Such poems from the following haiku poets are known for their ability to capture the essence of a simple moment. They should make readers think about natural beauty and how important a falling petal, cool raindrop, or brief sunset is.
What is Haiku Poetry?
Haiku are very short poems, only three lines, that depend on the number of syllables per line rather than a specific rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. Here are the basic elements of the poetic form:
- Structure: Haiku poems consist of three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables each, while the second line has seven syllables. This structure is known as the 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
- Seasonal Reference: Haiku poetry often includes a reference to the season, known as a kigo. These references help to ground the poem in a particular time and place and are often associated with natural phenomena, such as flowers blooming in spring or leaves changing color in autumn.
- Focus on Nature: Haiku poetry typically focuses on natural imagery and themes, such as mountains, rivers, trees, and animals. The objective is to capture the essence of a moment in nature and convey it in a simple and profound way.
Historical Background
Haiku poetry was initially known as hokku, a form of collaborative poetry that was written as the opening verse of a renga, a long series of linked verses. Hokku eventually became an independent form of poetry, and its name was changed to haiku in the 19th century.
The origins of Haiku poetry can be traced back to the 17th century in Japan. The poet Matsuo Basho is considered the father of haiku poetry, as he popularized the form and elevated it to an art form. Haiku poetry gained popularity in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) and became a prominent form of Japanese literature.
Today, Haiku poetry is practiced around the world, and many poets have contributed to its evolution and popularity. Some of the most famous Haiku poets include Basho, Issa, Buson, and Shiki, whose works continue to inspire and captivate readers with their beauty and simplicity.
Famous Haiku Poets and Poetry
Matsuo Bashō (1644 – 1694)
Matsuo Bashō was a famous Japanese poet during the Edo period and is widely regarded as the father of Haiku poetry. Bashō worked as a teacher before devoting himself to poetry.
He was a prolific writer and produced several collections of poetry during his lifetime, including his most famous work, The Narrow Road to the Deep North. This collection of travel essays and poetry is regarded as one of the most influential works of Japanese literature.
Famous Matsuo Bashō Poems
‘The old pond’
This famous poem captures a moment of stillness and sudden movement, creating a sense of contrast and tension in the poem. The poem reads:
Old pond…
a frog jumps in
water’s sound
‘In Kyoto’
This is a slightly lesser-known poem about the poet’s longing to return to the city of Kyoto (the historic capital of Japan). It reads:
In Kyoto,
hearing the cuckoo,
I long for Kyoto.
Other famous Bashō poems include:
- ‘The squid seller’s call’
- ‘Winter solitude’
- ‘A windy day’
- ‘A bee’
- ‘A snowy morning’
Kobayashi Issa (1763 – 1828)
Kobayashi Issa was a Japanese poet during the Edo period and is known for his humorous and playful approach to Haiku poetry. Issa was born in Kashiwabara, Shinano Province, and started writing poetry at an early age. He is considered one of the four masters of Haiku, along with Basho, Buson, and Shiki.
Issa’s life was marked by tragedy and loss, and his poetry often reflects a deep sense of compassion and empathy for all living beings. He is known for his ability to find beauty and humor in even the most difficult situations, and his work is admired for its warmth, simplicity, and emotional depth.
Famous Kobayashi Issa Poems
‘Everything I touch’
This well-loved haiku combines natural images with the poet’s consideration of his relationships. It reads:
Everything I touch
with tenderness, alas,
pricks like a bramble
‘In the thicket’s shade’
This poem also features a human subject, in this case, a woman singing the “rice-planting song.” It reads:
In the thicket’s shade
a woman by herself
singing the rice-planting song.
Some other famous Issa poems include:
- ‘That wren’
- ‘Visiting the graves’
- ‘Napped half the day’
- ‘The pheasant cries’
- ‘Under my house’
Yosa Buson (1716 – 1784)
Yosa Buson was a Japanese poet and painter during the Edo period and is considered one of the four masters of Haiku poetry. Buson was born in Kema, Settsu Province, and started writing poetry at an early age. He also studied painting and became known for his work in the traditional Japanese style.
Buson is admired for his ability to create vivid and striking images in his poetry, often drawing on his skills as a painter. His work is characterized by its visual richness and attention to detail, as well as its emotional depth and sensitivity to the natural world.
Famous Yosa Buson Poems
‘In the moonlight’
This is a beautiful haiku that describes the scent of wisteria on a pleasant evening. It reads:
In pale moonlight
the wisteria’s scent
comes from far away.
‘Not quite dark yet’
This is another nature-based haiku that depicts a twilight scene. It reads:
Not quite dark yet
and the stars shining
above the withered fields.
Some other famous Buson poems include:
- ‘My arm for a pillow’
- ‘Old well’
- ‘Ploughing the land’
- ‘Sparrow singing’
Masaoka Shiki (1867 – 1902)
Masaoka Shiki was a Japanese poet, novelist, and literary critic who is credited with modernizing the Haiku form. Shiki was born in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, and started writing poetry at an early age. He was interested in the natural world and often incorporated images from nature into his work.
Shiki is known for his efforts to modernize Haiku by introducing new techniques and themes. He emphasized the importance of using sensory images in poetry and advocated for a more direct and realistic approach to writing. Shiki’s work had a significant influence on the development of modern Japanese literature, and he is considered one of the most important literary figures of his time.
Famous Masaoka Shiki Poems
‘After killing a spider’
This is a memorable poem in which someone kills a spider and immediately regrets it. The poem reads:
After killing
a spider, how lonely I feel
in the cold of night!
‘A cock crows’
This is a nature-based haiku that describes a “cock” crowing and blossoms blooming at the base of Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan. The poem reads:
a cock crows
at the foot of the small Mt. Fuji
peach blossoms
Other famous Shiki poems include:
- ‘A dog howling’
- ‘A light’
- ‘A lightning flash’
- ‘At the gate’
- ‘Behind the stand’
Other Famous Haiku Poets
Here are a few more famous haiku poets and what they’re known for:
- Chiyo-ni (1703-1775) – a Japanese poet and painter known for her sensitive and delicate Haiku poetry.
- Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) – a Japanese novelist and poet who also wrote Haiku poetry.
- Takahama Kyoshi (1874-1959) – a Japanese poet and editor who was a key figure in the modernization of Haiku poetry. His mentor was Masaoka Shiki.
FAQs
A kigo is a seasonal reference in Haiku poetry that helps to ground the poem in a particular time and place. These references are often associated with natural phenomena, such as flowers blooming in spring or leaves changing color in autumn.
Haiku poetry typically focuses on natural imagery and themes, such as mountains, rivers, trees, and animals. The objective is to capture the essence of a moment in nature and convey it in a simple and profound way.
