The Japanese Haiku--Historical Poetry Popular Today

One of the oldest forms of Japanese poetry is the Haiku. It is short in length and originated from the Renga. The famous Japanese poet, Basho, made this type of poetry well known. This form of poetry is written today, and the poems of the ancient Japanese writers have been translated and are still read and enjoyed.

Haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line in Japanese, but in English they appear in three lines, to resemble the three metrical phrases of Japanese. A kireji, or cutting word, is used at the end of one metrical phrase. Depending on which word is chosen and its position in the verse, it briefly alters the stream of thought, suggesting a connection between the preceding and following phrase, or provides a dignified ending to the verse.

Since kireji has no equivalent in English, poets use punctuation, like a dash or ellipsis to divide a haiku into its two grammatical parts. This helps create a juxtaposition, forcing the reader to reflect on the relationship between the two sections. Traditionally a kigo also appears in the poem, implying the season in which the poetic image takes place. Kigo aren’t always used by modern writers of “free-form” Japanese Haiku.

Japanese verse counts sound units similar to a syllable, known as “on.” There are, however, differences between an “on” and an English syllable. English Haiku writers use between ten to fourteen syllables with no formal pattern except the three line format.

Basho’s poems are among the best known of Japanese Haiku. Almost all the ancient Haiku poets have been translated into English, these are examples of Haiku by Basho..

old pond . . .
a frog leaps in
water’s sound

The wind of Mt. Fugi
I’ve brought on my fan!
a gift from Edo

the first cold shower
even the monkey seems to want
a little coat of straw

The Haiku as a poetic form is a real gift we have been given by the Japanese, and it is wonderful that this gift continues to be used by poets in many languages. Throughout centuries, the Haiku has continued to be written by Japanese poets. Their works have helped continue the popularity of this poetic form.

Kobayashi Nobuyki (1763 - 1828) was born to a farming family, but began writing to help him overcome the sadness of his mother’s death and the torment he underwent from his step-mother and step-brother. In 1777 he traveled to Tokyo to study under master poets such as Sogan and Chikua, who taught him the art of Haiku. He supported himself while attending the Kasushika poetry school. Kobayashi became a teacher at the school when he was 28, but his “modern” style of Haiku didn’t fit with their expectations of him.

After traveling Japan’s provinces for two years, Seibi Natsume became his patron and he began writing under his pen name (Issa.) When he returned to Tokyo he published his first poetry collection: Tabishui.

Sadness continued in his life. His four children all died in infancy, and then his wife as well. His one solace was the reputation he was gaining as a leader of the Haiku form. His style was open and natural, and his work was read by many who saw its relevancy to daily life. He rejuvenated the Haiku form, and left over 20,000 poems regarding nature, life and vulnerability.

In spring rain
a pretty girl
yawning.

blossoms at night,
and the faces of people
moved by music.

Issa did remarry, and had a daughter who was born after his death.-------------------

Yosa Buson was famous as both a Haiku poet and a painter. He was born in Osaka, Japan and both his parents died while he was still young. He moved to Tokyo to study painting and poetry in the tradition of Basho. Buson traveled through northern and western Japan, making his home in Kyoto in 1751.

Gradually returning to Haiku poetry, he led a return to Basho’s style and rid the poems of the humor which had crept in. His poems are more consciously composed, showing enhanced evocation.

Dawn--
fish the cormorants haven't caught
swimming in the shallows.