Haiku

While reading the book “An Exaltation in Forms” I learned about the linguistic structure of the Haiku. The Haiku poetic form is an ancient style of poetic structure which was introduced to us by Matsuo Basho. It was strongly based around the Buddhist religion and its connections with nature. As the Haiku became more modernized and picked apart by other European religions it changed. This is because of the way nature is viewed among those many different religions. “An important aspect to keep in mind as a Western reader or writer of Haiku is the difference between Christian and Buddhist concepts of nature” (Chu 218).

The form of a Haiku is unique and it is based around a more lyrical interpretation. The Haiku’s form also typically runs in a five-seven-five syllable count. However, the Haiku describes the rhythmic scheme as beats much rather than syllables.

One poem I chose to analyze was Yosa Buson’s Haiku which follows the traditional guidelines of the Haiku. It is also a traditional Haiku as well, Yosa’s poem relates back to Buddhist views on nature. “In Buson’s Haiku, the tree, by virtue of being stripped to its origin and essence, seems to impart a sense of peacefulness”(Chu 218). Most modernized Haiku’s show less appreciation for nature as opposed to traditional Haiku’s.

Citation:

Chu, Jean Hyung Yul. “Haiku.” An Exaltation on Forms: Contemporary Poets Celebrate the Diversity of Their Art. Edited by Annie Finch and Katherine Varnes. U of Michigan P, 2002, pp. 217–222.