Mandala of All Creation
As you write your renku, try to touch base with as many areas of the universe and human experience as possible. Remember: a renku is a quick tour through life, so try to make yours as inclusive as possible. But because it's quick, there's no reason to repeat categories—especially in a short, 20-verse renku. One mythic being's enough!
Some categories, such as the seasons, love, and the moon, are built into the renku directions. Other categories appear on this chart. Use it to stimulate your imagination as you and your friends wander, in your minds, through space and time...
| 居所 abodes | 酒 alchohol | 動物 animals |
| 香り aromas | 芸術 arts | 本 books |
| 釈教 Buddhism | 天象 celestials | 子供 children |
| 衣類 clothing | 人工 constructions | 夢 dreams |
| 行事 events | 田野 fields | 食物 food |
| 神祇 gods | 人倫 humans | 無常 impermanence |
| 述懐 memories | 山類 mountains | 個人名 persons |
| 地名 places | 植物 plants | 降物 precipitation |
| 遊び recreation | 聳物 risings | 景物 scenery |
| 学校 schools | 科学 sciences | 病態 sickness |
| 音 sounds | 妖精 supernaturals | 涙 tears |
| 時分 time | 旅 travel | 乗物 vehicles |
| 戦乱 war | 水辺 water | きみの yours |
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