Main Features of Haiku Poems
- Traditional Japanese Poetry: It is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that originated in the 17th century.
- Concise Three-Line Structure: It is a concise and evocative three-line poem with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. This is a specific haiku format.
- Focus on Nature and Seasonal Themes: Traditionally, they focus on nature and seasonal themes, capturing fleeting moments or observations in the natural world.
- Evoke Tranquility and Simplicity: Haiku poems often seek to evoke a sense of tranquility, simplicity, and appreciation for the beauty of the world around us.
- Deep Emotions and Insights: They are known for their brevity and ability to convey deep emotions and insights with just a few carefully chosen words.
- Reflection and Connection: They invite readers to reflect on the essence of life and the interconnectedness of all things.
- Modern Haikus: Over time, it has evolved, allowing for more flexibility in subject matter and structure, resulting in modern haikus that may not strictly adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable pattern but still capture the essence of the traditional form.
How to Write a Haiku
The question of how to write a haiku seems quite easy in that there are certain steps that must be followed to learn to write a haiku. These steps are as follows.
| Step | Explanation | Example |
| i. | Plan writing and think about the topic: They are concise poems that often revolve around nature, seasonal themes, or moments of reflection. Start by choosing a topic or a moment you want to capture in your haiku. | Topic: Cherry blossoms |
| ii. | Use the topic as a phrase in the first verse: The first verse sets the stage for your haiku and should be a standalone phrase that introduces the theme or image. Keep it simple, and use sensory language to create a vivid picture. | First Verse: “Pink petals bloom” |
| iii. | Connect the first verse to the second and then the third: The second verse should expand on or relate to the first, while the third verse should complement and complete the image. The goal is to create a seamless flow between the verses, providing a coherent snapshot of the moment or scene. | Second Verse: “Amidst gentle breeze” Third Verse: “Nature’s soft ballet” |
| iv. | See that all verses have a connection and all are images: Check that each verse contributes to the overall theme or image you want to convey. Remove any unnecessary words or ideas to maintain the simplicity and focus of the haiku. Ensure that the three verses together paint a complete and harmonious picture. | First Verse: “Pink petals bloom” Second Verse: “Amidst gentle breeze” Third Verse: “Nature’s soft ballet” |
| v. | Read it aloud and see how sounds create melody: They have a musical quality when read aloud, so pay attention to the rhythm and flow of the syllables. Use alliteration, assonance, or other sound devices to enhance the musicality of the haiku. Ensure that the syllable count remains 5-7-5. | First Verse: “Pink petals bloom” (5 syllables) Second Verse: “Amidst gentle breeze” (7 syllables) Third Verse: “Nature’s soft ballet” (5 syllables) |
| vi. | Check it for syllables: They traditionally follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern across the three verses. Count the syllables in each verse to ensure they meet the requirements. Adjust the phrasing or choose different words if necessary to maintain the correct syllable count while preserving the haiku’s meaning and imagery. | First Verse: “Pink petals bloom” (5 syllables) Second Verse: “Amidst gentle breeze” (7 syllables) Third Verse: “Nature’s soft ballet” (5 syllables) |
Benefits of Using Haiku
- It helps form images: Concise and sensory language allows poets to create vivid and evocative images. Through carefully chosen words and phrases, they capture a moment or scene, painting a picture in the reader’s mind.
- It helps writers to write concisely and precisely: Composing them requires distilling thoughts and emotions into a limited number of syllables. This practice encourages writers to be economical with their language, conveying powerful messages with brevity.
- It helps poets to try hands in versifying: Structured syllable pattern (5-7-5) provides an opportunity for poets to explore and experiment with the poetic form. This discipline leads to creativity and challenges poets to find new ways to express their ideas within the framework.
- It helps create linking images: Haikus often connect disparate elements in surprising and thought-provoking ways. The juxtaposition of images lead to deeper insights and spark the reader’s imagination, encouraging them to find meaning in the relationships between the images presented.
Literary Device of Haiku in Literary Theory
| Theory | How to Critique Haiku | Specific Example of Critique |
| Formalism and New Criticism | Analyze the haiku’s form, structure, and language, focusing on the syllable pattern (5-7-5), imagery, and thematic elements. Assess how the verses contribute to the overall impact and coherence of the poem. | Example Critique: “Pink petals bloom/Amidst gentle breeze they sway/Nature’s soft ballet” by John Doe shows 5-7-5 syllable structure. It creates a harmonious rhythm. The imagery of blooming pink petals and swaying in a gentle breeze evokes a serene natural scene. It achieves unity and coherence through the skillful use of concise language and sensory images. |
| Postcolonialism | Examine how colonial history and power dynamics influence the haiku. Explore themes of cultural identity, resistance, and the impact of colonization on the portrayal of nature and seasonal motifs. Consider how haikus from colonized regions challenge Eurocentric interpretations. | Example Critique: In the haiku “Bamboo shadows sweep/Over my sandaled feet —/Moon’s all that’s left” by Basho Matsuo, the portrayal of bamboo and sandaled feet may carry cultural significance related to Japan’s history. The haiku invites reflection on the interplay between nature and human presence, with the moon symbolizing the ephemeral essence of existence. The critique highlights the need to acknowledge diverse cultural perspectives in haiku analysis. |
| Feminism | Uncover gender roles, representation of women, and issues of patriarchy in the haiku. Analyze how gender is portrayed, the agency of women or nature, and whether the poem challenges or reinforces traditional gender norms. | Example Critique: In the haiku “A world of dew,/And within every dewdrop/A world of struggle” by Issa Kobayashi, the dewdrops metaphorically represent individuals and their struggles. The haiku subtly questions the perception of women and marginalized groups in society, emphasizing the resilience and challenges faced in their lived experiences. The critique highlights how haikus can challenge gender norms and explore deeper socio-cultural themes. |
| Postmodernism | Explore fragmentation, ambiguity, and the breakdown of traditional structures in the haiku. Analyze how the poem challenges conventional norms, embraces paradoxes, and reflects the complexity of contemporary life. | Example Critique: In the haiku “An old silent pond…/A frog jumps into the pond,/Splash! Silence again.” by Basho Matsuo, the haiku breaks the silence with a sudden splash, disrupting the tranquility of the pond. This haiku plays with paradoxes, combining stillness and action, noise and silence. It invites readers to contemplate the coexistence of opposing elements, reflecting the postmodern theme of embracing complexity and uncertainty. |
Suggested Readings
- Beichman, Janine. Masaoka Shiki: His Life and Works. Cheng & Tsui, 2002.
- Henderson, Harold G. An Introduction to Haiku: An Anthology of Poems and Poets from Basho to Shiki. Doubleday, 1958.
- Higginson, William J. The Haiku Handbook: How to Write, Share, and Teach Haiku. Kodansha International, 1989.
- Ueda, Makoto. The Path of Flowering Thorn: The Life and Poetry of Yosa Buson. Hokuseido Press, 1998.
- Yuasa, Nobuyuki. The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches. Penguin Classics, 1966.