format of haiku poem Format of a Haiku Poem

The Traditional Form of Haiku Poetry

Haiku originated from the conventional type of Japanese poetry called Tenga. Tenga made use of thirty one syllables which were broken down into 5, 7, 5, 7, 7. Japanese writers and poets continued to modify this sequence of syllables and finally, they unanimously agreed on following the 5, 7, 5 links of syllables in poetry.

Therefore, true Haiku strictly follows the pattern of seventeen syllables which are split up into 5, 7, 5 syllables. Generally, Haiku does not exceed three verses. This means that the first verse of Haiku must be based on five syllables, second on seven and third on five syllables respectively.

Variations in Haiku Format Over Time

So far, we have learnt that Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry which is still known for its simplicity and logical implication. Haiku attained the status of independent poetic form in the last decade of the nineteenth century.

Many poets have made significant contribution in creating Haiku verses and notable names include Matsuo Basho, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac and Donald Hall.

Basic Elements for the Style and Form of Haiku Poems

Communication Style of Haiku

The aim of Haiku is to communicate to the readers, a deep thought in just three lines and seventeen syllables.

Subjects and Themes of Haiku Poetry

Haikus are not usually complicated. They are often based on seasonal themes and give common people a broad and in depth view of everyday situations and human psychology.

Haiku is strictly written in praise of nature and four seasons. The objective of a Haiku is to paint natural scenery along with its hidden meaning in the mind of readers.

Seasonal Words

The format of Haiku requires that a stanza must consist of a seasonal word or ‘kigo’. It is around a seasonal word that the three verses of Haiku are weaved. Examples of seasonal words could be fog, breeze, sun, leaves, clouds etc.

Cutting Words

A cutting word or Kireji is also an essential rule followed in formatting a Haiku. A cutting word is usually a punctuation mark such as a dash, colon or a comma; it is put between two verses to build a connection.

Common Formatting Issues with Haiku Writing

Haiku was originally written in Japanese language. When its popularity expanded to other regions, a strong need to translate Japanese Haiku to English sprang up. The translators pointed out that Japanese verse is primarily syllabic rather than metered or rhymed.

Moreover, Japanese syllables called ‘on’ or ‘onji’ are different as compared to those in English. An onji is a very short sound unit which when translated into English takes an elaborated form. Therefore, when Japanese Haiku is translated into English, the syllable rule of 5, 7, 5 is not applicable. Doing so would simply make the stanza illogical and garbled.

So whenever translators are translating Haiku from Japanese to English, they follow the syllable rules of English poetry. Flip through any contemporary Haiku journals, and you will notice that Haiku verses in Japanese set perfectly within the domain of seventeen syllables whereas in English, syllables are more.

Examples of Different Forms of Haiku Poems

To get a good understanding on formatting of Haiku, go through the following examples:

Silence around us
Our watchful eyes hear the world
Hands do the talking

As the wind does blow
Across the trees, I see the
Buds blooming in May

Silence around us
Our watchful eyes hear the world
Hands do the talking

As the wind does blow
Across the trees, I see the
Buds blooming in May

White light shining through
patterns along the blank wall
brightening my day

Trusting the Buddha, good and bad,
I bid farewell
To the departing year.