Staying Awake Newsletter April 19, 2005

Haiku

Haiku is one of the most important forms of traditional Japanese poetry. Haiku is a very short poetic form. Traditional Japanese haiku consisted of three lines of 5, 7, and 5 units each, which are generally applied as syllables, and contained a special word — the kigo — that indicated the season in which the haiku was set.

Some consider that a haiku must also

combine two different images,

be written in present tense,

have a focus on description and

have a pause (the kireji or "cutting word") at the end of either the first or second line.

All such rules are based in the Japanese language and literary tradition and are habitually broken by most poets, especially when adapted for languages other than Japanese (where they can seem arbitrary).

Today's English-language poets produce haiku in one of three ways:

by using three (or fewer) lines of no more than 17 syllables in total;

by using the concept of metrical feet rather than syllables. A haiku then becomes three lines of 2, 3, and 2 metrical feet, with a break or pause after the second or fifth;

by using the "one deep breath" rule: take a deep breath and the reader should be able to read the haiku aloud without taking a second breath.

Senryu

Senryu (literally 'river willow') is a Japanese form of short poetry similar to haiku in construction: three lines with 17 or fewer syllables in total.

However,

senryu tend to be about human foibles

senryu are often cynical or darkly humorous

haiku tend to be about nature

haiku are serious.

Senryu do not need to include a kigo, or season word, like haiku.

The form is named after Edo era haiku poet Senryu Karai (1765-1838), whose collection launched the genre (and hence his name) into the public consciousness. Some senryu skirt the line between haiku and senryu.

Much modern haiku is more similar to senryu than to traditional Japanese haiku. Most English haiku and senryu poets no longer adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable form, which is suitable for the Japanese language, but which may lead English poets to produce over-long and sometimes stilted poems.

Our constant curiosity is key
to watching what's being created. ~ DM

April 19, 2005

- Haiku & Senryu -

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The haiku poet (haijin) writes about a moment in time, a brief experience that stands out. The traditional haiku poet usually focused on nature, although modern poets may have the urban setting as their venue. Often, at least in translation, the subject matter of many Japanese haiku may seem banal, but the subtle linkage or juxtaposition between the two sets of images within a haiku will be found to contain an interesting insight or spiritual message.

Many modern haijin (haiku/senryu poets) use the "one deep breath" rule: take a deep breath and you should be able to read the poems aloud.

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