Haiku

Definition

A haiku is a traditional Japanese short poem written in a 5 7 5 syllabic structure and usually broken up into two or three lines. The themes of a haiku often revolve around nature and seasons. To be a proper haiku, it must contain a season word kigo which indicates which season the haiku is set in. Additionally, each of the lines must be a thought on its own.

Example

Matsuo Bashô: Frog Haiku

 Furu ike ya
 kawazu tobikomu
 mizu no oto

This is one of the most translated Japanese haikus<ref>Translations of Basho's Frog One translation of this poem by Lafcadio Hearn is:

 Old pond
 frogs jumped in
 sound of water.

In this case, the frog is the season word which references spring.Analysis of Basho's frog Here, the translator decided to work to preserve the essence of the Japanese rather than enforce a strict pattern to it.