Why is Haiku Misunderstood?

Haiku is an often-misunderstood form of poetry. The same characteristics that people associate with the quirkiness of haiku are the same characteristics that give the reader and writer a unique form unlike any other poetry available. The brevity of the haiku is the most notable aspect of this kind of poetry. Serious haiku poets have long since abandoned the traditional five, seven, five-syllable format taught in elementary school. It is best to think of haiku as a snapshot of life, a brief moment the writer was touched by. Now take this moment and look closely at it. Suppose you would like to pass this moment on to someone who did not witness the same event as you. Herein lies the challenge of haiku, to give a feeling to another person using a few choice words.

Although haiku is a relatively new form of poetry, having been around for roughly four centuries, it still possesses a few notable poets. The one true master is Matsuo Basho (1644-1694). Basho was not known in his lifetime as a haiku master, but rather a master of renga. Renga simply was a kind of humorous linked poetry. Haiku originated as the starting verse for renga. In 1686 Basho published what is perhaps the most famous haiku ever written.

old pond...
a frog leaps in
water's sound

Frogs are very popular in the Japanese society and in Basho's day there were thousands if not millions of poems involving frogs. The key to this poem is that "Basho's frog leaps, making a small sound with his action, rather than his voice" (Higginson 9). This attention to detail in the frog's action is a special moment, a moment that astonished Basho. Frogs are noted for their singing not their actions. The old pond brings an image of still water to mind. This haiku stresses one of Basho's keys to creating great haiku. The Master believed that "poems should be created out of a deep unity of the poet and the experience" (10).

Another insight to haiku is that this form of poetry is linked to monks and those wishing to gain spiritual insight. Basho was said to stress to disciples to look deep into the objects before they compose their poems. ""About the pine, learn from the pine; about the reed, learn from the reed" (Hoffman 24). This deep link with spirituality led haiku and poetry to integrate itself into the Japanese society. It was very common for monks and other people alike to compose death poems before they passed away. These poems consisted of amazing information that the poets felt compelled to utter or scribe before death. Basho's own death poem is thought provoking and enlightening:

On a journey, ill:
my dream goes wandering
over withered fields.

Withered fields can be the time that has passed. The moment captured is true and original, an insight into the particular time of Matsuo Basho's last days. The journey is long and could represent life, as he is now ill. No longer having control of your destiny or your dreams as they go wandering back to better times. The haiku creates an image of finality of a great journey that is cut short due to an illness, which could perhaps represent death. The reader is left to ponder and figure out the meaning of these carefully chosen words.

Basho's renga roots occasionally show, as he is now more famous for more serious haiku. The trick and a key element in haiku is taking everyday events and finding special meaning in them. Renga is a less serious form of poetry and this setting for the next poem fits more with renga than haiku. Basho takes a simple setting of a picnic and adds an infinite amount of depth to the situation by writing:

Under cherry trees
Soup, the salad, fish and all....
Seasoned with petals.

This poem is a far cry from the two earlier mentioned haiku. The less serious tone and fun nature are very abundant in the word choices. The line seasoned with petals brings a host of sensations to the reader. The vibrant colors of spring mixed with the goodness of a picnic. One can close their eyes and imagine a blue sky and smell the aroma of fish as well as feel the texture of the petals. All of this and only twelve words to describe it. This is what haiku is all about.

The haiku of Matsuo Basho are a deeply enriching experience that can be enjoyed by anyone willing to take haiku seriously. In reference to his first poem readers can be assured that there are many ways to look at events in life. Basho and other haiku poets try to savor these moments and share them with others. To master haiku the writer simply needs to pay attention to the world around them and find words to describe these small incredible events.

Haiku has found a way into the modern society and not just the modern Japanese society. Today, you can find haiku in Sweden, Germany, Australia, and the United States to name a few countries. There are dedicated websites to haiku as well as membership-based groups. Typing in haibun on any search engine will divulge a great number of resources to any haiku enthusiast. The art of haiku is truly unique and The Master, Matsuo Basho, is responsible for the attitude that started in the Japanese society and spread to most of the world.

Works Cited
Poems:

Basho, Matsuo. "Under Cherry Trees." The Bedford Introduction to Literature, 6th
Edition. Ed. Michael Meyer. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's. 2002. 902.

Basho, Matsuo. "Old Pond." The Haiku Handbook. Ed. William Higginson. New
York: Kodansha America. 1985. 9.

Basho, Matsuo. "Journey Ill." Japanese Death Poems. Ed. Yoel Hoffman. Boston:
Tuttle Publishing. 1986. 82.

Books:

Higginson, William. The Haiku Handbook. New York: Kodansha America, 1985.

Hoffman, Yoel. Japanese Death Poems. Boston: Tuttle Publishing. 1986