Japanese poetry broadly includes works written in various forms of the Japanese language, poetry in Chinese by Japanese poets (kanshi), and ryūka from the Okinawa Islands. Its literary record began significantly during the Tang dynasty when Japanese poets encountered Chinese poetry, leading to the composition of kanshi and a strong association between poetry and pictorial art. Over several centuries, this foreign influence was assimilated, giving rise to distinct native forms like waka, which encompasses the tanka form, and later, haiku.

The history spans from early mythological phases through the significant Nara (710-794) and Heian (794-1185) periods, with major anthologies such as the 8th-century Man'yōshū preserving thousands of poems. Both kanshi and waka feature prominently in classics like The Tale of Genji, reflecting the deep integration of these poetic traditions. Today, Japanese poetry continues to thrive with traditional tanka and haiku, alongside experimental forms, often characterized by its collaborative nature and compilation into larger collections.