The Japanese Haiku was once so rigid that not only a certain format needed to be followed,  but the Mora had to be precise as well.  Through many years, transitions have changed and yet come full circle as well for the Haiku writing.

In a typical Haiku the flowing of the first line and the second seem to be connected in some way with the third line going in a  slightly different area.  One can also see the modern Haiku as the first line being the varied line while the second and third seem to flow together more profoundly. This pattern is called juxtapostional structure.  There might be contrast or comparison during the juxtapostional  writing. The kireji is the cutting word that creates this shift or separation of the Haiku. 

The construction of Haiku so often,  is about seasons making points using snow or other atmospheric conditions.  Even the Haiku can be appreciated off season, however,  an author of a Haiku might keep in mind that those seasons are not uniform around the world.  What might be summertime one part of the globe, will be winter in another. Four seasons are a popular topic of writing Haiku.

For many seasoned Haiku artists, the Haiku is an unfinished piece of prose since it expresses solid images from emotions stated.  While studying Haiku you  might come across many writers that agree that a Haiku should be what you see, not what you feel.  With these contrasting and conflicting recommendations from long ago, we have now adopted our own Haiku style.

Since Haiku is both singular and plural,  it is not necessary to add an “S” on the end or adjust it in any other way. The traditional Haiku  flows with a Mora or rhythm of 5-7-5 in a vertical presentation.  In the Japanese language the work Haiku has three sounds where as in English it has two.  Haiku in English translates from haikai, stating the three sounds in that word in the Japanese language.   With this knowledge, we can understand how many changes in the Haiku can actually be still called a traditional Japanese Haiku.

Deceptively simple, the Haiku must be maintained in only the 17 sounds that we Americans call syllables.  Well done Haiku presents the reader with a clear picture for themselves from the few lines given by the author.  Truly subjective art form, the Haiku intrigues many to compose and create their own masterpiece.

Studying  such Haiku masters as :  Basho Matsuo, Shiki Masaoka, Suju Takano  and Ippekiro Nakatsuka can bring you to a new awareness for the appreciation of the Haiku writing. You certainly notice each of the aforementioned artists is Japanese or at least has a Japanese sounding name. Many books depict the art form of the Haiku as well.  Mentioning “The Dharma Bums” by Jack Kerouac might enlighten you to understand the complexity of the Haiku and fine tune your awareness for appreciation of the Haiku.