Haikus

Structure Haikus have a very distinct structure They consist of three lines, each with a specific syllable count: 1st line: 5 syllables 2nd line: 7 syllables 3rd line: 5 syllables They do not have to rhyme

Imagery and theme Haikus tend to use strong imagery and themes, often times pertaining to nature Imagery: descriptive words that evoke the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch). Example: “It was dark and dim in the forest” (visual imagery) Example: “The girl ran her hands along the soft fabric ” (tactile imagery) Theme: the subject(s)/topic(s) of a piece of writing Example: Love, Nature, Power, etc.

History Originated in Japan during the 9th-12th centuries as a popular activity Began as a progressive poem called “tanka” where the poem would be passed from person to person, and each individual would add onto the lines that were already there The first person would write the first three lines with a 5-7-5 structure (called hokku) and the next person would add a section with a 7-7 structure The chain would continue with this pattern The name “Haiku” is derived from “hokku” The three “masters” of hokku lived during the 17th century, and their poems are still used as the primary model of haiku writing today (Basho, Issa, and Buson)

Example – Basho Matsuo Basho is considered to be the “Shakespeare” of Japanese poetry This is his most well known poem: Original Japanese English Translation Furu ike wa Kawaza tobikomu Mizu no oto An old pond A frog jumps in The sound of water

Example – Scott Alexander Alexander is a Western 20th century poet By an ancient pond A bullfrog sits on a rock: Waiting for Basho.

Example – James Kirkup Kirkup is a contemporary Western poet In the amber dusk Each island dreams its own night— The sea swarms with gold.

Now you try! Add onto this hokku with two lines that are each 7 syllables long, and then share with the class: Help me, I am trapped In a haiku factory Save me before they

Write your own Hokku Now that you’ve practiced a little, we are going to focus on just the hokku portion of haikus

Before writing Look at the following images and write down any words that come to mind. These could be adjectives describing the scene, feelings, memories, phrases, etc.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Write Choose one of the images to write a haiku about Beside each of the words you brainstormed, write down its number of syllables Start composing lines with your words that reach 5 and 7 syllables Combine your lines together to form a haiku