諷歌そえうた

noun

allegorical waka; metaphorical poem

A technical term from classical Japanese poetics, referring to a waka that conveys an underlying message through metaphor or allegory. Often discussed in the context of the 六義 (rikugi) classification. Rare in everyday language.

See also: 六義

• 六りく義ぎの一ひとつに「諷歌そえうた」があり、比ひ喩ゆを用もちいて意いを伝つたえる歌か体たいとされる。

  One of the rikugi is 'soeuta,' a poetic form said to convey meaning through metaphor.