Haikus

Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetry form of three lines, traditionally totaling 17 morae in a 5-7-5 pattern. In English and other languages, poets often adapt the syllable count, preserving brevity and a single vivid image rather than strict morae. Haiku originated as hokku, the opening stanza of a linked-verse sequence known as renga, and gradually became a standalone genre during the Edo period.

Key features include a focus on nature and the seasons, often signaled by a kigo, a seasonal word, and a kireji, a cutting word, in Japanese. In many non-Japanese haiku, these elements are expressed through imagery and punctuation rather than formal kigo or kireji. The poems aim to capture a moment of perception or insight, frequently achieved through juxtaposition or a shift in viewpoint.

History and figures: Matsuo Bashō, Yosa Buson, and Kobayashi Issa are among the most celebrated early masters. Masaoka Shiki, in the late 19th century, helped modernize and popularize haiku, promoting its contemporary form and terminology. Since then, haiku has been written worldwide in numerous languages and styles, ranging from strict 5-7-5 to freer, experimental approaches.

Related forms include senryu, which shares the three-line structure but emphasizes human nature and humor rather than seasonality; tanka, a longer 5-7-5-7-7 form; and haibun, prose combined with haiku. Haiku are widely taught, published, and practiced in education, literary journals, and online communities, reflecting a global appreciation for concise, image-driven poetry.

Example: An old pond / a frog jumps in / the sound of water.