haiku

Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry traditionally arranged in three lines with a total of 17 syllables or morae in Japanese, usually 5-7-5. In Japanese, morae, not syllables, determine the count. In English and other languages, haiku is often rendered in three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, though many poets emphasize brevity, imagery, and a moment of insight rather than strict syllable counting. A haiku commonly includes a kigo, a seasonal word or phrase, and may include a kireji, a cutting or pause word that creates a juxtaposition or emotional pivot.

Historically, haiku evolved from hokku, the opening stanza of renga, and became recognized as a standalone form during the Edo period (17th–18th centuries). Notable masters include Matsuo Basho, Yosa Buson, and Kobayashi Issa, who popularized concise nature poetry. Masaoka Shiki, in the late 19th century, helped modernize and codify the form and coined the term haiku.

In practice, haiku concentrates on concrete observation, sensory detail, and an immediate moment, often in the present tense. The image tends to be terse, and the emotional effect arises from juxtaposition rather than explicit explanation. The form has been widely adopted beyond Japan, with poets worldwide experimenting with language, imagery, and seasonal references. A related but distinct form, senryu, uses similar length and structure but centers on human nature, often with humor or irony.