What is Haiku?

Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form that has attracted readers and poets worldwide for centuries. Haiku poems originated in the 8th century. Japan had four masterful haiku poets known as the "four greats": Matsuo Basho, Kobayashi Issa, Masaoka Shiki, and Yosa Buson. The hallmark of this poetic form is its simple structure and concise phrases that together provide a glimpse into the universal essence of life. Despite its brevity, the goal of a haiku is to capture the great beauty and truth in the small moments.

Describing the seasons was the original purpose of haiku, and even today, the focus is often on nature and its changes throughout the year. While the poems may seem simple, the words are carefully chosen to depict observations about life and the human experience. Traditional haiku contains a kigo, a word or phrase that places it in a specific season. Describing the season with a single word gives the haiku its concise expression. Some of the more classic kigo include sakura (cherry blossom) for spring, fuji (wisteria) for summer, tsuki (moon) for autumn, and samushi (cold) for winter. By listening attentively to what nature has to say, humans can come closer to the cycles of life and find lessons often forgotten in modern society.

Matsuo Basho - one of the masters

Historians regard Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) as one of the greatest masters of haiku poetry. Thanks to him, haiku became a popular and beloved art form that embodies the simple, yet often elusive, wisdom of nature and humanity's interaction with it. Born in 1644 in the Iga Province of Mie Prefecture, and passing away in 1694 in Osaka, he was a Japanese poet now known as the father of haiku and the foremost practitioner of classical Japanese haiku, even though the term "haiku" was coined 200 years later. His poetic journeys throughout the country gave him rich insights into the variations of nature and the lives of people.  

Basho saw haiku as a means to convey insights, enlightenment, and an understanding of what it means to be human on earth. By anchoring his haiku in natural elements such as trees, flowers, rain, or moonlight, he captivates readers in a sense of infinity and universal harmony.

Basho had a significant influence on subsequent haiku poets and created the style known as "shofu" (brief striking word). By using simple words, Basho successfully reflects the authenticity of the moments he captures in his poems.

Today, Matsuo Basho's legacy lives on in global poetry, and his haiku continues to inspire and captivate poets and readers worldwide. He left behind an outstanding treasure trove of haiku poems that serve as a reminder of the importance of being present in everyday life and understanding the magic of nature and its interplay with the human soul.

Famous & beautiful Haiku

Here you will find a collection of haiku that we have taken a liking to and that we believe can enrich your senses and be thought-provoking. In our blog, you will find a collection of Haiku that fits the season you are in or the season you long for. 

旅に病んで　夢は枯野を　かけ廻る

Tabi ni yande/ Yume wa kareno wo/ Kake meguru

 Falling sick on a journey 
My dream goes wandering 
  Over a field of dried grass 

(This is one of Matsuo Basho's last haiku, 1694.
A farewell poem on one of his final journeys.)

Write your own Haiku - Step by step

Haiku is a short poem consisting of three lines with a syllable arrangement of 5-7-5. With just seventeen syllables, haiku is a form that demands precision and sharpness to convey a complex feeling or fleeting observation. Despite its strict structure, you can stretch the boundaries when writing a haiku. Emotion and message always surpass an overly strict structure.

STEP 1 - Find inspiration in nature

Haiku is about capturing nature's beauty in a simple and authentic way. Go out into nature, for example, in a Japanese garden, observe the landscape, and discover small details that capture your attention. Perhaps a blooming flower, a babbling small waterfall, or a chirping bird - anything can be the seed of your haiku!

STEP 2 - Structural guide, Think in 5-7-5

Haiku consists of three lines with syllables of 5-7-5. Count the syllables in each line to create the perfect balance. Do not be afraid to cut words or be creative with the syllable arrangement.

STEP 3 - Open your senses and feel your emotions

Haiku is not primarily about counting syllables. Try to capture the feeling in a fleeting observation with a core filled with wisdom. Simplicity is often the most difficult to achieve. Think about the mood you are in and what you feel like conveying about the stage of life you are in. Are you calm right now? Are you amazed by something? Do you feel joy, sorrow, or something more nuanced? Feel it in your entire body and let emotion guide the word, then let the word evoke the feelings when you read your haiku in the future.

STEP 4 - Use vivid images

Instead of saying "the flower is beautiful," try to paint a vivid picture with your words. For example, "A sea of roses glistens". Which of these phrases resonates with you more? Bring the words to life and let them empower and motivate you when you need it most.

STEP 5 Play with words

Haiku can be playful and clever! Play with words and their multiple, often subtle, meanings. You can, for example, combine unusual words or create wordplay. Playfulness is a pillar of Japanese culture. What would life be without play? 

STEP 6 - Capture the magic of the season

Traditionally, haiku includes a reference to the seasons. Try to capture the magic the current season whispers in your ear. This will help you establish a deeper connection with nature and enhance the essence of your haiku.

Example:

Spring misses you now (5 syllables)

Flowers await your dance (7 syllables)

Together soon we'll be (5 syllables)

STEP 7 - Avoid forcing anything. Give time and have fun

Write several haiku and let your words mature. Sometimes it takes time to find the right words and emotions. Have fun with the process and enjoy creating these small works. Let your creativity flow, and let nature be your best source of inspiration. Welcome to an amazing journey where you can explore the subtle beauty that the world offers us every day. Express your emotions, and soon you will see more dimensions of the world. Let yourself be touched by the world, by others' poems, and be aware that you also deeply touch others with your gifts of life.