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What Is Haiku?

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry with 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables that conveys a vivid message. It originated as 'hokku' in tanka poetry and was popularized by masters Basho, Issa, and Buson. A haiku typically references nature and includes a kigo word indicating the season.

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Farhan Isa
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39 views7 pages

What Is Haiku?

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry with 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables that conveys a vivid message. It originated as 'hokku' in tanka poetry and was popularized by masters Basho, Issa, and Buson. A haiku typically references nature and includes a kigo word indicating the season.

Uploaded by

Farhan Isa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is Haiku?

It’s a form of poetry, first made


popular in Japan, which has become
appreciated around the world. Haiku
poets are challenged to convey a vivid
message in only 17 syllables (moras).

“ Spring morning marvel


Lovely nameless little hill
On a sea of mist “

- Samurai, Basho
History
Haiku started out as a popular activity
during the 9th to 12th centuries in Japan called
“tanka.”
The first verse was called a “hokku” and
set the mood for the rest of the verses.
The word “haiku” is derived from “hokku.” 
The three masters of “hokku” from the 17th century were
Basho, Issa, and Buson. Their work is still the model of
haiku writing today.
Structural Rules
In Japan these poems are valued for their
simplicity, openness, depth and lightness.

• Use exactly 17 syllables


• Syllables are arranged in three lines of 5-7-5
• Avoid similes and metaphors
• Refers to a season of the year
What is a Haiku about?

It can describe anything, but are seldom


complicated or hard to understand.

Almost all Haiku has a dominant


impression, or main idea, that appeals strongly
to one of the five senses.
The Seasonal Theme
Each Haiku must contain a kigo, a season word,
which indicated what season of the year
the Haiku is set.
For example, blossoms would indicate spring, snow
would give the idea of winter, mosquitos would imply
summertime. The seasonal words isn’t always that
obvious, you might needs to consider the theme of the
poem to find it.
Cloud appear and bring-
To men a chance to rest from
Looking at the moon

The seasonal word is clouds, indicating the rainy


season.

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