Japan Appreciating Haiku Haiku has three lines of 5-7 syllables. It is highly suggestive, condense and intense.

It is considered to be a record of a moment of emotion in which human nature is somehow linked to all nature. Thus, it contains at least some references to the seasons and nature. Emotions and insights suggested in haikus range from the simple to deep and intricate. Matsuo Basho (1644 -1694) The saintly poet. In his hands the haiku became a form dedicated to poetry of high seriousness, but with a wide range of diction and subject matter. Basho s own haiku, in which two or three images suggest a depth of perception commensurate with his devotion to Zen Buddhism, are seen to best advantage as they occur in his poetic travel accounts, which he wrote in his last decade.

HAIKU Matsuo Basho

Many, many things They bring to mind Cherry-blossoms

On a withered branch A crow has settled Autumn nightfall.

Around existence twine Oh, bridge that hands across the gorge Ropes of twisted wine

Cool it is, and still: Just the tip of a crescent moon Over the Black-wing Hill.

The summer grasses grow Of might warriors splendid Dreams the afterglow

Old pond: Frog-jump-in Water-sound.

Ow rough a sea And, stretching over Sado Isle, The Galaxy

A village where they ring No bells! Oh, what do they do At dusk in spring?

The persimmon, lo! No one can tell till he tastes it! Marriage is even so.

Fall of the night Over the sea the wild-duck voice Shadowy and white.

A lightning-gleam: Into darkness travels A night-heron s scream.

Suggested Study Guide: 1. Haiku is considered to be a record of a moment of emotion. Based on the images described by the poet, try to guess the emotion suggested in each haiku. 2. In each haiku, what does the image of the season or nature try to convey? Suggested Activity: Write your own haiku which will be displayed in the classroom haiku exhibit.

CHINA
Tu Fu (712-770). One of the two greatest poets of the T ang Period of China (618-906) where two main types of poetry evolved: the new style of 4 lines or 8 lines characterized by contrasted intonations in each pair of lines; and the old style, not limited in length and with no regular tonal pattern.

The Little Rain Tu Fu Translated by L. Crammer-Byug

Oh, she is good, the little rain! And well She knows our need Who cometh in the time of spring to aid The sun-drawn seed; She wanders with a friendly wind through Silent nights unseen, The furrows feel her happy tears, And lo! The land is green.

Last night cloud-shadows gloomed The path that winds to my abode, And the torches of the river boats Like angry meteors glowed. Today fresh colors break the soil, and Butterflies take wing Down broidered lawns all bright with Pearls in the garden of the king.

Suggested Study Guide: 1. Enumerate the figures of speech used by the poet. 2. Identify the tone of the poem. 3. Find out other idea suggested by the poet.

The River Merchant s Wife: A Letter Li Tai Po

Translated by: Ezra Pound (701-762) A great Chinese poet, named Rihaku (a transcription of Japanese from the name Li-po) by Ezra Pound.

While my hair was still cut straight across my forehead I played about the front gate, pulling flowers. You came by on bamboo stilts, playing horse, You walked about my seat, playing with blue plums. And we went on living in the village of Chokan: Two small people, without dislike or suspicion.

At fourteen I married My lord you. I never laughed, being bashful. Lowering my head, I looked at the wall. Called to, a thousand times, I never looked back.

At fifteen I stopped scowling, I desired my dust to be mingled with yours For ever and for ever and for ever. Why should I climb the lookout?

At sixteen you departed, You went into Ku-to-yen, by the river of swirling eddies, And you have been gone for five months. The monkeys make sorrowful noise overhead. You dragged your feet when you went out.

Suggested Study Guide: 1. What is the situation of the speaker in this poem? What is his attitude about the situation? 2. Chinese poetry relives heavily upon imagery. What are the images illustrated in the poem? What feelings do these images create in you?