Haiku – some thoughts.

 

There is no direct link with the original Japanese form of Haiku simply because of the differences in spoken and written language.

“Japanese haiku counts sounds, not strictly syllables (the linguistic term is mora—Japanese is a moraic language, not a syllabic one). For example, the word “haiku” itself counts as two syllables in English (hi-ku), but three sounds in Japanese (ha-i-ku). This isn’t how “haiku” is said in Japanese, but it is how its sounds are counted. Similarly, consider “Tokyo.” How many syllables? Most Westerners, thinking that Japan’s capital city is pronounced as “toe-key-oh,” will say three syllables, but that’s incorrect. It’s actually pronounced as “toe-kyo.” So two syllables, right? Actually, no. Rather, it counts as “toe-oh-kyo-oh”—four syllables. Or rather, sounds.” 5-7-5 Essay

Where does this leave the Non-Japanese poet?

I believe Haiku have several elements

• The Haiku should be accessible to the reader, it must make sense even if the meaning behind it requires some thought.
• For me it is principally set in a time and a place. Again it may not be obvious from the Haiku, but the poet will have taken their time and used observation to inspire the writing.
• It shall have three lines, one short, one longer and another shorter.

The first two lines are usually linked with the third giving the reader something to ponder.

Some afficionados can be very rigid in their thinking, but I feel you either appreciate the Haiku or not and it is best not to be too hung up on rules etc.

Haiku is for everyone to write and to enjoy.