definition

what is haiku?

The haiku is a Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the
first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. The haiku developed from the hokku
(former name of haiku), the opening three lines of a longer poem known as a tanka. The haiku
became a separate form of poetry in the 17th century.

4 Characteristics of Haiku Poetry Nature themes and imagery evoking a specific season are the
traditional focus of haiku poetry.

1. Kigo: Traditional haiku contains a kigo, a word or phrase that places it in a particular season. Some of
the most classic kigo are sakura (cherry blossoms) for spring, fuji (wisteria) for summer, tsuki (moon) for
fall, and samushi (cold) for winter.

2. Kireji: Known in English as the “cutting word,” kireji creates a pause or a break in the poem’s rhythm.

3. Nature and the seasons: Describing the season was the original purpose of haiku, and to this day,
poets often focus on the natural world and how it changes throughout the year.

4. On: A Japanese haiku contains seventeen on, or sounds. On are counted differently than syllables in
English, which leads to translators’ lack of consensus on whether seventeen English syllables truly
capture the spirit of haiku.

REMEMBER:

• a haiku does not rhyme

• has three lines
• follows a syllable pattern 5-7-5

HERE IS AN EAMPLE OF A HAIKU:

Title: The old pond

Furuike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto

An old silent pond...

A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.
 • the form presents a nature story wherein a silent old pond experiences a sudden noise,
the splash of a frog in a pond, before returning to silence.
• the old pond seems to be a symbol of the subconscious mind. It is there inside
everyone. Like the old pond, it exists in silence. Moreover, the poet refers to the
subconscious mind of an old person
• “Old pond” means the deserted scene and there is no sound around the pond.
• A frog breaks the silence by jumping into the pond by the sound of water.And after the
jumping, the silence comes again. The haiku poem would evoke the image and sound
that Matsuo Basho saw and heard.

author:

Matsuo Bashō

year: 1686

links

https://www.britannica.com/art/haiku

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-haiku-in-4-easy-steps

https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-old-pond/