Traditional and Modern Haiku

The haiku is a traditional form of short poem that originates in Japan. The structure of the haiku is based on syllables per line. Traditional haikus are about nature. However, in modern times, the haiku has been used to write about a variety of subjects.

LINE 1: 5 syllables LINE 2: 7 syllables LINE 3: 5 syllables

(In translation and in other languages, these conventions are often ignored.)

What is haiku?

Key Elements of a Traditional Haiku:• Rhyme and metaphor are

avoided.• Descriptiveness is emphasized,

with no narrative explanation.• When read aloud, it can be

completed in one breath. • A cutting word is often

included—a grammatical break that marks a transition or pause in thought between separate parts of the poem. First snow

fallingon the half-finished bridge.Matsuo BashoTranslated by Robert Hass

Haiku is more than a form of poetry; it is a way of seeing the world. Each haiku captures a moment of experience—

(This and the subsequent slides are from A.C. Missias’ essay, “Contemporary Haiku”—to read the full essay, visit http://webdelsol.com/Perihelion/acmarticle.htm)Old pond...

a frog jumps inwater's sound.Matsuo BashoTranslated by William Higginson

an instant when the ordinary suddenly reveals its inner nature and makes us take a second look at the event, at human nature, at life.

Won't you come and seeloneliness? Just one leaffrom the kiri tree.Matsuo Basho

“…haiku has not changed much from the days of medieval Japan. The essence of one moment of wisdom captured within a few, short lines is still what inspires writers and draws audiences from around the world.”

Rain falls on the grass,filling the ruts left bythe festival cart.Buson

“It can be as elevated as the ringing of a temple bell, or as simple as sunlight catching a bit of silverware on your table;”

So very still, evencherry blossoms are not stirredby the temple bell.Fuhaku

“as isolated as a mountain top, or as crowded as a subway car; reveling in beauty or acknowledging the ugly.”

Traveling this high  mountain trail, delighted  by violets  Matsuo Basho

“What unifies these moments is the way they make us pause and take notice, the way we are still recalling them hours later—”

Clouds appear and bring to men a chance to restfrom looking at the moon.Matsuo Basho

“the feeling of having had a momentary insight transcending the ordinary, or a glimpse into the very essence of ordinariness itself.”

For a lovely bowl let us arrange these flowers... Since there is no riceMatsuo Basho

English haiku Written since the 1950’sSometimes has fewer than 17 syllables, due

to differences between English and Japanese—11 are often used instead

Long-short-long pattern still usually applies

The little girl on the planeWho turned her doll’s head aroundTo look at me.

J.D. Salinger

The Red Wheelbarrowso much dependsupon a red wheelbarrow glazed with rainwater beside the whitechickens.

William Carlos Williams

In a Station of the Metro. The apparition of those faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough.

Ezra Pound

Imagist movement in the early 1900’s:This is Just To SayI have eaten the plums that were in the icebox

and which you were probably saving for breakfast

Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold William Carlos Williams