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. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
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Haiku Lesson One : Introduction to Haiku
by Caleb Mutua
INTRODUCTION TO HAIKU
Haiku is an expression of a moment in which something happened that caught the poet's attention. A haiku poet is called "haijin".
Like a well taken photograph, haiku captures the present moment and at the same time preserves the special moments in three simple lines.
Where do we get haiku from?
Our environment is a rich source of inspiration. We should observe keenly the changes in our surroundings in order to write good haiku. Notice old and new things: the new fruit in the market, the light rain in the afternoon, the full moon at night or holiday celebrations. Find the simplest words and phrases to share with others your encounters in your haiku.
Essentials of Haiku
- Kigo (Season word)
- Short-Long-Short, three lines
- Kireji (Cut marker)
Each essential will be covered in the next class.
Keep it Simple and Clear.
Haiku is simple and should be simply written. Use of complicated words diverts the attention of the reader to the word rather than to the poem itself. ‘Big words’ also make it hard for readers to understand the poem and can easily lead to misinterpretations. A clear haiku does not leave question marks and confusion in the reader’s mind.
Read it Back
After you have written a haiku, assume you are the reader who will read your haiku; knowing nothing about what you observed. It is helpful to read the haiku again and again loudly to yourself or your friend to ensure that it does not sound like one long sentence and that there is a pause somewhere in your haiku. Listen to the rhythm, make sure the lines are not too hard to pronounce and that they flow smoothly as you read them aloud.
Why write haiku / why join Kenya Saijiki?
1.
For genuine love of poetry.
Most importantly, for enriching our lives through experiences and thoughts of different haijin in their poems, narratives and diaries. Observing and writing haiku should be a worthy use of each haijin’s leisure time.
2.
Kenya Saijiki has the most active haiku writers in the whole of Africa. It is a Kenyan forum that continues to provide an arena for members’ self discovery, seasonal consciousness and critical appraisal of their work. Shared haiku provoke discussions that bring enlightenment and knowledge to all members. A wide range of cultural information about Kenya and other parts of the world is preserved at member’s disposal in the Kenya Saijiki web pages. It is free to join.
3.
Writing haiku helps individuals understand and appreciate the Kenyan way of life, giving us a sense of belonging. Haijin also get to understand, respect and appreciate their diversity. This is further emphasized by occasional excursions that bring together all its members to participate in writing competition and appreciating other people’s haiku.
4.
While today’s world has dehumanized relations by constant pursuit for wealth, Kenya Saijiki provides its members with love, care and true friendship. Relationships are not material oriented and members shape each other’s attitude and behaviour for the better.
5.
Writing and observing haiku improves our communication skills. Careful choice and use of words is greatly emphasized. Despite its simplicity, haiku trains haijin on how to construct vivid images using simple words in their different compositions and at the same time improving their vocabulary. Haijin are also taught about how to use their five senses of perception in observing the world around them.
6.
Haiku club members are taught computer skills that enable them operate a computer and use the internet in order to be able to share their own haiku with the rest of the members through the internet. These lessons are offered freely to all Kenya Saijiki members and a certificate is awarded upon completion of the course.
7.
Observing and writing haiku teaches us to be aware of our environment and to care and protect our surroundings. We learn to take note of the seasons and realise how nature changes throughout the year. We learn more about human festivals and celebrations that recur at the same time each year.
8.
Haiku draws us closer to God. By observing nature around them, haijin see beyond the man-made world and appreciate the marvellous creative works of our Grand Creator that attest to His wisdom and love for humankind.
Conclusion
Just like any other acquired taste, loving and appreciating haiku does not come naturally to any of us; constant practice and exposure to other people’s haiku is needed.
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
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Further Reference
Teaching Children about Haiku
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5/29/2010
5/28/2010
Haiku Lesson Two
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. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
.................................................................................
Haiku Lesson Two : KIGO
by Caleb Mutua
Introduction
Kigo is a word indicating the season in which the haiku is written. It does not only refer to bees, butterflies, green plants ctc. but to their changes within each season. Season words include the seasonal aspects in human life, such as ceremonies and festivals, lifestyle and food, as they change within the seasons. Traditional Japanese haiku are about the changes of the season (not simply about nature !! ) and the season words help to express this change. Because a kigo is very important in a haiku, it is sometimes called the lifeblood of the haiku, or the navel of the haiku. By using season words that reflect the nature of our country and its changes, the ceremonies and festivals we celebrate, we tell the world about our culture and way of life through haiku. It is therefore, very important for us to use Kenyan kigo that fit our cultural background.
Saijiki is a collection of season words. In Kenya, we have already started collecting season words. All haijin are requested to be conscious of their environment in order to identify new season words that can be added in Kenya Saijiki; even in Japan there are now movements to collect new kigo from rural areas, to compile "local saijiki" with local kigo. The following are some of the season words in their respective seasons that Kenyan haijin have collected.
Hot dry season
(roughly November to March, with January being the hottest month)
Buying school uniforms, Cassia blossom, Caterpillar, Hairy Caterpillar, Census, Christmas, Dust , Exam results, Form One entrants and monolisation, Frangipani, Plumeria, Goat Meat, Jamhuri Day (12 December), January, Maasai Cattle, Green Maize, Mango, New Year, Paying school fees, Peaches, Plums, Start of new school year , Sweating, Water shortage , drought, World AIDS Day
Long rains (roughly March to May)
Bombax blossom , First rainfall, Imminent rain, Bullfrogs, Easter, Flooding, Flying ants or termites, Gumboots, Heavy raindrops Ibis (Hadada), Labour Day, Mosquitoes, Mud, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Power failure, Puddle, Stepping stones, Umbrella
Cool dry season
(roughly from June to September, with July being the coldest month)
Avocado pear (Kikuyu : Mûkorobîa), Bukusu Initiation / Circumcision, Day of the African Child (16 June), Dust, Frangipani, Plumeria, freezing Jiko (brazier), Maasai Cattle (Masai Cattle), Maize, Green Maize, Martyrs’ Day Uganda, Nairobi Bomb Day (7 August), Nairobi International Trade Fair (end of September),Oranges (Swahili Mchungwa), Sesbania Tree (Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.), start of University year… (Please suggest more season words)
Short rains (roughly October and November)
Aramanthus,Bullfrogs, First rainfall, Imminent rain, Ocober rain, Flamboyant tree, Flooding, Flying ants or termites, Graduation ceremony, Gumboots, Jacaranda blossom, Heavy raindrops, Kenyatta Day, Moi Day, Mosquitoes, Mud, Nairobi Marathon, Power failure. Puddles, School exams: KCSE / KCPE, Stepping stones, Tipu tree, Umbrella
One season word is enough in haiku. Ensure you have used a SEASON WORD and not the name of the SEASON. For instance: use mud, umbrella or puddle and not “rainy season” because the words themselves reflect that season.
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
.................................................................................
Haiku Lesson Two : KIGO
by Caleb Mutua
Introduction
Kigo is a word indicating the season in which the haiku is written. It does not only refer to bees, butterflies, green plants ctc. but to their changes within each season. Season words include the seasonal aspects in human life, such as ceremonies and festivals, lifestyle and food, as they change within the seasons. Traditional Japanese haiku are about the changes of the season (not simply about nature !! ) and the season words help to express this change. Because a kigo is very important in a haiku, it is sometimes called the lifeblood of the haiku, or the navel of the haiku. By using season words that reflect the nature of our country and its changes, the ceremonies and festivals we celebrate, we tell the world about our culture and way of life through haiku. It is therefore, very important for us to use Kenyan kigo that fit our cultural background.
Saijiki is a collection of season words. In Kenya, we have already started collecting season words. All haijin are requested to be conscious of their environment in order to identify new season words that can be added in Kenya Saijiki; even in Japan there are now movements to collect new kigo from rural areas, to compile "local saijiki" with local kigo. The following are some of the season words in their respective seasons that Kenyan haijin have collected.
Hot dry season
(roughly November to March, with January being the hottest month)
Buying school uniforms, Cassia blossom, Caterpillar, Hairy Caterpillar, Census, Christmas, Dust , Exam results, Form One entrants and monolisation, Frangipani, Plumeria, Goat Meat, Jamhuri Day (12 December), January, Maasai Cattle, Green Maize, Mango, New Year, Paying school fees, Peaches, Plums, Start of new school year , Sweating, Water shortage , drought, World AIDS Day
Long rains (roughly March to May)
Bombax blossom , First rainfall, Imminent rain, Bullfrogs, Easter, Flooding, Flying ants or termites, Gumboots, Heavy raindrops Ibis (Hadada), Labour Day, Mosquitoes, Mud, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Power failure, Puddle, Stepping stones, Umbrella
Cool dry season
(roughly from June to September, with July being the coldest month)
Avocado pear (Kikuyu : Mûkorobîa), Bukusu Initiation / Circumcision, Day of the African Child (16 June), Dust, Frangipani, Plumeria, freezing Jiko (brazier), Maasai Cattle (Masai Cattle), Maize, Green Maize, Martyrs’ Day Uganda, Nairobi Bomb Day (7 August), Nairobi International Trade Fair (end of September),Oranges (Swahili Mchungwa), Sesbania Tree (Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.), start of University year… (Please suggest more season words)
Short rains (roughly October and November)
Aramanthus,Bullfrogs, First rainfall, Imminent rain, Ocober rain, Flamboyant tree, Flooding, Flying ants or termites, Graduation ceremony, Gumboots, Jacaranda blossom, Heavy raindrops, Kenyatta Day, Moi Day, Mosquitoes, Mud, Nairobi Marathon, Power failure. Puddles, School exams: KCSE / KCPE, Stepping stones, Tipu tree, Umbrella
One season word is enough in haiku. Ensure you have used a SEASON WORD and not the name of the SEASON. For instance: use mud, umbrella or puddle and not “rainy season” because the words themselves reflect that season.
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
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5/27/2010
Haiku Lesson Three
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
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Haiku Lesson Three : Kire and Kireji
by Caleb Mutua
Introduction
Kire is the Japanese word for the "cut" or break between two parts of a haiku.
Kireji means "cutting word", "cut marker" or "cutting sign".
We know that one haiku consists of two ideas or images. The first of the two ideas takes the first line while the second takes the last two lines. Equally good, the first idea is written in the first two lines and the second idea comes in the last line. The kire (the break) shows where the first idea ends and the second idea begins. In English language haiku, the cut marker is often written like this -- (two hyphens).
The purpose of the CUT within a haiku is to cut the poem and show that there are two ideas. The cut is not a substitute or abbreviation for things you wanted to say and had to leave out because of the shortness of haiku. You have to decide what you really want to say, what is really important in your context, and say it all.
Remember this:
The haiku has TWO ideas,
separated by one SINGLE cut marker.
Example of a cut (kire) after line one:
sunny day --
teachers discussing
under a tree
Line 1 contains a statement. This statement is not continued in the following line; instead, we have a cut. Lines 2 and 3 are one phrase which can be read together.
Example of a cut (kire) after line two:
the sun emerging
from behind a cloud --
June showers
When you read, you will notice that lines 1 and 2 are one phrase; they belong together, while line 3 is on its own. Notice how the cut has separated lines 1 and 2 (which form one idea) from line three (which is another idea).
When you write your haiku and place the cut marker, ensure that the sentence does not run on but that there is a break. When you have put the kireji in your haiku and the text still runs on (the whole haiku still reads like one long sentence), then that kireji is not REAL!
For example, the kireji in the following haiku is not real because the whole haiku reads like one long sentence:
between
columns of the library books--
sun rays find me
Even though there is a cut marker for a break, the whole haiku reads like one long sentence.
The haiku could be revised to read as follows:
a space
between the library books --
a ray of sun
The formula is: 3 lines; two ideas/images; 1 haiku.
The dash – (two hyphens) is an energetic break between the two statements. Always use two hyphens if you want to have a STRONG BREAK between the two ideas.
However, you can use three dots (...) as your kireji to show or demonstrate a slowing and running out of steam of a thought.
For example:
from deep in the forest
the crown birds sing wo-wang...
it is a new day
When reading a Japanese haiku aloud, you can read whilst breathing in until you reach the CUT, then read the rest while breathing out. That gives a natural rhythm and effortless flow. Take your cut to bring more depth, beauty, meaning, rhythm and melody to your haiku.
Practice using kireji either at the end of either the first or the second line until it becomes a normal part of your haiku and you no longer have to think about it.
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
.................................................................................
Haiku Lesson Three : Kire and Kireji
by Caleb Mutua
Introduction
Kire is the Japanese word for the "cut" or break between two parts of a haiku.
Kireji means "cutting word", "cut marker" or "cutting sign".
We know that one haiku consists of two ideas or images. The first of the two ideas takes the first line while the second takes the last two lines. Equally good, the first idea is written in the first two lines and the second idea comes in the last line. The kire (the break) shows where the first idea ends and the second idea begins. In English language haiku, the cut marker is often written like this -- (two hyphens).
The purpose of the CUT within a haiku is to cut the poem and show that there are two ideas. The cut is not a substitute or abbreviation for things you wanted to say and had to leave out because of the shortness of haiku. You have to decide what you really want to say, what is really important in your context, and say it all.
Remember this:
The haiku has TWO ideas,
separated by one SINGLE cut marker.
Example of a cut (kire) after line one:
sunny day --
teachers discussing
under a tree
Line 1 contains a statement. This statement is not continued in the following line; instead, we have a cut. Lines 2 and 3 are one phrase which can be read together.
Example of a cut (kire) after line two:
the sun emerging
from behind a cloud --
June showers
When you read, you will notice that lines 1 and 2 are one phrase; they belong together, while line 3 is on its own. Notice how the cut has separated lines 1 and 2 (which form one idea) from line three (which is another idea).
When you write your haiku and place the cut marker, ensure that the sentence does not run on but that there is a break. When you have put the kireji in your haiku and the text still runs on (the whole haiku still reads like one long sentence), then that kireji is not REAL!
For example, the kireji in the following haiku is not real because the whole haiku reads like one long sentence:
between
columns of the library books--
sun rays find me
Even though there is a cut marker for a break, the whole haiku reads like one long sentence.
The haiku could be revised to read as follows:
a space
between the library books --
a ray of sun
The formula is: 3 lines; two ideas/images; 1 haiku.
The dash – (two hyphens) is an energetic break between the two statements. Always use two hyphens if you want to have a STRONG BREAK between the two ideas.
However, you can use three dots (...) as your kireji to show or demonstrate a slowing and running out of steam of a thought.
For example:
from deep in the forest
the crown birds sing wo-wang...
it is a new day
When reading a Japanese haiku aloud, you can read whilst breathing in until you reach the CUT, then read the rest while breathing out. That gives a natural rhythm and effortless flow. Take your cut to bring more depth, beauty, meaning, rhythm and melody to your haiku.
Practice using kireji either at the end of either the first or the second line until it becomes a normal part of your haiku and you no longer have to think about it.
. HAIKU LESSONS
Caleb Mutua
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