Tanka

Tan·ka  (tängkä)

n. pl. Tanka or Tan·kas

A member of a people inhabiting coastal areas in China, traditionally living on small boats clustered in colonies. Also called Tan.

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[Chinese (Cantonese) Tánka, equivalent to Chinese (Mandarin) Dànji : Dàn, tribal name + ji, family, people.]

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tan·ka ¹  (tängk)

n.

A Japanese verse form in five lines, the first and third composed of five syllables and the rest of seven.

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[Japanese.]

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tan·ka ²

n.

A Tibetan religious painting on fabric, usually portraying the Buddha or lamas in stereotyped aspects.

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[Tibetan thaka, something rolled up.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	tanka - a form of Japanese poetry; the 1st and 3rd lines have five syllables and the 2nd, 4th, and 5th have seven syllables poem, verse form - a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
	2.	tanka - a Tibetan religious painting on fabric painting, picture - graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface; "a small painting by Picasso"; "he bought the painting as an investment"; "his pictures hang in the Louvre"