初しょ句く

noun

first line of a poem; opening phrase

Specifically refers to the first five syllables in a tanka, or more broadly the first line of any poem. A technical term in Japanese poetry.

• 短たん歌かの初しょ句くは五ご音おんで始はじまる。

  The first line of a tanka begins with five syllables.

• この俳はい句くの初しょ句くが特とくに印いん象しょう的てきだ。

  The opening phrase of this haiku is especially striking.