RICHARD "Rascal" JENKINS posted an update in the group ”BACK TO POETRY BASICS”

RICHARD "Rascal" JENKINS · 2025-11-05T11:26:40-06:00

~———————————•§•———————————~ SESSION THREE Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 This session (by request) will be on the Japanese Haiku form. Haiku 俳句 (by Western rules) An unrhymed Japanese poetic form recording or expressing the essence of a moment, that at fist blush might appear to be quite simple, yet is far from it. Still, it is far less complex than the English Sonnet. : ) Haiku has a nature/seasonal theme, but the season must NOT be named in the lines (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring), but defined by metaphor, inference, or imagery, and without title … though, in the Western World, titles are accepted as the norm. The Japanese language is not spoken in syllables, but in a phonetical sound system called morea or mōra. Therefore, in Western rules, the Haiku consists of three lines of 5/7/5 syllables, completely without punctuation, capitalization, or filler words, such as: the, and, that, or, but … so forth. Each line of the Haiku must stand alone as its own statement, without enjambment; although, it may not stray too far from the ambiance with its other lines, nor from the moment and topic of the poem itself. Haiku is best displayed centered and without italics. The first line sets a scene or mood, the second line describes that scene, and the final line concludes with a powerful or meaningful solution, message, or moment that stuns, surprises, or impresses deeply upon the reader. scene/mood meaning/description solution/message [example 1] seashores meander starfish accompany shells sun shines approval [example 2] earthen aromas naked branches touch gray sky crisp leaves hushed at rest [example 3] pure white cold mantle landscaped forests lie embraced silence sleeps below [example 4] raindrops softly weep acorns washed by natures care oak trees home to all [example 5] sway tall trees above dance dappled shades below peacefulness at last examples © rwjenkins Compose a Haiku of your own to share that we can all enjoy and learn from. See ya on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025. ⛩ HISTORY OF HAIKU No single person “invented” Haiku, but Matsuo Bashō, 1644, is considered its master and is the most famous poet associated with its development in 17th-century Japan. The form evolved from the Hokku, the opening verse of a longer poem called Renga, and became a distinct, standalone genre thanks to his work. The name “Haiku” itself was later coined by the poet Masaoka Shiki in the late 19th century. Matsuo Basho: He elevated the Hokku to a refined art form during the Edo period (1600-1868), focusing on a Nature theme, and is now widely recognized as the greatest master of the form. Masaoka Shiki: A Japanese writer who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he was the one who gave the poetry form its current name, “Haiku”. Evolution from Renga: The Haiku originated as the Hokku (the opening verse) of a collaborative poem called Renga. Over time, the Hokku began to be written as a separate, independent poem, the Haiku. ‘Lady Chiyo’) or Chiyo-ni (千代尼; lit. ‘Chiyo the Nun’), was a Japanese poet of the Edo period and a Buddhist nun. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of haiku (then called hokku). Some of Chiyo’s most notable works include “The Morning Glory”, “Putting up my hair”, and “Again the women”. ~———————————•§•———————————~

RICHARD "Rascal" JENKINS posted in the group ”BACK TO POETRY BASICS”

• 5 months, 1 week ago

~———————————•§•———————————~

SESSION THREE
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025
This session (by request) will be on the Japanese Haiku form.

Haiku 俳句
(by Western rules)

An unrhymed Japanese poetic form recording or expressing the essence of a moment, that at fist blush might appear to be quite simple, yet is far from it. Still, it is far less complex than the English Sonnet. : )

Haiku has a nature/seasonal theme, but the season must NOT be named in the lines (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring), but defined by metaphor, inference, or imagery, and without title … though, in the Western World, titles are accepted as the norm.

The Japanese language is not spoken in syllables, but in a phonetical sound system called morea or mōra. Therefore, in Western rules, the Haiku consists of three lines of 5/7/5 syllables, completely without punctuation, capitalization, or filler words, such as: the, and, that, or, but … so forth.

Each line of the Haiku must stand alone as its own statement, without enjambment; although, it may not stray too far from the ambiance with its other lines, nor from the moment and topic of the poem itself. Haiku is best displayed centered and without italics.

The first line sets a scene or mood, the second line describes that scene, and the final line concludes with a powerful or meaningful solution, message, or moment that stuns, surprises, or impresses deeply upon the reader.

scene/mood
meaning/description
solution/message

[example 1]

seashores meander
starfish accompany shells
sun shines approval

[example 2]

earthen aromas
naked branches touch gray sky
crisp leaves hushed at rest

[example 3]

pure white cold mantle
landscaped forests lie embraced
silence sleeps below 
[example 4]

raindrops softly weep
acorns washed by natures care
oak trees home to all 
[example 5]

sway tall trees above
dance dappled shades below
peacefulness at last 
examples © rwjenkins

Compose a Haiku of your own to share that we can all enjoy and learn from.
See ya on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025. ⛩

HISTORY OF HAIKU

No single person “invented” Haiku, but Matsuo Bashō, 1644, is considered its master and is the most famous poet associated with its development in 17th-century Japan. The form evolved from the Hokku, the opening verse of a longer poem called Renga, and became a distinct, standalone genre thanks to his work. The name “Haiku” itself was later coined by the poet Masaoka Shiki in the late 19th century.

Matsuo Basho: He elevated the Hokku to a refined art form during the Edo period (1600-1868), focusing on a Nature theme, and is now widely recognized as the greatest master of the form.  
Masaoka Shiki: A Japanese writer who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he was the one who gave the poetry form its current name, “Haiku”.  

Evolution from Renga: The Haiku originated as the Hokku (the opening verse) of a collaborative poem called Renga. Over time, the Hokku began to be written as a separate, independent poem, the Haiku.

‘Lady Chiyo’) or Chiyo-ni (千代尼; lit. ‘Chiyo the Nun’), was a Japanese poet of the Edo period and a Buddhist nun. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of haiku (then called hokku). Some of Chiyo’s most notable works include “The Morning Glory”, “Putting up my hair”, and “Again the women”.

~———————————•§•———————————~