On Enjoying Haiku
A Story/Lecture43 total reviews
Comment from tinams
Hi Alvin, I read this essay with much interest as I always have such trouble getting a Haiku right. I found the story amusing and interesting, but I am still very confused. Are you saying Haikus don't have to be 5-7-5? Wish I could afford the course but maybe next time :) Tina
reply by the author on 22-May-2012
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Hi Alvin, I read this essay with much interest as I always have such trouble getting a Haiku right. I found the story amusing and interesting, but I am still very confused. Are you saying Haikus don't have to be 5-7-5? Wish I could afford the course but maybe next time :) Tina
Comment Written 22-May-2012
reply by the author on 22-May-2012
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Haiku have to be 5/7/5 "on" in Japanese. "On" is a Japanese sound unit, shorter than a syllable. For instance, "n" is an "on", but not a syllable. 17 Japanese "on" translates to about 11-13 syllables in English. Thanks for the review; the course is offered in June AND in October.
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So surely a 3-5-3 is a truer Haiku then? :)
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It can be, but syllable count is a very minor issue in English language haiku. An "on" is more like a phoneme than a syllable.
Comment from Ekim777
We can only draw one conclusion that is, Haiku should be written in Japanese. What about the Buddhist aspect of man's relationship to the universe. Allow me to introduce one of mine. Forests on fire;/Frozen like grey battered ghosts/ Jerusalem's hills./
Some time ago I had a Haiku published in a Japanese magazine called Nippon. "Too far gone to dance/Too drunk to sing her praises/ He hugged the lamp post/
The Japanese do have a sense of humor. -Ekim777
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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We can only draw one conclusion that is, Haiku should be written in Japanese. What about the Buddhist aspect of man's relationship to the universe. Allow me to introduce one of mine. Forests on fire;/Frozen like grey battered ghosts/ Jerusalem's hills./
Some time ago I had a Haiku published in a Japanese magazine called Nippon. "Too far gone to dance/Too drunk to sing her praises/ He hugged the lamp post/
The Japanese do have a sense of humor. -Ekim777
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Yes, humor is a haiku technique I teach in my advanced haiku course. Congratuations on your publication. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Stalking Wolf
Not having any knowledge of haiku, the writer blends the words and meanings all together in an amusing manner that is catching and informational.
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Not having any knowledge of haiku, the writer blends the words and meanings all together in an amusing manner that is catching and informational.
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Thanks for an excellent review. Let me know if you would like information about classes.
Comment from RaymondJohn
This is very enjoyable for all the information and the light-hearted manner you have written your essay. I enjoyed it very much. I used to try to write Haiku and the Haiku police shot me down every time. Now I write 5-7-5 poetry once in a while. Great write. Ray.
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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This is very enjoyable for all the information and the light-hearted manner you have written your essay. I enjoyed it very much. I used to try to write Haiku and the Haiku police shot me down every time. Now I write 5-7-5 poetry once in a while. Great write. Ray.
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Thanks for an extraordinary review; coming from a writer as yourself, I am quite grateful. Are you going to teach some courses on this site?
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I don't know. I discovered that my course was picked up by a community college and so I couldn't use it on FanStory. Great to hear from you again. Ray.
Comment from sweetwoodjax
this is very well written, alvin, you did a great job writing this essay about the essence of enjoying haiku, i enjoyed reading it, so you're free of bruce san for a while, huh
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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this is very well written, alvin, you did a great job writing this essay about the essence of enjoying haiku, i enjoyed reading it, so you're free of bruce san for a while, huh
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Hardly--he lives inside my head. Thanks for an excellent review. Will I see you in a class again?
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i don't know--we've got a lot going on, moving next month and renting this house out.
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Good luck with all that--I know it's a hassle.
Comment from mr elis
This work is important for the readers interested in the Asian languages and customs,this goes to readers want to become bilingual to join the international organization.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2012
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This work is important for the readers interested in the Asian languages and customs,this goes to readers want to become bilingual to join the international organization.
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2012
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Thanks for understanding so well what I wanted to convey.
Comment from jennyindy
Finally!!! Thank You Alvin-san, for lifting the western smog off my brain. I am closer to understanding haiku than ever before.I know I would benefit greatly in your class.
This was a perfect example of how teaching by way of story and illustration really sounds down into the brain and doesn't get lost when out of sight. Your characters were engaging and unpretentious..allowing the reader to be a part of the diologue and bantering. I loved how you broke things down into breathing patterns and helped convey the goal of a true haiku.
Thank you so much for this witty educational write up!
Jenny
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Finally!!! Thank You Alvin-san, for lifting the western smog off my brain. I am closer to understanding haiku than ever before.I know I would benefit greatly in your class.
This was a perfect example of how teaching by way of story and illustration really sounds down into the brain and doesn't get lost when out of sight. Your characters were engaging and unpretentious..allowing the reader to be a part of the diologue and bantering. I loved how you broke things down into breathing patterns and helped convey the goal of a true haiku.
Thank you so much for this witty educational write up!
Jenny
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Thanks for an extraordinary review; I am most appreciative.
Comment from jlsavell
AlvinTheington, goodneess, I savored and sipped every word you wrote here. You must be an incredible teacher. The storyline was exceptional as you reveal the mechanics of writing a haiku. I am sure that many who read this are going to the drawing board, most definitely I am. Thank you so much for sharing and if I really had the time, I would join your class, but I do not. However, now I will retunr to writng a much more informed writer.. thank you, thank you
jlsavell
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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AlvinTheington, goodneess, I savored and sipped every word you wrote here. You must be an incredible teacher. The storyline was exceptional as you reveal the mechanics of writing a haiku. I am sure that many who read this are going to the drawing board, most definitely I am. Thank you so much for sharing and if I really had the time, I would join your class, but I do not. However, now I will retunr to writng a much more informed writer.. thank you, thank you
jlsavell
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Thanks for an excellent review; I always enjoy your writing.
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I am an amateur compared to you my friend, just a little old amateur..
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I give you more credit than that!
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you are so funny and sweet, but I do not.. I know my limits friend, I know my limits
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that being said, I always tell people that once you know your limits, you just tell them to get out of yuor way and go charging!!!
Comment from mommerry
Your essay was a short course in itself and done with humor. If your class is as much fun as this read, your students are in for a real treat as they expand their knowledge of poetry. Good job.
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Your essay was a short course in itself and done with humor. If your class is as much fun as this read, your students are in for a real treat as they expand their knowledge of poetry. Good job.
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 21-May-2012
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Thanks. Yes, the introductory class is fun, and I am offering it again in June. Would you like to have fun with us? Thanks again for an excellent review.
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Thanks. Yes, the introductory class is fun, and I am offering it again in June. Would you like to have fun with us? Thanks again for an excellent review.
Comment from robyn corum
Very interesting. A whole course in one sitting! Great job. It's always easier to teach through example than through discourse and you did a great job here.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2012
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Very interesting. A whole course in one sitting! Great job. It's always easier to teach through example than through discourse and you did a great job here.
Comment Written 21-May-2012
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2012
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Thanks for understanding so well what I wanted to convey.