introduction to haiku

HaikuThe Write Stuff

Five, seven, then fiveSyllables make a haiku.They can be tricky.

NTK: What is a HAIKU?

• Ancient Japanese form of poetry.• First line (5 syllables)• Second line (7 syllables)• Third line (5 syllables)

NTK: What is a HAIKU?• Influenced by 17th century Japanese courtship

rituals.• Also has roots in Zen Buddhism• Originally focused on nature

Who Writes Haiku?• EVERYONE!!!• It has become a very

popular form of poetry.• Sometimes Haiku

authors are famous, but often they are anonymous.

• Matsuo Basho

Basho’s “Frog” Haiku

Ancient silent pondThen a frog jumped right inSplash goes the water

Furu ike yakawazu tobikomumizu no oto

Contemporary or Urban Haiku

• Haiku are still popular today.

• Still have strict syllable patterns.

• Now they focus on modern life (instead of nature)

• People STILL write haiku about nature.

Traditional Haiku

Some summer’s grassesThat are the only remainsOf warriors dreams.

Urban Haiku

Old woman crossing,Two thin legs and a walker.Good, it’s a long light.

New Tech Haiku

Some people can tellThat I am a new freshman.It must be my shirt.

Urban Haiku

• In Echo, complete the activity linked on the agenda.

• Write a total of four (4) Haiku poems:– 2 Traditional haiku (On nature)– 2 Urban haiku (On modern life)