Haiku

Abigail HollingsworthCentral Michigan University

Haiku

“Haiku show[s] us the world in a water drop, providing a tiny lens through which to

glimpse the miracle and mystery of life” (National Endowment for the Humanities).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hypergurl/514534462/ Attribution, Non Commercial

Traditional form of Japanese poetry

Describes nature or every day life

Based on personal reflection

Value is in sudden discovery or revelation

What is Haiku?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ionushi/434663959/Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives

The moment two bubblesare united, they both vanish.

A lotus blooms.-Kijo Murakami (1865-1938)

Great mode of self-expression

Enriches cultural understanding

Captures one moment and its emotions perfectly

Expresses complex ideas through simple observations

Why Haiku?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeysox/2778127854/

Attribution, No Derivatives

Writing and understanding Haiku requires:

Close observationCareful reflectionConcise word choiceAn open mind

Writing Haiku

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The crow has flown away:swaying in the evening sun,

a leafless tree.-Natsume Soseki (1867-1916)

Traditionally three lines, seventeen syllables:FiveSevenFive

This form is strict in Japanese

Sometimes varies:In other languages (e.g. English)When translated original form is lost

Writing Haiku: Form

Consists of two partsDescription/ close-upReflection/ broad view

Each part depends on the other for meaning

Japanese: Break marked by “cutting word”

English: Break marked by punctuation (e.g. colon, long dash, ellipsis)

Writing Haiku: Structure

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeysox/2653881534/sizes/o/

Attribution, No Derivatives

Go to the website below to see “HA-KU,”a movie produced by the Center for International Education and directed by Jackie Herrlin.

http://www.archive.org/details/cie_haku

HA-KU

Important to define the setting/time of year

Must include a kigoWord that indicates

season

When reading, watch for the poem’s kigo

Writing Haiku: Language

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aunto/1136093061/Attribution

A giant firefly:that way, this way, that way, this-

and it passes by.-Issa (1762-1826)

Concentrates on real life and nature

Provides new insights on old situations

Brings attention to things normally overlooked

Creates new significance for every day events

Writing Haiku: Subject

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevewall/2577825055/Attribution, Non Commercial, Sharealike

Find inspiration in your surroundings

Make a list of descriptive words

Five, seven, five syllable form

Include a kigo to indicate season

Create an illustration for your Haiku

Think small!

Write Your Own!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elfboy/3236801364/Attribution

HAIKU for PEOPLE. http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku/#references

Natural Endowment for the Humanities. EDSITEment: Can You Haiku? http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?ID=250

North Carolina Haiku Society. http://nc-haiku.org/haiku-misc.htm

UCLA International Institute. http://www.international.ucla.edu/shenzhen/2002ncta/cunningham/Webpage-HaikuPoems.htm .

Other Resources

Natural Endowment for the Humanities. EDSITEment. Can You Haiku? May 2002. 10 October 2009. <http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?ID=250>.

Toyomasu, Kei Grieg. HAIKU for PEOPLE. 10 Jan. 2001. 10 October 2009. <http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku>.

Herrlin, Jackie. HA-KU. 2004. Internet Archive. 10 October 2009. <http://www.archive.org/details/cie_haku>. (Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives)

Russo, Dave. North Carolina Haiku Society. Unknown. 10 October 2009. <http://nc-haiku.org/haiku-misc.htm>.

Works Cited

In the cicada’s cryNo sign can foretell

How soon it must die.-Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)