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There are various Japanese Forms of poetry based on syllable structure (see Haiku, Tanka, and Haibun. It’s all poetry to me. Learn the difference.), much like many nations and cultures of the world (see How to Write an Espinela or Décima Poem). The Japanese Haiku poem is probably the most challenging due to its low syllable constraints. (5/7/5 or 3/5/3 or 2/3/2) If you really want to be challenged, try a 1/2/1. I don’t think this is really a Haiku form, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. Examples further down the page.
This post discusses How to write a Haiku Poem in English Form. Haiku purists in the Japanese style attempt to write a Haiku that can be read in one breath. This means it’s minimal in word choice while vivid with imagery and short at the same time. The more you write, the easier it becomes to exclude words such as the, is, and there, etc. from your thoughts while thinking of your poems and count syllables in your head in the middle of a drive to work or store. I find myself tapping with my fingers counting syllables in the strangest locations.
Six things to remember about Traditional Haiku form:
- You have three lines of poetry.
- 17 total syllables, some say sounds, in the 5/7/5 pattern. (The syllables of words may vary due to the country’s English you speak.)
- You normally tell two opposing images in the poem.
- Lines one and two should read as a complete sentence and lines two and three should read as a complete sentence. Easier than it sounds.
- Haiku do not have titles/names.
- You normally use mostly descriptive words and as few filler words as possible, such as the, and, there, is, etc. Note lower in the post my example 3/5/3 version of the 5/7/5 Haiku I provide as an example. You get the same message with each version.
Notice the word normally. You can have the poem be about aspects of the same thing, but normally you look at it from two different ways.
Artistic and traditional elements include kigo or words that are related to seasons: (Learn more about kigo here, a different website. The following through Kigo List T-Z are from the same site.)
Kigo list A-J
Kigo List K-S
Kigo List T-Z
Noted on the site that not all words are Kigo. “Some are haiku TOPICS (keywords) to be used during the whole year.” There are several helpful links in the site’s sidebar.
You use these elements:
- to give a visual of whatever you are attempting to relay
- and usually include the season you write it in
Remember you can use 3/5/3 or 2/3/2 syllable structures as well as many others, but the three below are plenty to start with.
Three examples of the same haiku using the different syllable structures.
5/7/5 Example
The tree is falling,
Down among the river rocks,
Fish bring forth new life.
Lines one and two read as: The tree is falling down among the river rocks.
Lines two and three read as: Down among the river rocks, fish bring forth new life.
- The tree is falling and dying among the rocks of the river
- And fish are living and bring life among the rocks of the river
- Two opposite things happening.
- Note the capitalization and punctuation in the haiku. It is important to use those wisely to convey your intended message.
3/5/3 Example
tree falling
among river rocks
fish new life
2/3/2 Example
tree falls
mid stream’s rock
new life
1/2/1 Example
tree
feeds water
life
Strangely enough, I like the 2/3/2 version the best and this is the first time I’ve tried one. This is an update on September 12, 2020. The original post is from July 02, 2014. As you can see, over six years and my first try.
Opposites are not a MUST, but are the true way of Haiku and add to the challenge. And you don’t want to reveal to much in the haiku so the reader is able to make an interpretation. Do not let that prevent you from writing. The more you write the closer you get to achieving true Haiku.
As Matsuo Bashō put it,
“The haiku that reveals seventy to
eighty percent of its subject is good.
Those that reveal fifty to sixty percent,
we never tire of.”
My original Haiku reveals 100%.
The tree is falling,
Down among the river rocks,
Fish bring forth new life.
Can I take the Haiku and make it fifty to sixty percent?
Life splinters apart,
Down among slippery mounds,
Life brings forth new life.
In this new version, the same thing is said but also leaves some interpretation to the reader, which in a way I like to do for the reader. Give the reader something they can connect within their own way. It is easy to slip away from writing haiku this way as you begin to play around with different themes.
That is the basic way I usually like to write Haiku but often veer off into another message. It is fun, challenging, and an artform. I am not saying I am an artist, but I do believe those who can do it well, are. I am still a finger painter in this world, but I enjoy staining my skin in the ink.
To get to the point where you can consistently write like a true Haiku artist it could take years, but writing is the purpose and eventually, you get there, if that’s where you want to go. Otherwise, enjoy the way you want to write and the message you wish.
Below should be all you need to help with Haiku: Sure there are plenty of sites you’ll discover, some thatt even write the haiku for you, but why?
- The best syllable counter is the dictionary. Others I’ve used will give different counts to the same word or the same Haiku. Stick to the dictionary. I’m deleting the syllable counter link from my poetry challenge with my next challenge, 10/12/2020. https://www.merriam-webster.com/
- For synonyms, thesaurus.com. It also provides antonyms and the drop box where you enter your word also includes DEFINITIONS as an option.
- The Kigo Lists
For other types of Haiku click and read-Haiku, Tanka, and Haibun. It’s all poetry to me. Learn the difference.
To learn Freku, which I came up with, click and read – NEW FORM of Haiku & Poetry.
To learn the Shi Rensa or Four Chain haiku, click and read – Four Chain | Shi Rensa Haiku.
For examples of my own Haiku offerings click here and you will leave this page.
For a list of the weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenges and the current challenge post I host, click here and you will leave this page.
Much Respect
Ronovan
Originally posted July 02, 2014.
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