo lecture at the Chicago Public Library (April 9-10, 2010, Chicago) - (narration in Korean, interview in English)
	"The new haiku? Harvard professor david McCann says America is ready for sijo. Boston Globe Interview with David McCann (6/30/2009)
	Listen to David McCann - David McCann explains and sings sijo - Boston Globe Interview
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SIJO WORK SHOP OR LECTURES AVAILABLE ONLINE
	At Harvard University, professor David McCann and his students discuss the sijo, a traditional Korean poetic form, and read their sijo poems. Links to www.poetry.harvard.edu website. Writing Asian Poetry: Part 1 - Introduction & the Concept of the “Twist” in Sijo Poems  - Video Clip Duration: 14:25 Writing Asian Poetry: Part 2 - Students Read Sijo Poems (Round I) - Video Clip Duration: 10:30 Writing Asian Poetry: Part 3 - Students Read Sijo Poems (Round II) & Conclusion - Video Clip Duration: 08:40
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SIJO WRITING COMPETITION
	Sijo Writing competition for pre-college students in USA by Sejong Cultural Society Application deadline March 31, 2011 (6th Sejong Writing Competition)
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SIJO RELATED EVENTS
	English Sijo writing workshop for English teachers - Speaker: David McCann (professor, Harvard University), Presented by UIC English Department & Sejong Cultural Society  (4/9/2010, Chicago)
	Introduction to Sijo lecture by David McCann, Harvard University - at Harold Washington Library, Chicago  4/10/2010  11am- 1 pm
	Enchanted evening of Sijo, Arts and Wine: sijo reading by David McCann, Ellee Pai Hong, Wond Jung Park - at Andrew Bae Gallery, Chicago  4/10/2010 6pm-8pm
	News release on the April 2010 Sijo Events in Chicago - In English - PDF (In English - MS Word file) , In Korean,
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TEACHING SIJO
	Resources for teachers including a teaching gudes at Sejong Cultural Society website
GENERAL
	Website: Poetry in TheWORLDShop by Larry Gross (includes a section on "Asian-inspired Patterns")

 

 

Website by Sejong Cultural Society