Welcome to the Creative Ideas' Haiku Page.
This page contains Haiku poetry and art. See the links to the Haiku Sampler, Nuances of Nothing, and Haiku Explored below.
Haiku is a short poem that originated in Japan. It began as the hokku or the first link of a renga which was a series of linked poems. On the surface, its focus is on a particular time and place and uses plain language. However its simplicity belies its depth. The form is replete with symbolism, allegory, allusion, transcendence, Zen, and in attempting to express the essence of a moment, creates in the reader a moment of realization. This may be because a of the juxtaposition of ideas, images, or emotional content and so, for a moment, in the mind or heart of the reader, there is a similar resonant experience.
The format in Japanese is 5-7-5 syllables on three lines and has a seasonal word. The foreign language writer usually strives for the essence of haiku without strict adherence to the 17 syllable count. I have heard that this situation exists because many in the America saw Haiku for the first time only after it had been translated into English. The syllable count of course would not "translate" well and thus American Haiku tends to be more "liberal".For interesting modern Haiku see: Simply Haiku
.......... 1.A sampler of Haiku: A set of Haiku which you might find enjoyable
2. Nuances of Nothing: A look into what nothing has to do with Haiku3. Haiku Explored: An analysis of some basic elements of Haiku
4. Haiku Links: Are listed right below on this page
5. Haiku Cards: Are shown on this page.
1. Shiki Internet Haiku SalonIntroduction. Mailing Lists. Shiki. Kim's Haiku World. Kametaro Yagi. Kukai. Contest.
This is a new web publication that has extensive articles and resources for those interested in Haiku, it is worth looking through.
This is a wonderful site with many Haiku by one who is considered the greatest by many Haiku writers today.
This is a modern Haiku writer. I know him and he is quite good. You will find out much of what is going on in Haiku by looking through this site.
5. Haiku and Tanka/Related sites
This is a massive site with much to explore. Many good sites are found here. Some I have found already and are in this list, but check it out.
6. The Haiku Society of America
This is a group that would be your first stop to find out all you might want to know about events and readings around the nation. For the time being their website is down and so I have found this site which has links leading one to some of their online resources.
7. Dogwood Blossoms, a Haiku magazine on the web
This is a good idea and allows one to view copies of the magazine, and thus see modern writers of Haiku at their best. A well made site, easy to use.
This is a good site to learn something of the history of Haiku. There are some good links from this site as well.
9. Haiku Spirit
Haiku Spirit is an online incarnation of the journal published by the Dublin Writers' Workshop, Ireland's oldest community of writers & its first online, with haiku, haibun, articles & reviews.
10. The Shiki Internet Haiku Salon
There's something for everybody here, from the most elementary beginning introduction to haiku, to essays "On making haiku," "On ants and poets" & on "The Importance of Season-Words," to a collection of information about Shiki Masaoka, for whom the salon is named.
At Elizabeth St. Jacques' site you will find a large & lovely collection of haiku, haibun, renga, tanka & sijo, plus articles like Ms. St. Jacques' own "Rhythm in Haiku?"
12. Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, or "100 Poems By 100 Poets"
The cooperative Japanese Text Initiative from the University of Virginia & the University of Pittsburgh has produced this on-line version of the most famous, if not definitive, collection of classical Japanese tanka, chosen from the 7th to the 13th centuries.
Brooks' English-Language Haiku Web Site - English language Haiku, Haiku poets and Haiku publications.
This is the "Haiku Corner of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago" A good sampling of quality work, and they seek Haiku, Links for Haiku, and would like to expand their site, it would seem.
15. The Yuki Teikei Haiku Society
This is a good resource for finding activities and events in the southern region of the San Francisco Bay Area.
16. Chaba - an electronic haiku journal
Edited by John Hudak
Chaba is an electronic haiku journal focusing on modern haiku and senryu including essays on style and technique. instead of issues, chaba consists of a constant web page that will be updated regularly.
By Mark Alan Osterhaus
Contents: Haiku, Journals, Anthologies, Poets, Essays and Papers, Groups and Associations, and Research. This is such a broad based site that you should consider exploring its links for a truly panoramic view of the world of Haiku.
English language haiku magazine, Modern Haiku. This magazine has been around for decades, and the site is worth visiting, for the writing alone.
19. Links to Haiku Sites by Jane Reichold
This site has a detailed definition, and a large number of links concerning definitions, forms, history, and more.
20. A Journey through the History of Haiku
This site provides one with a sampling of Haiku Poets predating Basho, continuing on through Buson, Shiki, Kyoshi, and those in more recent, modern times.
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Only the moonlight slant across her empty table
at the one AM chime
Gold crescent into tree silhouettes;
frosty breath rises away!
On the wall outside bamboo shadows wave in breeze
I can't hear or feel
nameless flowers outside my garden visited
by bees, none the less
Yellow flowers here
where one would least expect them,
to much company
homeward boundon the handrail of the old bridge
tears break
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