April 17th, as good a day as any, to celebrate words
Did you see what I did there! That title is a haiku!
And I can’t believe I almost missed International Haiku Day.
This is something I should probably be up to date on, what with me being partway through my own haiku compilation. After all, I have been investigating the form and want to do it justice.
But I know now.
So I can get on with telling you more about its history, and why Haiku is the best form of poetry. (Potential bias detected, citation required).
According to the Haiku Foundation Website, this date was registered in 2012 by Sari Grandstaff. It was chosen as it fell in the middle of the American National poetry month. A number of events and public exhibitions are held and the public is encouraged to try out their poetic skills. So what is a ‘Haiku’?
What is Haiku?
In its most basic form, a Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines. It uses a structure that contains five -seven- five syllables. Like this one.
While looking up more information for this piece I came across a site that tells you when national days occur. Not only did one site get the date wrong, but it also offered the following first line to its opening Haiku:
Haiku day is here.
As a self-declared, future, possible, expert in training I can point out the problem with that line straight away; it has 6 syllables. The word ‘Ha-i–ku’ uses 3 syllables from the Japanese language.
In fact, the language really lends itself to the form as it is entirely made up of specific syllable sounds that are always pronounced the same (not like pesky English; Through, Enough and Slough for example!)
Traditionally each poem contained ideas involving the seasons, the natural world and the general ephemeral nature of all that is around us.
But as English Haiku has developed, the rules have become slightly more flexible
Haiku Rules: Kigo
There are a number of rules surrounding the writing of Haiku poetry besides using the correct number of syllables.
Traditional forms of the artform contain kigo (季語). These are seasonal words that give context to the piece and are often regional.
Entire books were written called saijiki (歳時記,) that would detail the words and what they represented. It is still possible to buy modern versions in both English and Japanese. These list essential season words to use in your poems that will give them a true Japanese feel.
There is even an online Database.
Some purists will not consider your work a true Haiku if it does not contain a kigo.
This can pose a problem for those of us writing in English as our seasons and the imagery we assign them, are quite different from those used in Japan, and therefore traditional Haiku.
Haiku rules: Kireji
Another requirement of the Haiku purist is the ‘Cutting Word’ or kireji (切れ字).
The concept doesn’t really work with the English language, and could possibly be considered a rule that may potentially limit the form working in other languages.
A cutting word provides a conclusive ending and can be used at the end of any of the three lines. This does work better in Japanese due to their syllabary, their different verb ending and particles (which I am slowly learning)
Trying it out for yourself
Before writing your own work, it is a good idea to read some existing ones. If you opt for traditional Japanese work, that has been translated there are two things you will need to be aware of.
One is that the translation may mean that the 5-7-5 syllable rule no longer applies. The other is that you may not be able to decipher which season being written about as you may not understand the symbolism being used.
You would need to know for example that ‘the moon’ represents Autumn and the cuckoo is a symbol of Summer.
These are very clear cut Japanese symbols that would resonate with native readers but may confuse those who were not aware of the association. What would you use to represent the seasons where you live?
Another more personal take on the subject of kigo, is that if they are region specific, is it really correct to use ones belonging to other countries? Cherry Blossom always reminds me of Spring in Japan. While it also blooms here in England, it does not feel right to use it as a symbol of our Spring.
Unless I intend creating my own saijiki of Bristolian words, I may struggle to come up with seasonal words.
In this case, I want to adapt the genre, while still honouring the traditions involved, so I have taken the 5-7-5 form, and the idea of seasons, and I am running with that.
Working on my book
If I want to avoid using other peoples seasonal words, I’ll need to take a different look at the form. This is why I have decided to concentrate on the ‘Seasons of Life’.
It seems particularly relevant for a midlife crisis survivor! I am currently writing about events and relationships that have shaped my life, and where I hope to go in the future.
I fully intend staying true to the syllable form. Actually, I found it an excellent way of focusing my thoughts.
There is no chance to be extraneous with your words when you have to conform to a framework. By limiting myself in terms of the number of words I am using, the reader is free to interpret the work in their own way.
Now I know there is a day just for Haiku, I suppose I should get on with finishing it. Maybe I will get it done for next year?
Have you had a go at poetry? Do you have a favourite form? I would love to read peoples work, so let me know in the comments.