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Monthly Archives: September 2010
WORKING WITH PATTERNS
In studying contemplative hokku, a very good way to begin learning is by using patterns. Patterns are hokku “frameworks” that we can use for writing countless new hokku. By using them we learn the feel of the hokku form, and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged autumn, fish, haikai, hokku, larks, Onitsura, patterns, scarecrows, Shiki, smoke, spring
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HOKKU IS NOT “WRITING POETRY”
I have written previously about this statement by R. H. Blyth on hokku. He tells us that a hokku “…is the result of the wish, the effort, not to speak, not to write poetry, not to obscure further the truth … Continue reading
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Tagged Boshō, chestnuts, haikai, hokku, nature, poetry, R. H. Blyth, writing, zen
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HOKKU NO ES HAIKU, Y VICEVERSA
Thanks to the kindness and cleverness of a reader named Giovanni Jara, here is a Spanish translation of a couple of my postings on the important differences between hokku and modern haiku. They recently appeared in a Spanish online magazine, … Continue reading
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IT’S STILL THE SAME OLD STORY
Yesterday I discussed three “Western” calendar systems relevant to hokku — the traditional calendar, the meteorological calendar, and the “natural” calendar. The first is astronomical, and depends on the relationship between the sun and the earth; the second shows us … Continue reading
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Tagged autumn, Autumn Equinox, Bealtaine, Candlemas, China calendar, fall, Great Yule, haikai, Halloween, Harvest Home, hokku, hokku calendar, hokku seasons, Imbolc, japan calendar, Lammas, Lughnasadh, May Day, Midsummer, Misummer's Day, Samhain, spring, Spring Equinox, summer, Summer Solstice, winter, Winter Solstice
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THE NATURE OF HOKKU
R. H. Blyth gives a good summary of the characteristics — the nature — of hokku. In that summary we find: 1. Willing limitations (hokku is not “all things to all men” and has willingly-accepted standards and boundaries). 2. … Continue reading
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Tagged haikai, hokku, poetry, poverty, simplicity, writing, zen
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FALLING LEAVES AND WILD GEESE
Today I would like to discuss two hokku that are somewhat similar in effect. Originally one was an autumn hokku, the other a winter hokku. The explanation lies in old Japanese verse, with its somewhat artificial system of “season words” … Continue reading
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Tagged autumn, fall, fallen leaves, falling leaves, Gyôdai, haikai, haiku, hokku, Kyoroku, poetry, rain, seasons, wild geese, writing, zen
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