Haiku
At Japan Expo The celebration of joy Is said in Haiku
Haiku, previously called Hokku, is a form of Japanese poetry which conveys deep meanings through the purity and simplicity of its style. Created in its present form by Matsuo BASHÔ in the 17th century, the Haiku has become more modern and was made popular world wide thanks to the poet Shiki MASAOKA in the late 19th century.
How to write Haiku
Haiku is a spiritual training above all and a rather simple form of poetry which conceals wordplay that may be quite complex in Japanese (Kanji and Kana).
A Haiku is made of 17 moras (or syllables), written vertically. It may also be written in the art of calligraphy with sober ornamentations.
In the occidental fashion, Haiku has been given the shape, judged as too strict by some, of three lines of 5, 7 and 5 moras, which makes a total of 17.
This is the most famous example, by the poet Matsuo BASHÔ:
fu / ru / i / ke / ya
(5)
Kawazu tobikomu
ka / wa / zu / to / bi / ko / mu
(7)
Mizu no oto
mi / zu / no / o / to
(5)
(Old pond, a frog leaps in, water’s sound.)
Let’s see what it looks like the occidental way:
A broken signboard banging
In the April wind.
(Richard Wright, collected in Haiku: This Other World)
Hox to take part?
The aim is easy, send us a Haiku, respecting the following rules:
- Theme: Joy and Serenity
- Format: A5 (half of an A4 sheet)
- Form: 3 lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables, vertically or horizontally
- Constraints: Your Haiku has to be written in calligraphy, with some ornamentations if you wish. Yet ornamentations are not the most important thing when judging your Haiku!
- Don’t forget... Be poetic!
This is an example created for you by Japan Expo’s poet!
Summer beginning
The sunshine makes me happy
Soothing time of bliss
(Beautiful, isn’t it? !)
NB: You don’t have to use the words Joy and Serenity in your Haiku.
At the end of each session of the contest, two winners will be chosen according to the quality of their Haiku (the poetic value) and also to the presentation. The winners will win one invitation each for one day of their choice at Japan Expo as well as a DVD or a Manga to be withdrawn at the Contest Spot during the festival (DVDs and Manga will not be sent by mail)!
All the Haiku by all the participants will be displayed at Japan Expo!
Mail participation
Send your Haiku to the following address:
Concours de Haiku
14 place Georges POMPIDOU
93160 Noisy-le-Grand - FRANCE
Don’t forget to write your name, first name, age and address at the back of your Haiku!
Frequency: three sessions are organized until June 12th:
- From March 22nd to April 17th.
- From April 18th to May 15th.
- From May 16th to June 12th.
All the Haiku sent after June 12th, considering the postmark, will not enter the contest.
First session
Here are the first winning Haiku:
Click to enlarge
Séréna KAZUBEK
Ce son agréable
Douce mélodie enchantée
Qu'exprime le silence
Rachel MAINA
Flamme du bonheur
Rechauffe mon petit coeur
Pur instant rêveur
Congratulations and thanks to everyone!
Second session
The wining Haiku of the second session are:
Click to enlarge
© All rights reserved
Alena GOETZMANN
Un rire d'enfant
Se mêle aux remous des vagues
Echo de la vie
© All rights reserved
Pauline FILIBERTI
Dans ce beau jardin
Je regarde le ciel et vois
Ce que les mots taisent
The choice was very hard.
Congratulations to the winners!
Third session
To end this contest, here are the last winning Haiku:
Click to enlarge
Caroline TUONG
Deux vois étrangères
Unies dans un chant complice
Harmonie trouvée
Julie HANG
Simple et pur plaisir
Qu'est ton doux et sage sourire
Instant fait pour vivre
The choice was very hard.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.: Will you give the names of the winners?
A.: Yes, the winners are going to be announced at the end of the contest as well as the Haiku.
Q.: When are the results given?
A.: They should be given a week after the end of each session of the contest at the latest.
Q.: Can the Haiku be sent by e-mail?
A.: No, this contest is only by mail.
Please wait...