haikaiTALKS: a saturday gathering! 25th April 2026
- Kala Ramesh
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 26
haikaiTALKS: Japanese aesthetics and YOU|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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haikaiTALKS
Special Guest Poet: All our poets here!
host: Srinivasa Sambangi
haikaiTALKS: a saturday gathering under the banyan tree
25th April 2026
Japanese aesthetics and YOU
Dear members,
First and foremost, I thank Keiko for being with us for all these months. Not only sharing her knowledge, but being here most faithfully through the month, with the poems posted here, in her gentle way. Now, this week, we are alone without here - a child at her first day of school - learning to fend for herself.
Shall we all try to take one aesthetic nuance we have done here, give a brief explanation of what that nuance is (in your own words), quote one example from Keiko's lessons, and post your haiku? Give it a shot.
Please comment on others' poems.
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KIGO WORDS
Shall we please try to include a kigo word in all the poems we share here?
Give the season and the word — under your poem.
I'm quoting Lev Hart's request here: "This week’s goal is to compose two verses with toriawase, blending wabi, sabi, karumi, mono no aware, and/or yugen. Tell us which aesthetic concepts you mean to express in a line below the verse. Strive for originality. Avoid stock phrases and shopworn images."
For seasonal references, please check these lists:
“A Dictionary of Haiku Classified by Season Words with Traditional and Modern Methods,” by Jane Reichhold:
indian subcontinent SAIJIKI:
The Five Hundred Essential Japanese Season Words:
The World Kigo Database:
The Yuki Teikei Haiku Season Word List:
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I hope our poets take the challenge and create a haiku on these lines! Keenly looking forward to this week!!
Dear Members,
So, let's keep trying.
Please provide your feedback on others' commentary and poems as well.
We are continuing haikaiTALKS in full swing!
Keep writing and commenting! _kala
#1. 30/4/26
with his perfume
down the elevator
hazy moon
Sumitra Kumar
India
Kigo: hazy moon
Aesthetic: Fueki-ryūkō
Post #2
29.4.26
sakura breeze —
cherry blossoms swirl
around mother’s grave
Aesthetic :mono no aware
Mona Bedi
India
Feedback appreciated:)
Revised
thunderstorm
the gentle snores
of one-eyed chook
Kanjini Devi, NZ
#2 - 29/04/26
thunderstorm
the one-eyed chook purrs
in my bedroom
Kanjini Devi, NZ
kigo - it is autumn here but I suppose a thunderstorm can occur in any season
aesthetic - karumi
#2
Edited, thanks to Marilyn and Kanjini
hanging
from a budded branch…
cloth cradle
Raji Vijayaraghavan
India
Original
warm midday…
the hanging cloth cradle
from the branch
Raji Vijayaraghavan
India
Kigo: Spring (warm as listed)
Aesthetics: Toriawase, ma
Keiko’s words:
Poets,
To strengthen ma, careful attention should be given to the pairing (toriawase) of elements. When the images rely on simple analogy or close resemblance, the connection resolves too easily. A slightly wider distance between them — enough to prevent direct explanation — allows ma to emerge more fully.
As you write, consider not only what you include, but also what you allow to remain open.
In that openness, ma begins to breathe.
2
afternoon thunder . . .
a puddle of goslings
spring kigo: goslings
aesthetics: karumi, toriawase