Haiku: The Art of Japanese Poetry — Part.2
Last week, I shared a little bit about the history of haiku and the evolution of its structure. We talked about its father, Matsuo Basho, and how he sought beauty in every small detail of life. Every detail of our surroundings, no matter how small, can create a beautiful piece of haiku.
Before we begin writing our own haiku, let’s get familiarized more with its structure and the key components that make it a haiku: kigo and kireji. Later, we will talk a little more about Bashou and his banana leaves.
Structure
Traditionally, haiku consists of three lines divided into syllable sets of 3–5–3 or 5–7–5. It is important to note that, compared to Western poetry, these short poems do not necessarily need to rhyme. Haiku shows a deep side of the physical world by taking a deep look at its very existence and leaving a strong feeling or impression on the reader. There are two essential components to a haiku: the use of kigo and kireji. Let us take a look at what these two components are and how to use them.
Kigo
Haiku are recognized for their shortness and their structure. Many of them describe nature and its events — simple things portrayed beautifully. Whether they are talking about nature or thoughts and feelings, haiku usually includes a ki (season) or a kigo (season…