Warm Up

1. Warm Up • If you had to describe yourself using one, simple image, what would it be? Why? You may draw the image if you like.

2. Daily Objective • Today I will infer the meaning of universal truths in Haikus by writing a paragraph response to six poems and creating my own Haikus

3. Haikus

4. History • Haiku is a form of poetry that was developed during the Tokugawa period in Japan (1603-1867). Therefore, it existed during the Romantic period that was occurring in Europe.

5. History • Haiku form originated as a comic style, but by the 17th Century it had evolved into a serious art form.

6. Key Elements and Form • In contrast to the Romantic writers’ natural and individualistic prose, the Haiku form has a very strict structure: 17 syllables. Arranged in 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.

7. Key Elements and Form • However, like the romantics, Haiku writers often use nature as their inspiration, albeit for different purposes.

8. Key Elements and Form • Romantic writers sought a personal, introspective relation to nature, whereas the Japanese Haiku writers explored universal truths expressed in nature.

9. Although the Haiku form is very strict, when translated into English, the poem will often deviate from its original form (as we will see in our reading).

10. In the six poems we will look at, the poets share their thoughts about simple images such as a wintry day, a skylark, lotus flowers and wind. However, although the images are “simple,” the universal truths the poets explore transcend the images themselves.

11. Universal Truths • Here are some “universal truths” (themes) that may be expressed in Haiku poetry: • Transience of life/passing of time (nothing lasts, including life itself) • Harmony with nature • Serenity • Conflict

12. Example of Structure (5) A cold morning breeze (7) Enters a crack in the wall (5) Hairs stand on my arm