Honkadori possesses qualities of yūgen and ushin (有心)[1] in Japanese art.
In a narrative story, honkadori are often found in the form of a poem spoken by one of the characters.
The use of honkadori attempts to affect the reader in the same way as the original poem, the only difference being in the meaning and atmosphere.
Debates occur while interpreting poems over the difference between honkadori and seishi (lines from poetry which have already been used and are not allowed to be repeated.
The skilful use of honkadori is then found in the balance between not being plagiarism, and still evoking the context of the original poem.