Haiku
Haiku are a classic form of Japanese poetry. The rules for haiku are very strict. They
contain three phrases, the first of 5 syllables, a middle of 7 syllables, and an ending
of 5 syllables. In Japan, all three phrases are written on one line. Usually, haiku are
written about nature. In modern times, though, haiku can be written about
anything. A writer named Bashō might be the most famous writer of Haiku.
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An example of classic haiku by Bashō:
In Japanese:
古池や蛙飛込む水の音
Pronounced:
Furu ike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto
In English:
an old pond
a frog jumps
the sound of water
Your assignment is to create a haiku poem about Tokugawa Japan using the
information you have learned from the “Japan Returns to Isolation,”
worksheet. After you have created your haiku, draw a picture illustrating your
poem.
Example:
Fighting warriors
Over some time turned to peace
A unified land