How to Write English Haiku
We are publishing "How to Write English Haiku."
Just as Japanese haiku have rules, so too do English haiku. Here, we will briefly introduce points to note regarding expression, or points that we would like you to consider.
1. Do not use capitalization even at the beginning of a line, and do not use a period at the end of a line
Except for proper nouns and "I", all letters should be lowercase. Also, a period at the end of a line is unnecessary.
2. Write in three lines
While Japanese haiku are written in one line, English haiku are written in three lines.
3. Aim for approximately 2-3-2 syllables in each of the three lines
Japanese haiku are created with a total of 17 syllables: "5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables." However, for English haiku, it is generally considered good to have approximately "2-3-2" syllables in each line. Therefore, it is advisable to use short words with fewer syllables. (Because English words tend to be longer)
(A syllable is a unit of sound consisting of a vowel or a vowel accompanied by consonants before and after it. In dictionaries, it is indicated by a dot or hyphen, like pen・cil.)
4. You may include a "kireji" (cutting word) in a haiku
"Kireji" are equivalents to "kana" or "keri" found in Japanese haiku, which express emotion or exclamation. In English haiku, a dash (–) or a colon (:) is placed at the end of a line to convey the lingering emotion.
5. Avoid using "I" as much as possible
In English haiku, objective description is valued above all else. This is because if the author appears in the work, the scope of the work's world becomes limited. Similarly, proper nouns can also limit the image of the work, so it is safer to avoid using them.
6. "Be" verbs, articles, and prepositions may be omitted
By doing so, the expression becomes concise, and it also prevents the work from becoming prosaic.
7. Use the present tense
English haiku emphasize expressions that "capture the scene before one's eyes right now" as "a single photograph." Therefore, verbs should be in the present tense, not future or past.
8. You do not necessarily need to adhere strictly to English grammar
As mentioned in point 5, adhering too strictly to so-called English grammar will make the work prosaic. Instead of grammar, aim to build up each line with a clear image centered around nouns.
9. Incorporate a sense of season
To incorporate a sense of season, when creating haiku in Japanese, "kigo" (seasonal words) are included according to a "Saijiki" (seasonal word almanac), but for English haiku, this is not necessarily required.
To summarize the above key points, when writing English haiku, it is important "to not be overly concerned with English grammar, and to describe the scene before your eyes right now as if taking a photograph, each in a short three-line English sentence."
We look forward to many of you submitting your haiku to the Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum English Haiku Contest.
The application guidelines will be announced on our website.