Japanese Traditional Haiku
Haiku is a Japanese poetry and it was previously known as ‘hokku’. However, in the 19th Century, the Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki gave hokku its new name. Traditional Haiku was structured very well. It consisted of 5, 7, and 5 syllables in three metrical units. These poems are written under different rules and in several languages apart from the traditional Japanese language. The two important components of these poems are “kireji”, which means a cutting word and “kigo”, meaning a “season word”. All the poems must contain these two techniques or aspects to qualify as Haiku.
Techniques
Kireji or the cutting technique – Kireji is a cutting word and it appears at the end of one of the verses and divides the poem into two sections. Both these sections remain independent of each other yet they provoke a different thought in the mind of the reader. The cutting word may end the verse or provide a dignified end. Alternatively, traditional Haiku cutting words can suggest parallel thinking or cut the flowing thoughts.
Kigo or a season word – Kigo symbolizes the season in which the poem was written. It is a seasonal theme of the poem. However, it may not be very obvious but it will be suggestive of the season in which the poem was written. For example, cherry blossoms would indicate spring season. The word spring season will not be used directly in traditional Haiku poems but you have to understand the implied meaning of the word cherry blossoms, such is the art of these poems.
Famous Japanese Writers
Some of the famous Japanese writers are Matsuo Basho, Arakida Moritake, Nozawa Boncho,Takarai Kikau, Onitsura, Yokoi Yayu, Chiyo-ni, Yosa Buson, Kobayashi Issa, Masaoka Shiki, Kawahigashi Hekigoto, Takahama Kyoshi, Smukawa Sokotsu, Taneda Santoka, Ozai Hosai, Ogiwara Seisensui, Natsume Soseki, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa.
Few Famous Poems Of Basho
Fallen sick on a journey,
In dreams I run wildly
Over a withered moor
The first soft snow!
Enough to bend the leaves
Of the jonquil low.
In the cicada's cry
No sign can foretell
How soon it must die.
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