triveni spotlight: 25th October 2023

triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY! hosts: Kala Ramesh and Vidya Shankar GUEST EDITOR: Keiko Izawa 25th October 2023

keshi hiraku kami no saki made sabishiki toki

poppies bloom

when I’m lonely

up to my hair tips

Takako Hashimoto (1899 – 1963)

from Saishin Haiku Saijuiki by Bungei Shunjū

poppy: early summer kigo in Japanese saijiki

During this month, I’d like to introduce contemporary Japanese haiku, including kigo, which are referred to as “yūki haiku(有季俳句)”. In yūki haiku, toriawase (matching kigo and the remaining phrases) is the key point, not to mention its creativity and originality. In my view, Japanese haiku are generally simple compared to English (language) haiku, but the subtle sensibility is embedded within as the synergies with the power of kigo. I hope you enjoy karumi (lightness) blended with seasonality in these haiku.

Keiko Izawa

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Thank you for being our next guest editor Keiko Izawa You are bringing something fresh and this is going to be a treat for all our members. _()_