Haiku is a concise yet evocative form of poetry originating from Japan. Known for its unrhymed, three-line structure, it totals just seventeen syllables, arranged in a 5, 7, 5 pattern. Emerging in 17th-century Japanese literature, haiku served as a brief counterpoint to more elaborate poetic traditions. Though it wasn’t formally named ‘haiku’ until the 19th century, its essence has resonated for centuries.
Origins and History of Haiku Poetry
The term “haiku” itself is derived from older Japanese poetic forms. It takes the first part of “haikai,” a light-hearted form of linked-verse poem called “renga,” and combines it with the second part of “hokku,” which was the opening stanza of a renga. The “hokku” played a crucial role in setting the tone for the entire “renga” poem. Within its three lines, it traditionally included references to the season, the time of day, and prominent landscape features. This made the hokku almost a standalone poem in its own right.
Initially, “hokku” and “haikai” were used somewhat interchangeably. However, in the late 19th century, what was essentially the hokku became known as haiku. This transition marked its independence from the longer renga sequence, allowing haiku to stand alone as a complete poetic expression. Today, the term haiku encompasses all poems adhering to the 5-7-5 syllable structure, including those earlier poems that were originally known as hokku.
The Structure and Form of a Haiku
The defining characteristic of a haiku is its structure: three lines with a 5, 7, and 5 syllable count respectively. Traditionally, haiku focused on objective descriptions of nature, often alluding to a particular season. The aim was to evoke a specific, though unspoken, emotional response in the reader through these natural images.
This poetic form gained significant recognition during the Tokugawa period (1603–1867), largely due to the influence of the esteemed master, Bashō. In the 1670s, while in Edo (present-day Tokyo), Bashō began to refine the hokku, elevating it into a sophisticated and conscious art form. He pioneered what was considered a “new style” of poetry, with one of his early haiku illustrating this approach:
On a withered branch
A crow has alighted;
Nightfall in autumn.
Bashō’s extensive travels throughout Japan deeply influenced his work, and his experiences became central themes in his verse. His haiku resonated broadly across Japanese society, contributing significantly to the form’s establishment as the most beloved style in Japanese poetry.
Famous Haiku Masters and Evolution
Following Bashō, and especially after the 19th-century revitalization of haiku, the range of subjects expanded beyond the traditional focus on nature. However, the essence of haiku remained: to express much and suggest even more, using the fewest words possible. Other notable haiku masters who contributed to the form’s development include Buson in the 18th century, Issa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Masaoka Shiki in the late 19th century, and Takahama Kyoshi and Kawahigashi Hekigotō in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the dawn of the 21st century, it was estimated that around a million Japanese individuals were actively composing haiku under the guidance of instructors, demonstrating its enduring popularity in its homeland.
Haiku Beyond Japan: A Global Poetic Form
The appeal of haiku extends far beyond Japan. A poem written in the haiku form, or a variation of it, in languages other than Japanese is also termed a haiku. In English literature, the haiku composed by the Imagist poets during the early 20th century were particularly influential in introducing the form to a Western audience. The popularity of haiku experienced a significant surge internationally after World War II. Today, haiku are written and appreciated in a diverse array of languages globally, proving its universal appeal as a concise and powerful poetic form.
