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SESSION FOUR
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025
This session will be on the Japanese Senryu form.

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SENRYU 川柳
(sin-rew)

A Japanese 3-line, unrhymed form of mostly human theme, similar to the Haiku in that it consists of 3-lines of 5/7/5 syllables each, completely without punctuation or capitalization, and can contain aspects of Nature, as-well, recording the essence of a moment, a thought, a situation, and/or of humorous intent.
Because the Japanese language is not spoken in syllables, but in a phonetical system of sound called morea or mōra teh Haiku and Senryu both follow English/Western rules of 5/7/5 syllables, completely without punctuation, capitalization, or filler words, such as: the, and, or, but – so forth, and without italics, yet, is quite less restrictive than its brother, the Haiku, even allowing enjambment and an optional title.

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]

You⁓

soft as silky sighs
with bright sparkles in your eyes
my hearts sweetest prize

[example 2]

Dating Details

how do you like sex
I like it infrequently
thats one word or two

[example 3]

K A T A N A

s h a r p s a m u ra i s o u l
f o r g e d f o l d e d t e m p e r e d b y f i r e
v i c t o r i o u s d r e a m s

[example 4]

Love Stroll

blessed in silent joy
two hearts strolling share as one
lonely nevermore

examples © rwjenkins

HISTORY OF SENRYU
Senryu originated in Japan during the Edo period (1602–1869) as a humorous, satirical, and human themed format of verse.
The form is named after Karai Senryu (pen name of Karai Hachiemon), an 18th-century poet who became famous for judging and publishing collections of these short poems, most notably the widely well known Haifuyanagidary anthology.
The tradition also continues today as an important way to express human experience, especially in contexts of adversity, such as the Japanese American internment camps of the mid-20th century.

Compose a Senryu of your own to share that we can all enjoy and learn from.
Have fun with this unique form, and we’ll see ya on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. ⛩

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