Get up and walk outside. Take a moment to look around. What little details do you notice right now, that you miss everyday because you are in a hurry rushing here or there? Find a special moment, feeling or image with in nature. Close your eyes and picture it. Think - how do you feel? What is important about this image - the details? Is there a secret or a surprising detail about the image? Does it have a story to tell?
Traditional Japanese Haiku poetry is composed of 17 units divided into three parts (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables). Japanese Haiku poets write their poems in one line; however, in English Haiku each part is written on a separate line. It is important to divide the three parts to allow the reader time to form an image in their mind.
Five Syllables
Seven Syllables
Five Syllables
November 29
Ridiculous:
another blizzard; the world
goes quietly white
December 18
Moonlight casts a pale
blue light on the snow, winter
perfect, cold and brisk
December 26
The bare limbs of the
trees shiver in the wind and
speak in semaphore
Source: de Lint, Charles (2002). Winter Haiku. retrieved online April 2012 from http://www.endicott-studio.com/cofhs/chhaiku.html
I liked the tutorial but why is it in photography? Good information about the traditional structure and connection between the various lines in the haiku.
Thank you for your comments. The connection to photography comes from using photographs to inspire poetry. I encourage students to take a camera and go for a walk. The challenge is to find what inspires them (moves them emotionally) and write about it. Combining these two wonderful art forms can be very powerful. It is nice to see the printed photo and the Haiku displayed together.
Jennifer!
I really enjoyed your presentation and think that this tutorial is really helpful!
I especially found your instructions regarding how to enter into framing a haiku and connecting it to the natural world to be very centering and clearly articulated! This really put me in a calm and reflective place.
One thought to beef up your presentation, especially on a sofia project, would be to incorporate some of these stunningly beautiful haikus into a visualized experience. Maybe overlay them on top of complimentary images and create a slideshow link?
Brett - I really like the slideshow idea. That would be an excellent way to add that needed visual. I tried to think of something else to add and did not come up with anything exciting! Your idea fits, thanks.
