Might they perhaps be
     the first blossoms of springtime-
     those waves bursting forth
     through each crevice in the ice
     melting in the valley breeze?
 

Manyoshu Poetry The Manyoshu was compiled around 850 A.D., and includes works by all classes of people. The compilers of this collection were able to draw from all the previously written waka. Of the three collections, The Manyoshu has the distinction of featuring longer poems, and a looser style. It has a stronger presence of Shinto than the other works, and is comprised mainly of poems about nature. More than the others, there seems to be many puns and outright humor and good-naturedness in the poetry, making it easier and more enjoyable to read.

Kokinshu Poetry The Kokinshu followed relatively soon after, being compiled around 905 A.D. The form is more rigid, and comprised almost entirely of short poems. Since it was an Imperial collection, there was more care taken as far as order and organization. It also seems that there were more elite members of society represented in the work. Almost every poem is by a Lady, Prince, or Monk. It doesn't seem to be the work of the workiing class. There were some very separate themes in the Kokinshu, which make up one of its more prominent qualities. There are whole sections devoted to travel, the seasons, and love, for example. There were also references to earlier works mentioned in it.

Shinkokinshu Poetry The Shinkokinshu followed quite some time after the first two collections, compiled in 1205 A.D. This covered quite a span of time to supply poems to this collection, but as has been noticed, this group contained many poems that have been called substandard. This was done in order to add smooth sequence connections and rhythm. Though they were called substandard, I think it is important to remember that ALL the literature of Western civilization writted between 905 and 1205 would scarcely fill a volume. One thing that difinitely categorizeds the Shinkokinshu is the meticulous organization that was employed in it compilation. The finest literary consultants must have been put on the job of sorting out the thousands of poems that were eligible for inclusion.