haikaiTALKS: a saturday gathering! 11th April 2026 Guest poet: Keiko Izawa

haikaiTALKS: Japanese aesthetics – Mujō|a saturday gathering under the banyan tree

A Disclaimer

Responsibility for the originality of the haikai rests solely with the submitting poet. 

If anyone feels that it is similar to another haikai, they are encouraged to contact the relevant poet directly.

Triveni Haikai India will take any action as recommended by the submitting poet.

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Please note: Keiko Izawa won't be here to comment on each haiku, as she has for so many months. I'm still repeating certain posts because I felt we all need to put on Keiko's hat and look at each haiku posted, then share our comments. Shall we all take up this challenge? I have no words to thank Keiko for all the time and effort she has spent with us here. From the first week of May, Lev Hart is coming back as our guest editor.

Welcome, Lev.

haikaiTALKS 

Special Guest Poet: Keiko Izawa

host: Srinivasa Sambangi

haikaiTALKS: a saturday gathering under the banyan tree

11th April 2026

Japanese aesthetics – Mujō 

The concept of impermanence, known as mujō, is a perspective on life that reflects the transient nature of all beings and things. It encourages an awareness of the constant change in our surroundings. While mujō is rooted in Buddhist teachings, it is also regarded as a significant aesthetic concept in Japan. A famous line from "The Tale of the Heike," often taught in schools in Japan, captures this idea: "The sound of the bell at Gion Shōja echoes the impermanence of all things."

Japan's four seasons embody the constant changes of life, fostering a unique perspective on impermanence. Flowers bloom and then wither, snow accumulates and eventually melts. Likewise, rivers across the country often exemplify impermanence due to their swift and unstoppable flow.

Mujō appreciates the beauty of small changes as they occur, rather than clinging to the desire for things to remain the same. In a similar vein, there's a reminder in the West: "memento mori," a Latin phrase that means "remember death." This can also be understood as a perspective on impermanence. Mono no aware (pathos of things), which relates to the concept of mujō, is often described as the involuntary sigh that arises when one recognizes the impermanence of nature and humanity.

This week, you are requested to write up to two haiku that incorporate the concept of mujō.

As usual, try to use kigo from the lists below. You can also use your local season words that are not listed here.

“A Dictionary of Haiku Classified by Season Words with Traditional and Modern Methods,” by Jane Reichhold:

https://thehaikufoundation.org/omeka/files/original/7fb6654a1dfd1afef97369da920530f8.pdf

Indian subcontinent SAIJIKI:

https://www.trivenihaikai.in/indian-saijiki

The Five Hundred Essential Japanese Season Words:

http://www.2hweb.net/haikai/renku/500ESWd.html

The World Kigo Database:

https://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/

The Yuki Teikei Haiku Season Word List:

https://yths.org/season-word-list/

Samples:

やがて死ぬ けしきは見えず 蝉の声

yagate shinu / keshiki wa miezu / semi no koe

so brisk

with no signs of soon dying –

cicada’s cry

~ Basho

散る桜 残る桜も 散る桜

chiru sakura / nokoru sakura mo / chiru sakura

fallen cherry petals ...

the rest

also destined to fall

                                        ~ Ryōkan

ひぐらしや 錆ゆくものの 家中に 

higurashi ya / sabiyuku mono no / iejū ni

evening cicada –

everywhere in the house

rusting things

                                         ~ Katayama Yumiko

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KIGO WORDS

Let's include a kigo word in all the poems we share here.

Give the season and the word — under your poem. 

For seasonal references, please check these lists:

“A Dictionary of Haiku Classified by Season Words with Traditional and Modern Methods,” by Jane Reichhold:

https://thehaikufoundation.org/omeka/files/original/7fb6654a1dfd1afef97369da920530f8.pdf

indian subcontinent SAIJIKI:

https://www.trivenihaikai.in/indian-saijiki

The Five Hundred Essential Japanese Season Words:

http://www.2hweb.net/haikai/renku/500ESWd.html

The World Kigo Database:

https://wkdkigodatabase03.blogspot.com/

The Yuki Teikei Haiku Season Word List:

https://yths.org/season-word-list/

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Thanks, Keiko! Another beautiful post. Thanks a lot.

I hope our poets take the challenge and create a haiku on these lines! Keenly looking forward to this month.

Greatly indebted to you.

Dear Members,

Please provide your feedback on others' commentary and poems as well.

We are continuing haikaiTALKS in full swing!

Keep writing and commenting! _kala