International Haiku Poetry Day
Write your own Haiku. Take in other poet’s works.
Inspire creative expression and cultural learning by positioning your brand as a gateway to Japanese poetry and language mastery during International Haiku Poetry Day.
- Share user-generated haiku poems featuring your product or service in 5-7-5 syllables
- Partner with language-learning apps to offer haiku-writing challenges that drive engagement
- Host a virtual haiku workshop or poetry reading event to build community and brand affinity
- Create educational content about haiku history and Masaoka Shiki to establish thought leadership in arts & culture
The history of International Haiku Poetry Day traces the origin of this beautiful, yet simple, form of poetry.
Haiku was originally found as the opening to another form of Japanese poetry called a Rengu. It took until the mid-1600’s for Hokku, the form Haiku was found in at this time, to start appearing independently from its parent form, Renga, and its Renku roots.
In the late 1800’s Hokku was renamed to Haiku when it appeared independently by the famous Japanese poet, author, and literary critic, Masaoka Shiki.
Although Shiki only lived a short 35 years, he is credited with the writing of almost 20,000 stanzas, which is quite an accomplishment. He was considered to be one of the first great Haiku Masters.
Two other masters who were responsible for elevating the form of Haiku poetry to an independent art form are Matsuo Bashō and Ueshima Onitsura.
These two were considered Masters of Poetry, and helped to promote Haiku so that it was appreciated and understood, even outside of its original context of Renku.
So important was Basho to the history of Haiku that he was considered to be a ‘Saint of Poetry’ 100 years after his death.
Write a Haiku Poem
Get out a pen and paper, wander in and out of nature, and wait for something to bring a little bit of inspiration! Haiku Poetry is about the beauty that can be captured in short, simple stanzas. With its unique style (five syllables on the first line, seven on the second, and five again on the third), anyone can write a Haiku poem. However, it sometimes takes a true master to capture the heart and mind in the space of 17 syllables.
Read a Book of Haiku Poetry
For those who are feeling less inspired to create their own poetry, reading Haiku written by others is a great way to enjoy the day. Here are a few to get started with: Japanese Haiku Poems (2003) by Peter Washington The Haiku Anthology (1974) by Cor van den HeuvelThe Essential Haiku (1994) by Robert Hass Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry (2010) by Judith Patt
Learn a Bit of Japanese
For those who are feeling particularly adventurous (or for those who already know Japanese) get even deeper into the craft by trying to write in the original language. Today, people who want to learn a new language have more opportunities than ever to access lessons through apps and online formats, as well as the ability to communicate with native speakers through the internet! Try these ideas for learning Japanese: Duolingo.This free app is a great way to learn Japanese as it offers beginner and intermediate options. Learning comes through pictures, listening and repeating important key phrases about a variety of topics.Busuu. Another app for language learning, this one claims that 22 hours spent on the app are equal to an entire semester of college-level language learning. It includes full language courses as well as opportunities to converse with native speakers all over the world. I Will Teach You a Language. This method is very different in that it uses the power of story to not only teach the language but also give a peek into how to be a cultural insider. International Haiku Poetry Day is a great opportunity to let your creativity flow, and really begin to appreciate the complexities of life refined down to simplicity. Who knows? You could become the next Haiku Master!