Haiku

Haiku is one of the most important form of traditional Japanese poetry.

Haiku is, today, a 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.

Modern Haiku

The history of the modern haiku dates from Masaoka Shiki's reform, begun in 1892, which established haiku as a new independent poetic form.

Shiki's reform did not change two traditional elements of haiku: the division of 17 syllables into three groups of 5, 7, and 5 syllables and the inclusion of a seasonal theme.

Seasonal Theme

Each Haiku must contain a kigo, a season word, which indicate in which season the Haiku is set.

For example, cherry blossoms indicate spring, snow indicate winter, and mosquitoes indicate summer, but the season word isn't always that obvious.

Traditional Japanese HaikuMatsuo Basho (1644-1694)An old pond!A frog jumps in-The sound of water.

The first soft snow!Enough to bend the leavesOf the jonquil low.

In the cicada's cryNo sign can foretellHow soon it must die.

No one travelsAlong this way but I,This autumn evening.

Shuson KatoI kill an antand realize my three childrenhave been watching.

Kijo Murakami (1865-1938).

First autumn morning:the mirror I stare intoshows my father's face.

Modern HaikuUrban Haiku

Michael R. CollingsFreeway overpassBlossoms in grafitti on

fog-wrapped June mornings

If Not for the Cat BY JACK PRELUTSKY

If not for the cat, And the scarcity of

cheese, I could be content.

Tree BY NIKKI GRIMES

1. Ear to trunk, I hear Tree sighing and dreaming

of lights, tinsel, angel.

2. Her boughs bending, still she welcomes

Snow’scompany— temporary friend.

Haiku AssignmentWrite a series of four haikus, each one dealing with a different season.

Each haiku should have a kigo - a word that indicates which season the Haiku is set. Please underline the word.

Follow the Haiku pattern:

First line = 5 syllables

Second line = 7 syllables

Third line = 5 syllables

Rough draft due tomorrow