first part of a poem or verse
Refers to the opening lines of a traditional Japanese poem, especially the first three lines of a tanka (5-7-5) or the first two lines of a renga. Often contrasted with 下の句 (しものく).
We played a game where we listened to the first part of a Hyakunin Isshu poem and answered with the second part.
Compound of 上 (かみ, 'upper') + の (possessive particle) + 句 (く, 'phrase, verse').