Please take some time to read down. Individual guides contain a key to the symbols used in that particular type of sequence. Symbols may vary depending on sequence but the style of usage, described below, is consistent throughout.

Please bear in mind that all guides on Renku Reckoner, whilst designed to be optimal, are illustrative only. All sequences discussed on this site are capable of many more variations.

The article 'Common Types' elsewhere on Renku Reckoner carries a further text description of each type of sequence plus a personal appraisal.

The header contains the name of the sequence type, a descriptive tag, and the name of the originator or populariser.

The table is laid out in columns. At left the verse positions are named or numbered. The verse length is also indicated. Subsequent columns give a typical layout for a poem begun in a particular season. Pick your season/column and follow down. Sections of the table may represent a folio face, or movement, and carry a header accordingly.

Many more variants are possible to all types of sequence than can be shown. By way of illustration sequences taking autumn or spring as their starting point are each provided with two complete layouts.

Persons new to renku are advised to adhere closely to the suggested layouts. Swapping back and forth between columns is not recommended.

For those wishing to determine their own variations, an understanding of the general principles governing season distribution may be gained from the article The Seasons of Renku elsewhere in Renku Reckoner.

Season positions are colour coded au autumn, sp spring, su summer, wi winter.

Non-season positions are coded ns.

Topic positions are shown in white. Moon and blossom (or flower) appear in association with a season. Love may readily appear in association with either season or non-season positions.

Optional topic positions are shown in white brackets. The choice is either/or. In the example above spring moon will appear in the hokku or the wakiku.

Season options are indicated by adjoining symbols. The choice is either/or. In the example above the verse arrowed will be non-season or summer (in this instance it also happens to be a love position).

Exercising a season option frequently has consequences for subsequent verses. In the example above if non-season is chosen for verse 4 then verse 5 will be 'summer', and vice versa. Please refer to the notes accompanying each schema for specific information.

The most common option is shown first. In the example above at left verses 4, 5 and six would most readily be non-season, winter and non-season respectively. The less common sequence would be winter, non-season, non-season.