Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. This style of poetry consists of 17 moras (or on), in three metrical phrases. The three phrases are 5, 7, and 5 moras respectively. Most haiku contain a kigo, which is a seasonal reference, and a kireji, which is a verbal caesura. The Japanese haiku is traditionally printed in a single vertical line. In English, the haiku usually appears in three lines, which is used to parallel the three metrical phrases of the Japanese haiku.
Hokku was the name that was originally given to haiku. Hokku is the opening stanza of an orthodox collaborative linked poem, also called a renga. It was also the opening stanza of renku, which is the later derivative of renga. Standalone hokku was renamed to haiku in the late 19th century by Masaoka Shiki. Haiku is now the term applied retrospectively to all hokku appearing independently of renku or renga, despite when they were written.
In Japanese haiku, there is a kireji, or cutting word, that usually appears at the end of one of the verse's three metrical phrases. Most people find it hard to describe the exact function of the kireji, but what its basic job is, is to lend the verse structural support. The kireji allows the haiku to stand as an independent poem. The one thing about the cutting word is that depending on what word is chosen and where it is placed within the haiku, it can briefly cut the stream of thought. What this does is suggest a parallel between the preceding and following phrases. It can also provide the haiku with a dignified ending because it can conclude the verse with a heightened sense of closure.
Within the English version of haiku, there is no direct equivalent for the kireji. Instead, some poets will use punctuation, such as a dash or ellipse to divide the haiku into two grammatical and imagistic parts; sometimes they will use an implied break. What this does is create a juxtaposition, which prompts the reader to think about the relationship between the two parts.
The other part of the haiku is the kigo. This is a defined word or phrase, which symbolizes or implies which season, is being referred to in the haiku. For traditional Japanese haiku poets the kireji and kigo are requirements, in the English haiku the kireji are not used, instead something else is used to compare and contrast the two events, images, or situations.
English verse is characterized by meter, where Japanese verse counts units, known as on, which is loosely translated as "syllable. There are still subtle differences between these two words. Traditional haiku consists of 17 on, in three metrical phrases of 5, 7, and 5 on. One on is counted for a short syllable, an additional one is counted for an elongated vowel, diphthong, or doubled consonant, and one for an "n" at the end of a syllable. What this means is that a word might only have two syllables in English, but can count for four on in Japanese, such as the word "haibun."
Here are some other forms of poetry that are closely related to the haiku:
• Senryu - poem that is written in similar form, but it emphasizes irony, satire, humor, and human foibles rather than seasons. This type of poem may or may not contain a kigo and kireji.
• Haibun - combination of prose and haiku. This form is often autobiographical or written in the form of a travel journal.
• Haiga - a Japanese style of painting that is based on the aesthetics of haikai, it usually includes a haiku. This began as haiku added to paintings, it was the calligraphic painting of haiku through brushstrokes, the calligraphy added to the power of the haiku.
• Kuhi - this is the craving of famous haiku on natural stone. It has been a popular practice for many centuries and the city of Matsuyama has ove